Solvent Hazards, SDS, and Hazard Communication

Why Hazard Communication Matters in Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning and laundry operations use powerful chemical solvents every day. Perchloroethylene (PERC), petroleum-based hydrocarbon solvents, and silicone-based fluids such as GreenEarth each carry specific health and environmental risks. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom), found at 29 CFR 1910.1200, requires employers to ensure that workers understand those risks before they ever open a solvent drum. A worker who knows what the hazards are, where to find safety information, and how to respond in an emergency is far less likely to be injured or to cause an environmental violation.

The OSHA HazCom Standard: Core Employer Obligations

The HazCom Standard is built on a simple right-to-know principle: employees must be informed about every hazardous chemical in their workplace. To meet this obligation, every covered employer must:

1. Maintain a written Hazard Communication Program describing how the facility manages chemical hazards.

2. Keep a current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for every hazardous chemical on-site, accessible to employees at all times during the work shift — paper binders, electronic terminals, or both are acceptable as long as access is immediate.

3. Label all containers — original and secondary — with GHS-compliant labels.

4. Train employees before they first work with hazardous chemicals, and again when new hazards are introduced.

Failure on any of these four points can result in OSHA citations. In a dry cleaning plant, where solvents are transferred between machines, holding tanks, and secondary containers daily, labeling and SDS access violations are among the most commonly cited HazCom deficiencies.

The Safety Data Sheet: All 16 Sections

Under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), every SDS follows the same 16-section format worldwide. Knowing where to find information quickly is a survival skill in an emergency.

| Section | Title | What You Need in This Trade |

|---|---|---|

| 1 | Identification | Product name, manufacturer contact, intended use |

| 2 | Hazard(s) Identification | GHS hazard categories, signal word (Danger/Warning), pictograms |

| 3 | Composition/Ingredients | Chemical names, CAS numbers, concentration ranges |

| 4 | First-Aid Measures | Immediate actions for skin, eye, inhalation, ingestion exposure |

| 5 | Fire-Fighting Measures | Suitable extinguishing media, hazardous combustion products |

| 6 | Accidental Release Measures | Spill containment, personal protection during cleanup |

| 7 | Handling and Storage | Ventilation needs, incompatible materials, storage temperature |

| 8 | Exposure Controls/PPE | OSHA PEL, ACGIH TLV, required gloves/respirator/eye protection |

| 9 | Physical and Chemical Properties | Flash point, boiling point, vapor pressure, appearance |

| 10 | Stability and Reactivity | Conditions to avoid, hazardous decomposition products |

| 11 | Toxicological Information | Routes of exposure, acute vs. chronic health effects, carcinogenicity |

| 12 | Ecological Information | Aquatic toxicity, persistence, bioaccumulation |

| 13 | Disposal Considerations | Waste codes, regulatory disposal requirements |

| 14 | Transport Information | DOT hazard class, UN number, packing group |

| 15 | Regulatory Information | EPA, state, and other applicable regulations |

| 16 | Other Information | Revision date, preparer information |

For dry cleaning solvents, Sections 2, 4, 8, 9, 13, and 15 deserve the most attention during daily operations and training.

Key Solvent Hazards You Will Encounter

PERC (Tetrachloroethylene): PERC is a chlorinated solvent classified as a likely human carcinogen by the EPA. It is dense, colorless, and has a distinctive sweet odor. Inhalation is the primary exposure route. Chronic overexposure can damage the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. PERC is not flammable, but it breaks down into toxic gases (including hydrogen chloride) when heated to high temperatures. Its vapor is heavier than air and can accumulate in low areas such as pits and drains.

Petroleum/Hydrocarbon Solvents: These solvents have a defined flash point, making fire and explosion a real concern. Always check Section 5 and Section 9 of the SDS. Storage and handling areas must be kept free of ignition sources. Vapor buildup in enclosed spaces can reach explosive concentrations.

GreenEarth/Silicone Fluid (Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, D5): Generally considered lower in acute toxicity than PERC, but current regulatory data on long-term environmental persistence and potential health effects continues to evolve. Always follow the current SDS.

GHS Labels: Required Elements

Every secondary container you fill at the plant must have a GHS-compliant label before it leaves your hands. A compliant label must include:

• Product identifier (chemical name or trade name matching the SDS)
• Signal word (Danger or Warning)
• Hazard statement(s)
• Precautionary statement(s)
• GHS pictogram(s)
• Supplier/responsible party name and contact information

Missing even one element makes the label non-compliant and can result in an OSHA citation.

PPE and Exposure Controls

Section 8 of the SDS is your guide to protection. For PERC, engineering controls (closed-loop dry cleaning machines, local exhaust ventilation) are the first line of defense. When those controls do not reduce exposure to below the permissible exposure limit (PEL), appropriate respiratory protection and chemical-resistant gloves (check the specific glove material listed in Section 8 — not all gloves resist PERC equally) are required. Never assume a single glove type is adequate for all solvents; consult each SDS individually.

Safety Priorities

• Never transfer solvents into an unlabeled container. Even a brief transfer counts.
• Know where the SDS binder or terminal is located before you start work — not after an incident.
• If you suspect a spill or vapor release, leave the area, alert your supervisor, and consult Section 6 of the SDS before re-entering.
• Lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures apply when maintaining solvent machines; solvent exposure during maintenance is a major cause of overexposure incidents.