Description
"DCM Compliance: A Clear Pathway to EPA TSCA Readiness" is a 5-part series of 1-hour sessions designed to help small universities navigate the complexities of DCM compliance. Led by certified industrial hygienist Tim Barton, it offers actionable steps, expert insights, and tailored strategies to help you achieve readiness before the May 2025 monitoring deadline.
All sessions will be held from 3:00 - 4:00 pm CST (4:00 - 5:00 EST)
Session 1: Basics of Exposure Monitoring and Group Identification (January 15, 2025)
- Topics:
- Introduction to industrial hygiene principles for DCM monitoring.
- Identifying similar exposure groups (SEGs) within a laboratory setting.
- Selecting and preparing sampling equipment (e.g., passive vs. active samplers) and sampling methods.
- Determining the timing and location for sample collection to capture accurate DCM exposure levels.
Session 2: Building a Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP) (February 12, 2025)
- Topics:
- Overview of WCPP requirements and resources for small institutions.
- Documenting DCM use in labs and identifying tasks that require monitoring.
- Discussing substitution: assessing alternatives that could replace DCM, with resources from Beyond Benign.
- Tools and guides for chemical risk evaluation and substitution options.
Session 3: Interpreting Monitoring Results and Next Steps (March 11, 2025)
- Topics:
- Understanding and interpreting exposure results: 8-hour TWA, STEL, and action levels.
- Next steps if results exceed permissible limits: establishing regulated areas, implementing respiratory protection, and addressing hygiene and leak/spill detection requirements.
- Setting up periodic monitoring based on exposure levels and regulatory timelines.
Session 4: Incorporating Findings into Chemical Hygiene and Exposure Control Plans (April 9, 2025)
- Topics:
- Integrating exposure data and WCPP requirements into the CHP.
- Developing a compliant ECP for ongoing DCM use, including recordkeeping, monitoring schedules, and periodic review protocols.
- Best practices for documentation and maintaining clear, accessible records.
Session 5: Training and Implementation for Lab Safety Compliance (May 14, 2025)
- Topics:
- Structuring training programs on DCM safety, PPE use, and emergency protocols.
- Setting up effective training for new and current lab members, with periodic refreshers.
- Developing a rollout plan for ongoing monitoring, updates to procedures, and future adjustments to lab practices.
