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durrn� any cigbt-bour work shift is no more than 0.05 mg/m . Cal/OSHA's second limit is a 0.1 mg/m, "etiling limit" which must never be exceeded for any period of time. u think that you may be overexposed, talk to your su- ,isor and/or your union. If any state, county, or local government employee might be exposed to a substance at more than the legal limit, the employer must measure the amount of the chemical prescut in the air in the work area (CaVOSHA regulation GISO 5155). You have the right to see the results relevant to your work area (GISO 32M I Cal records and records of your exposure to toxic sub� s=cc& The= records am important in de-ternumn whether your health has been affected by your work. Employers who have such records must keep them and make them available to you for at least 30 yeks after the end of your employment, REDUCING YOUR IXPOSURE Your employer is required to protea you from being ex- posed to merenry at levels above the legal limits. For in- formation about how Cal/OSHA and CaVOSHA Con- sultation Service can help you and your employer, see the "Resources" section on page 4. Ips: An emergency reponse procedure should be :gated for areas where spills of liquid mercury can occur. Spilled mercury should be collected promptly. It is much easier to dean up spills on floors that do not have cracks or seams. Rugs should not be used in areas where mercury can be spilled, because rugs can absorb substan- tial amounts of spilled mercury, which will slowly evap- orate to contaminate the workplace air. If a spill occurs: • People not involved in the cltanup should leave the immediate area. • Windows should be opened to help ventilate the arm. • Do not use a regular vacuum dance to dean up a spill; regular vacuum cleaners well spread mercury around the room and increase airborne contamination. a large spills can be suctioned into a wash Douce trap partially filled with water, or you can use a mercury spill cleanup kit commercially available from a safety equipment supplier. A wash bottle trap or a cleanup kit should always be on hand, and you should be trained to use them ® After all visible mercury has been collected, the area should be washed with it calcium poly- snlfide solution (about 24 tablespoons of limit sulhu per gallon of water), then washed with a detergent solution, and rinsed✓" • Following cleanup, the area should be moni- tored using a mercury sniffer. The employer an contact the Cal/OSHA Consultation Service (a non -enforcement agency) to request a worksite visit to assess whether cleanup has been ade- quate (see "Resources" on page 4). Safe Work Praetiees: Safe work practices can greatly reduce your exposure to mercury. Store mercury in unbreakable containers in a cool, dry, well ventilated arm away from heat. Keep containers of liquid mercury ns tightly sealed, and place suitable metal or plastic pa under mercury equipment to reduce hazards from spills. Sealed waste containers (rather than open ones) can m�nirnbr vapors escaping into the room. Do Dot heat mercury. When .heated, li quid mttcury evaporates more rapidly. Dangerous levels of mercury in the air may result. ona] hygiene will help prevent exposure of Good pers yourself and others. Always wash your bands before Dating, drinking, or smoking. Mercury on your hands or under your fingernails is a dangerous source of exposure. If liquid mercury is spilled on you, change out of con- taminated clothing to avoid spreading the contamination to your home. ErrgiaeerinY Controls: When possible, employers must trsc cn&i"ee ng and administrative controls rather than personal protective equipment to prevent overexposure. Engineering control methods include installing ventila- tion and changing the work process. Certain work processus can be isolated, enclosed, or automated to reduce exposures Local exhaust ventilation systems ("hoods") are the most effective type of ventilation control These systems ap- turc contaminated air at its source before it spreads into the air in your breathing zone.