For workers in smelting, glass, pigment, semiconductor, chemical and other operations with inorganic arsenic: health effects, the PEL and action level, monitoring, regulated areas, controls, respirators and protective clothing, hygiene, housekeeping, medical surveillance, signs and training.
Based on OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1018 · about 6 min read
Need proof of training? The full course (25 min) adds practice questions, a job scenario, the final quiz and a certificate your employer can verify.
Breathing inorganic arsenic can cause lung cancer. It also irritates skin, and it harms you if swallowed.
Other hazards include liver, skin and nervous system effects, respiratory irritation and acute poisoning.
Arsenic trichloride is especially dangerous because it is absorbed readily through the skin.
The standard covers inorganic arsenic compounds measured as arsenic. Arsine gas is not covered by this standard.
The standard does not apply to exposures in agriculture or from pesticide application, the treatment of wood with preservatives, or the use of arsenically preserved wood.
Where exposure is above the PEL, the area is a regulated area, set apart to keep the number of people exposed down, with access limited to authorized persons.
All persons entering are supplied with a respirator.
No food, beverages, smoking, chewing tobacco or gum, or cosmetics inside. Drinking water is allowed.
Signs read DANGER / INORGANIC ARSENIC / MAY CAUSE CANCER / DO NOT EAT, DRINK OR SMOKE / WEAR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION IN THIS AREA / AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY.
Engineering and work practice controls reduce exposure to the PEL where feasible. Where they fall short, they are still used, and respirators make up the difference.
A written compliance program includes, among other items, a description of each operation that emits inorganic arsenic, the engineering plans and studies used to select controls, the technology considered, monitoring data and a detailed implementation schedule. It is updated at least annually.
Housekeeping: keep surfaces as free as practicable of arsenic. No compressed air for cleaning. Shoveling and brushing are used only where vacuuming or other relevant methods have been tried and found not to be effective.
A written housekeeping and maintenance plan sets cleaning frequencies, including dust collectors, which are cleaned and checked periodically.
Respirators are used while controls are installed, where controls are not feasible or not enough, and in emergencies.
Air-purifying respirators use HEPA filters. When exposure is also over the relevant limit for other gases, the HEPA filter is combined with an appropriate gas-sorbent cartridge or canister (a combination dust and acid-gas respirator).
No half masks for arsenic trichloride, because it goes through the skin.
You may choose a PAPR if it protects properly.
Protective clothing (coveralls, gloves, shoes or coverlets, face shields or vented goggles) is free in regulated areas and wherever skin or eye irritation is possible. Impervious clothing is used for arsenic trichloride.
Fresh clothing at least weekly, and daily above 100 micrograms per cubic meter or where more frequent washing is needed to prevent skin irritation.
Remove it at the end of the shift in the change room, and place it in a closed, labeled container.
For workers in regulated areas or with possible skin or eye irritation:
Change rooms keep street clothes separate from work clothes.
Shower at the end of the shift.
Wash hands and face before eating. Lunchrooms provided for regulated-area workers have a temperature controlled, positive pressure, filtered air supply.
Above 100 micrograms per cubic meter, vacuum your clothing and clean or change shoes before entering change rooms, lunchrooms or showers.
No skin or eye contact with arsenic trichloride, or with liquid or particulate arsenic likely to irritate skin or eyes.
Medical surveillance covers employees exposed above the action level at least 30 days a year, and those with 10 years or more of such exposure.
Exams are free, without loss of pay, at a reasonable time and place.
The initial exam includes a work and medical history (with smoking history and breathing symptoms), a chest X-ray, a nasal and skin exam, and other exams the physician believes appropriate. The history, the nasal and skin exam and the physician's other exams repeat at least annually; the periodic exam does not require the chest X-ray.
Signs or symptoms of arsenic exposure mean an exam and emergency treatment.
You get a copy of the physician's written opinion. Findings unrelated to work are not revealed to the employer.
Training is given at initial assignment and at least annually to employees above the action level or with possible skin or eye irritation. It covers:
The hazards and protections summarized in Appendix A
The quantity and location of arsenic, how it is used and stored, sources of exposure, the operations that could expose you, and any necessary protective steps
Purpose, use and limits of respirators
Medical surveillance
Controls and work practices for your job
A review of the standard, which must be readily available to you
Fact-checked against the regulation text on October 09, 2026. This certificate records completion of awareness training based on OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1018. It is not an OSHA card or license, and it does not by itself meet the training requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1018(o). Your employer must still train each employee who is subject to exposure to inorganic arsenic above the action level without regard to respirator use, or for whom there is the possibility of skin or eye irritation from inorganic arsenic, at the time of initial assignment and at least annually thereafter, and inform each employee of the information in Appendix A; the quantity, location, manner of use, storage, sources of exposure, and the specific nature of operations which could result in exposure to inorganic arsenic as well as any necessary protective steps; the purpose, proper use, and limitation of respirators; the purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program; the engineering controls and work practices associated with the employee's job assignment; and a review of the standard. Under 29 CFR 1910.1018(p)(1)(iii), the employer must also train employees in accordance with the Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).
This guide explains the rule in plain words. Always read the regulation itself and your employer's site-specific procedures.