Regulations and Guidelines for Toxic Exposures in the Workplace

Abstract

Occupational diseases can serve as the sentinel warnings about the hazards of toxic substances. Regulations and guidelines to control workers' exposure to toxic substances have been influenced by larger social forces, which may have enhanced or impeded the degree of protection provided. Toxicological and epidemiological research and technological developments provide the rationale and the methodologies used to develop legislation, regulations, and guidelines to reduce occupational exposure to toxins. Most regulations and standards for worker protection have training requirements to increase employees' understanding of workplace hazards. These complement the engineering and administrative controls implemented by the affected employers. In the U.S., many industries fall under the authority of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, but some are also required to comply with worker-safety regulations issued by other agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, Nuclear Regulatory Commission or Department of Transportation. A brief description of workplace standards and occupational exposure limits for selected countries are presented. Keywords: Environmental Protection Agency; Occupational Safety and Health Administration; material safety data sheets; recommended exposure limits; threshold limit values