1910.1052 Methylene Chloride: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Covers exposure to methylene chloride, a solvent used in paint strippers, degreasers, adhesives, and pharmaceuticals. The permissible exposure limit is 25 parts per million as an 8-hour average and 125 ppm as a 15-minute short-term limit, with an action level of 12.5 ppm. Employers must monitor exposures, establish regulated areas, use engineering and work practice controls, provide respirators and protective clothing, run medical surveillance, and train workers. Federal EPA rules also restrict many uses of this chemical.
What the standard requires
- Monitor methylene chloride exposures
- Establish regulated areas where limits may be exceeded
- Use engineering and work practice controls
- Provide medical surveillance for exposed workers
- Train employees on methylene chloride hazards
Hazards it addresses
- Central nervous system depression
- Carbon monoxide formation in the body causing heart stress
- Cancer
- Fatal overexposure in enclosed spaces
Cited in furniture refinishing, paint stripping, adhesive and chemical manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910.1052(d)(2) | Exposure monitoring | 12 | 12 | $1,250 |
| 1910.1052(l)(1) | 8 | 8 | $0 | |
| 1910.1052(h)(1) | 6 | 6 | $1,660 | |
| 1910.1052(d)(1)(i) | Exposure monitoring | 5 | 5 | $3,547 |
| 1910.1052(f)(1) | Methods of compliance | 5 | 5 | $0 |
| 1910.1052(c)(2) | 4 | 4 | $875 | |
| 1910.1052(i)(2) | 4 | 4 | $0 | |
| 1910.1052(i)(1) | 3 | 3 | $0 | |
| 1910.1052(c)(1) | 2 | 2 | $8,671 | |
| 1910.1052(e)(1) | 2 | 2 | $875 | |
| 1910.1052(k)(1)(iii) | 2 | 2 | $0 | |
| 1910.1052(l)(3)(i) | 2 | 2 | $0 | |
| 1910.1052(d)(2)(i) | Exposure monitoring | 1 | 1 | $9,847 |
| 1910.1052(d)(4)(i) | Exposure monitoring | 1 | 1 | $0 |
| 1910.1052(e)(3) | 1 | 1 | $0 |
Penalties
Across 62 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $151,162 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $102,498, 32% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 77%; Other-than-serious 23%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 3 | 5 | $15,370 | $8,042 |
| Colorado | 2 | 8 | $38,018 | $37,108 |
| Maryland | 2 | 7 | $875 | $875 |
| Michigan | 2 | 4 | $4,500 | $4,500 |
| Minnesota | 2 | 9 | $13,750 | $7,100 |
| New Mexico | 2 | 3 | $14,071 | $12,593 |
| Oregon | 2 | 4 | $1,412 | $1,412 |
| Connecticut | 1 | 2 | $30,738 | $10,000 |
| North Carolina | 1 | 1 | $750 | $750 |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 1 | $9,847 | $5,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 4 | $8,276 | $5,000 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 2 | $6,029 | $4,220 |
| Utah | 1 | 8 | $2,100 | $2,100 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 4 | $5,426 | $3,798 |
By industry
- Manufacturing: 20 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 1 inspections
- Professional & technical services: 1 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSN Sports, LLC | Norwalk, CT | Aug 28, 2026 | 2 | $30,738 | $10,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Oct 16, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Sunflower Manufacturing, LLC | Hudson, CO | Aug 3, 2026 | 4 | $35,748 | $35,748 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Eurofins Environmental Testing Northeast, LLC | North Kingstown, RI | Jul 28, 2026 | 2 | $6,029 | $4,220 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 31, 2026 | osha.gov |
| R & R Plastics, Inc. | Passaic, NJ | Jul 24, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 19, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Northern Acrylics Inc. | Duluth, MN | Jul 17, 2026 | 1 | $450 | $450 | Final orderAbatement due Jul 30, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Roll Former Corporation | Chalfont, PA | Jun 23, 2026 | 4 | $8,276 | $5,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jul 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Chemdesign Products, Inc. | Marinette, WI | May 14, 2026 | 4 | $5,426 | $3,798 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jun 22, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Panther Powder Coating, LLC | Spanish Fork, UT | May 7, 2026 | 8 | $2,100 | $2,100 | OpenAbatement due Jun 24, 2026Contest deadline ~May 29, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Kreative