1910.1052(d)(1)(i): Measuring Each Worker's Methylene Chloride Exposure
Where methylene chloride (MC) is present in the workplace, the employer must find out each employee's exposure. This is done either by taking a personal breathing zone air sample of each employee, or by taking breathing zone samples that are representative of each employee's exposure.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1052(d)(1)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 21 times in the last 3 years, in 21 inspections, with $53,718 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (4), OR (4), TN (2).
- Related part: 1910.1052(d) Exposure monitoring (70 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1052(d)(1)(i) is one requirement inside 1910.1052 Methylene chloride, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 2 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
(i) Where MC is present in the workplace, the employer shall determine each employee's exposure by either: 21 citations
(A) Taking a personal breathing zone air sample of each employee's exposure; or 1 citations
(B) Taking personal breathing zone air samples that are representative of each employee's exposure. 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1052.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: MI (4), OR (4), TN (2), ID (2), CO (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SUNFLOWER MANUFACTURING, LLC | HUDSON, CO | $11,916 |
| THE SAYLES COMPANY LLC | COLUMBUS, OH | $9,268 |
| FORBO FLOORING INC | HAZLETON, PA | $8,000 |
| NOW HEALTH GROUP, INC | BLOOMINGDALE, IL | $6,857 |
| DANA CONTAINER, INC. | DETROIT, MI | $4,500 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1052(d)(1)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1052(d)(1)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1052(d) Exposure monitoring 70 citations
- 1910.1052(d)(2) Initial determination 46 citations
- 1910.1052(d)(1) Characterization of employee exposure 21 citations
- 1910.1052(d)(1)(ii) Representative samples
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Frequently asked questions
When must an employer measure methylene chloride exposure?
Whenever methylene chloride is present in the workplace, the employer must determine each employee's exposure.
What kind of air sample is used?
Personal breathing zone air samples, taken either from each employee or from samples that represent each employee's exposure.
Does every worker have to wear a sampler?
Not always. The rule allows representative samples that stand for each employee's exposure instead of sampling every person.
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 2026-10-20
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.