Safety Programs

Employers are responsible for making sure workers are not exposed to cotton dust above the PEL. If the aforementioned monitoring shows that the workplace contains dangerous levels of cotton dust, the employer must create and implement a written safety plan. This plan must include the following points:

• A description of each job process that results in cotton dust exposure
• Engineering controls, such as dust collection systems on the machinery or mechanical ventilation
  • If ventilation is used, it must be periodically tested to ensure its effectiveness
• The studies or other data used to select each engineering control or technology
• The monitoring data from a vertical elutriator or equivalent device
• A safe work practices program
• A schedule for the development and implementation of engineering and work practice controls
• An estimate of the resulting exposure levels after implementation of the safety program
• Any other relevant information, such as plans to rotate worker shifts to limit their exposure over time

The safety plan must be updated whenever necessary to reflect changes in the program or exposure levels. The safety plan must be made available to the Chief of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health for inspection.

To learn more about Cotton Dust Safety visit our Cal/OSHA Cotton Dust Safety Online Training web page.