Solutions Inc. | Portland, OR | Apr 17, 2026 | 3 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Jun 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Colonial Metals Inc. | Elkton, MD | Apr 16, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | ContestedAbatement due Apr 24, 2026Contested Apr 23, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Mt. Holly Powder Coating LLC | Mount Holly, NJ | Feb 18, 2026 | 2 | $3,547 | $2,130 | Informal settlementAbatement due Mar 16, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Seating Consultants Inc. | Minneapolis, MN | Jan 27, 2026 | 8 | $13,300 | $6,650 | Formal settlementAbatement due Feb 6, 2026Contested Feb 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Pharmed Innovation, LLC | Tulsa, OK | Jan 15, 2026 | 1 | $9,847 | $5,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 11, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Main Street Custom Finishing, Inc. | Peyton, CO | Jan 13, 2026 | 4 | $2,270 | $1,360 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 19, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Dana Container, Inc. | Detroit, MI | Jan 9, 2026 | 3 | $4,500 | $4,500 | Final orderAbatement due Feb 12, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Signs Unlimited, Inc. | Durham, NC | Jan 8, 2026 | 1 | $750 | $750 | Final orderAbatement due Jan 12, 2026 | osha.gov |
| The Seaberg Company Inc. | Tualatin, OR | Dec 24, 2025 | 1 | $1,412 | $1,412 | Final orderAbatement due Jan 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Absolute Powder Coating LLC | Albuquerque, NM | Dec 10, 2025 | 2 | $4,221 | $4,221 | ContestedAbatement due Jan 7, 2026Contested Jan 7, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Tarus Products Inc. | Sterling Heights, MI | Dec 9, 2025 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Jan 13, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Chrome Hearts Factory LLC | Albuquerque, NM | Dec 9, 2025 | 1 | $9,850 | $8,372 | Formal settlementAbatement due Jan 6, 2026Contested Jan 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Bmore Kreative Custom Coatings, LLC | Elkridge, MD | Oct 23, 2025 | 6 | $875 | $875 | Final orderAbatement due Oct 31, 2025Contested Dec 24, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Mersen USA PTT Corp. | Boonton, NJ | Oct 9, 2025 | 2 | $11,823 | $5,912 | Formal settlementAbatement due Nov 5, 2025Contested Nov 14, 2025 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1910.134 Respiratory Protection (12 shared inspections)
- 1910.1200 Hazard Communication (12 shared inspections)
- 1910.132 PPE General Requirements (6 shared inspections)
- 1910.106 Flammable Liquids (3 shared inspections)
- 1910.107 Spray Finishing (2 shared inspections)
- 1910.124 Dipping & Coating (2 shared inspections)
- 1910.28 Fall Protection Duty (2 shared inspections)
- 1910.151 First Aid (2 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1910.1052 require?
Covers exposure to methylene chloride, a solvent used in paint strippers, degreasers, adhesives, and pharmaceuticals. The permissible exposure limit is 25 parts per million as an 8-hour average and 125 ppm as a 15-minute short-term limit, with an action level of 12.5 ppm. Employers must monitor exposures, establish regulated areas, use engineering and work practice controls, provide respirators and protective clothing, run medical surveillance, and train workers. Federal EPA rules also restrict many uses of this chemical.
How often was 1910.1052 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1910.1052 (Methylene Chloride) appeared in 22 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 62 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1910.1052 is cited most?
1910.1052(d)(2) was the most-cited paragraph, with 12 items: Exposure monitoring
Which states cite 1910.1052 most often?
The most citations under 1910.1052 in this period were issued in New Jersey, Colorado, Maryland.
What is the typical penalty for a 1910.1052 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $0; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $0. Totals: $151,162 proposed, $102,498 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1910.1052 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 32% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.