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OSHA Safety for Mercury

Mercury is an element used in many temperature and pressure measuring equipment such as thermometers and manometers. It is also used in the mining of gold and silver, and in industrial devices such as switches and valves. Long-term or heavy exposure to mercury can cause nervous system and kidney damage. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has several safety standards concerning mercury, including safe exposure limits, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, and employee training.

  1. OSHA standards

    • Most OSHA safety standards have been developed for use in three major industrial areas and mercury is no exception. OSHA standards are taken from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs). For general industry, 29 CFR 1910; for the shipyard industry, 29 CFR 1915; and for the construction industry, 29 CFR 1926, all cover the same basic information, with additional specific requirements for each industry. Topics discussed include hazardous material handling, personal protective equipment, hazardous communication, respiratory protection, air contaminants (mercury can vaporize at room temperature), and welding.

    Properties

    • Mercury is found in three forms. Elemental mercury is naturally occurring and is used in industrial applications. Inorganic mercury (also known as mercuric chloride) was used in the past in laxatives, soaps, and latex paint. However, since 1991 it has been banned. Methyl mercury has no industrial uses and exposure occurs by eating contaminated fish.

    Health effects

    • According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), high-level, short-term exposure to elementary mercury can cause damage to your central nervous system, with symptoms such as tremors, mood swings and slowed motor function. Long-term exposure produces many of the same effects.

      Acute exposure to inorganic mercury can cause "nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain," while chronic exposure causes kidney damage.

      High-level exposure to methyl mercury has severe effects such as blindness and deafness. Over time, additional effects can include speech difficulties, and in infants born to mothers who have been exposed, mental retardation and cerebral palsy.

    Exposure monitoring

    • An occupational health professional should be consulted to determine if potential mercury exposure warrants medical monitoring. If it is, workers take a baseline blood and urine test, with follow-up testing throughout the period the employee works there. Work site detection devices also can be used to determine potential exposure.

    How to reduce exposure

    • According to OSHA, the best way to reduce exposure to mercury is to use engineering and administrative controls, as well as PPE in the workplace.

      Engineering controls include replacing mercury devices with a safer substance. If a mercury device must be used, place it in a container to avoid spillage if the device is damaged.

      Administrative controls include restricting access to areas using mercury, placing warning labels on all containers and devices with mercury and training workers on the procedures to take in the event of a spill.

      Since mercury can be absorbed through the skin as well as inhaled, PPE should include a respirator with face shield or goggles and rubber gloves with long cuffs.

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