1910.1052(f): Methylene Chloride Methods of Compliance
Employers must use and maintain engineering controls and work practices to reduce methylene chloride exposure to or below the PELs unless not feasible, and add respirators when controls are not enough. Employee rotation may not be used to comply, and employers must detect leaks, contain spills, safely dispose of waste and have trained, protected workers repair leaks and clean spills promptly.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1052(f) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 10 inspections, with $16,140 in current penalties.
- Most citations: WI (2), PA (1), MD (1).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1052(f) ("Methods of compliance") is one requirement inside 1910.1052 Methylene chloride, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 5 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(f) Methods of compliance — 10 citations
(1) Engineering and work practice controls. The employer shall institute and maintain the effectiveness of engineering controls and work practices to reduce employee exposure to or below the PELs except to the extent that the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible. Wherever the feasible engineering controls and work practices which can be instituted are not sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the 8-TWA PEL or STEL, the employer shall use them to reduce employee exposure to the lowest levels achievable by these controls and shall supplement them by the use of respiratory protection that complies with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this section. 9 citations
(2) Prohibition of rotation. The employer shall not implement a schedule of employee rotation as a means of compliance with the PELs.
(3) Leak and spill detection. 1 citations
(i) The employer shall implement procedures to detect leaks of MC in the workplace. In work areas where spills may occur, the employer shall make provisions to contain any spills and to safely dispose of any MC-contaminated waste materials. 1 citations
(ii) The employer shall ensure that all incidental leaks are repaired and that incidental spills are cleaned promptly by employees who use the appropriate personal protective equipment and are trained in proper methods of cleanup.
See appendix A of this section for examples of procedures that satisfy this requirement. Employers covered by this standard may also be subject to the hazardous waste and emergency response provisions contained in 29 CFR 1910.120 (q).
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1052.
Export the list: 10 inspections cited 1910.1052(f) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: WI (2), PA (1), MD (1), TN (1), NJ (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SUNFLOWER MANUFACTURING, LLC | HUDSON, CO | $11,916 |
| CTH VENTURES, LLC | YEAGERTOWN, PA | $3,349 |
| 110326 - SEATING CONSULTANTS INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $875 |
| EVERGLAZE, LLC | NOTTINGHAM, MD | $0 |
| KENNETH DUGENSKE | WAUPACA, WI | $0 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1052(f).
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Frequently asked questions
What comes first, controls or respirators?
Engineering controls and work practices, supplemented by respirators when they are not sufficient.
Can rotating workers be used to meet the limit?
No. Employee rotation may not be used as a means of compliance.
Who cleans MC spills?
Employees trained in proper cleanup methods who use appropriate PPE.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1052 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-11-06
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.