Cleanroom safety across various types of industries and settings can be a complicated matter. The common thread between all is that they must comply with applicable U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
All cleanroom facilities must have at a minimum per 29 CFR: the OSHA poster; OSHA 300 log; medical services and first aid; and exit routes, emergency action plans, and fire prevention plans.
A system for removing contaminated air from a space, comprising two or more of the following elements: (a) enclosure or hood, (b) duct work, (c) dust collecting equipment, (d) exhauster, and (e) discharge stack.
Each employer shall determine that compressed gas cylinders under his/her control are in a safe condition to the extent that this can be determined by visual inspection.
An employee’s exposure to any substance listed in Tables Z-1, Z-2, or Z-3 of Section 1910.100 Subpart Z shall be limited in accordance with the requirements.
Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation, or physical contact.
Where mechanical handling equipment is used, sufficient safe clearances shall be allowed for aisles, at loading docks, through doorways, and wherever turns or passage must be made.
In summarizing these complex regulatory requirements, one should always consult with the OSHA standards in its entirety before implementing a cleanroom safety program. Another great source of information and assistance may be provided by your insurance broker or carrier.
If you are concerned with your employees’ safety, fearful of a costly and embarrassing OSHA inspection, or worse escalating employee incident/illness/injury rates and/or expensive business interruptions, contact a professional to assist.
This Cleanroom Tip was taken from “Breaking Down the Complex OSHA Requirements for Cleanrooms.” The original article, written by Randall B. Charpentier, HEM, appeared in the October 2014 issue of Controlled Environments.
