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Chemicals and materials

Safety info on the health effects of various substances, from ammonia to Western red cedar dust.

Resources

The case for safer exposure limits
This one-page handout discusses the importance of choosing healthier exposure limits.

Ammonia

Ammonia 
This concise guide includes exposure limits, storage recommendations, and protection.

Safety and health topics: ammonia refrigeration (OSHA) 
The OSHA eTool helps you identify and control ammonia refrigeration hazards.

Safety and health topics: ammonia resources (NIOSH)
A web page full of links to resources on ammonia safety.

Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide 
A brief guide to testing, limits, and injury prevention, with links to more information.

Fact sheet | Carbon monoxide (OSHA)
Tips to protect you from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide hazards from small gas engines (NIOSH) 
Recommendations and links to the worker notification program and other publications.

Chlorine

Chlorine 
A guide to testing, limits, and injury prevention, with links to more information.

Chlorine (NIOSH)
A web page full of links to resources on chlorine safety.

Essential oils

Essential oils
These plant-based oils may seem safe, but this bulletin describes the hazards of working with essential oils and includes recommended protective measures.

Ethylene Oxide

Ethylene Oxide 
A guide that covers all aspects of ethylene oxide use, including sampling methods, monitoring, protective equipment, emergencies, and hazard communication.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde 
A comprehensive guide that includes exposure limits, compliance, protective measures, and much more.

Fact sheet | Formaldehyde (OSHA)
Quick facts on formaldehyde, including what employers need to know and how to protect employees.

Formaldehyde (OSHA)
OSHA web page on formaldehyde standards, recognition, evaluations, and solutions.

Formaldehyde (NIOSH)
NIOSH web page with a pocket guide, safety cards, analytical methods, and resources.

Hexavalent chromium

Hexavalent chromium 
An extensive safety guide, including highlights of the general industry hexavalent chromium standard.

Small entity compliance guide for hexavalent chromium standards (OSHA)
Designed to help small businesses comply with HC standards.

Hexavalent chromium training kit (Washington State Department of Labor & Industries)
This kit includes an instructor's guide, PowerPoint, and other supporting materials designed to help you train on hexavalent chromium.

Hydrofluoric acid

Hydrofluoric acid: emergency preparedness and response (CDC)
Web page includes an overview, toxicology Q&A, medical management guidelines, and detailed information for first responders. 

Hydrofluoric acid burns
Booklet describes first-aid and medical treatment for hydrofluoric acid burns, including preventive measures and a quick reference guide.

Isocyanates

Preventing asthma and sensitization associated with isocyanates
This bulletin discusses the health hazards and risk of exposure to isocyanates while providing practical ways to control the hazard.

Isocyanates: Working safely (California Department of Public Health)
Select products and encourage work practices that minimize exposure to these asthma-causing chemicals.

Lead

Lead 
An extensive safety guide, including highlights of the occupational lead standards.

Lead (EPA) 
This website provides an overview of lead issues and provides resources for work and home.

Lead (OSHA)
Web page including exposures, controls, enforcement, standards, and highlighted links.

Metal working fluids

Metal working fluids
This bulletin provides an overview of safe practices when using metal working fluids.

Methylene chloride

Methylene chloride hazards for bathtub refinishers (OSHA/NIOSH)
Methylene chloride can be particularly dangerous when used in small rooms with no ventilation.

Booklet | Methylene chloride (OSHA)
A booklet including standards, monitoring, exposures, protection, and training.

Methylene chloride (OSHA)
Web page including exposures, controls, enforcement, standards, and highlighted links.

Methylene chloride (NIOSH) 
Web page with a pocket guide, safety cards, analytical methods, and resources.

Selecting safer chemicals

Substitutes and solutions: transitioning to safer chemicals 
A guide that walks businesses through the process of reducing chemical hazards by transitioning to safer chemicals.

Transitioning to Safer Chemicals: A Toolkit for Employers and Workers (OSHA)
This OSHA eTool provides employers and workers with information on using informed substitution in the workplace.

Substitution and Alternatives Assessment Toolbox (OECD)
A compilation of resources relevant to chemical substitution and alternatives assessments.   

Silica

Silica safety guide 
Learn about controlling exposures to respirable crystalline silica, including what rules apply to your business and how to protect worker safety and health.

Silica, crystalline (OSHA)
This page highlights the health effects or respirable silica and includes links to prevention resources.

Small entity compliance guide for the respirable crystalline silica standard for construction (OSHA)
This guide assists small businesses protecting their workers from respirable crystalline silica in construction while providing an overview of the silica standard.

Silica (NIOSH)
A topic page full of resources.

Engineering controls for silica in construction (NIOSH)
Specific guides for jackhammers, cut-off saws, tuckpointing, and concrete grinders.

Work safely with silica (Centers for Construction Research and Training) 
A one-stop source of information on how to prevent a silica hazard and protect workers.

Western red cedar/asthma

Western red cedar / asthma 
An overview of the effects and occupational exposure limits, plus links to other resources.

Health effects from exposure to wood dust (WorkSafe Alberta)
This useful guide covers common wood dusts and their health effects along with ways to limit exposure.