Dry Cleaning Safety Manual

OSHA and Dry Cleaning

Federal OSHA does not maintain a single comprehensive standard specifically for dry-cleaning establishments.

Instead, applicable requirements are found primarily within OSHA’s General Industry standards and depend on the hazards and processes present.

Potentially applicable requirements may address:

• Air contaminants.
• Hazard Communication.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Respiratory Protection.
• Flammable and combustible materials.
• Machine Guarding.
• Lockout/Tagout.
• Electrical safety.
• Walking-Working Surfaces.
• Emergency Action Plans.
• Fire Prevention.
• Occupational noise.
• Bloodborne Pathogens, when applicable.

Dry cleaners should evaluate their particular solvents, chemicals, equipment, and employee exposures to determine applicable requirements.

What Should a Dry Cleaning Safety Manual Include?

Depending on operations, a Dry Cleaning Safety Manual may address:

• Dry-cleaning safety responsibilities.
• Hazard assessments.
• Job Safety Analysis.
• Dry-cleaning solvent safety.
• Perchloroethylene/PERC safety, when applicable.
• Alternative solvent safety.
• Spotting chemicals.
• Hazard Communication.
• Chemical labeling.
• Safety Data Sheets.
• Chemical storage.
• Ventilation.
• Exposure monitoring.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Respiratory Protection.
• Dry-cleaning machines.
• Machine Guarding.
• Cabinet presses.
• Steam presses.
• Boilers and steam.
• Lockout/Tagout.
• Fire Prevention.
• Ergonomics.
• Garment handling.
• Slips, trips and falls.
• Spill response.
• Emergency procedures.

Programs should be selected according to the facility’s actual processes and hazards.

Dry Cleaning Safety Program

An effective Dry Cleaning Safety Program establishes responsibilities and procedures for controlling chemical, machinery, fire, ergonomic, electrical, thermal, and other workplace hazards.

Management should provide:

• Safe equipment.
• Appropriate ventilation.
• Written procedures.
• Employee training.
• Required PPE.
• Chemical information.
• Preventive maintenance.
• Emergency resources.
• Effective supervision.

Managers and supervisors should:

• Identify workplace hazards.
• Maintain required safety programs.
• Establish safe operating procedures.
• Maintain equipment and ventilation.
• Correct unsafe conditions.
• Provide employee training.
• Maintain required records.
• Investigate incidents.
• Coordinate emergency procedures.

Employees should follow established procedures, use required controls and PPE, report leaks and equipment problems, and perform only work for which they have been trained.

Dry Cleaning Hazard Assessments

Hazard assessments should consider:

• Dry-cleaning machines.
• Solvents.
• Spotting stations.
• Pressing equipment.
• Boilers.
• Steam systems.
• Chemical-storage areas.
• Ventilation.
• Maintenance activities.
• Garment handling.
• Packaging areas.
• Walking-working surfaces.

Potential hazards may include:

• Solvent vapor.
• Chemical splash.
• Skin exposure.
• Fire.
• Pinch points.
• Hot surfaces.
• Steam.
• Electrical energy.
• Repetitive motion.
• Manual lifting.

Assessments should be reviewed when equipment, solvents, chemicals, or processes change.

Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA)

A JSA/JHA may be used for higher-risk dry-cleaning activities.

Potential JSAs/JHAs may address:

• Loading and unloading dry-cleaning machines.
• Solvent handling.
• Spot cleaning.
• Filter maintenance.
• Still cleaning.
• Machine maintenance.
• Press operation.
• Boiler maintenance.
• Chemical-spill cleanup.

The analysis should identify job steps, hazards, controls, PPE, and employee responsibilities.

Dry Cleaning Solvents

Dry-cleaning facilities may use different cleaning solvents and technologies.

These may include:

• Perchloroethylene/PERC.
• Petroleum-based solvents.
• Other hydrocarbon solvents.
• Alternative solvent systems.
• Professional wet-cleaning systems.

The hazards of one cleaning system should not automatically be assumed to apply to another.

Employees should receive training on the specific solvent and process used at their facility.

Perchloroethylene/PERC — When Applicable

Perchloroethylene, also known as PERC, PCE, or tetrachloroethylene, has historically been widely used as a dry-cleaning solvent.

Employee exposure can occur through:

• Inhalation of vapors.
• Skin contact.
• Leaks.
• Machine loading and unloading.
• Maintenance.
• Solvent handling.
• Improperly controlled process operations.

Facilities that continue to use PERC should evaluate all current occupational and environmental requirements applicable to that use.

PERC Phaseout

Federal environmental requirements are phasing PERC out of dry-cleaning and related spot-cleaning applications.

Facilities continuing to use PERC during applicable transition periods should determine:

• Whether their equipment may continue operating.
• Applicable compliance dates.
• Required workplace controls.
• Exposure requirements.
• Training requirements.
• Recordkeeping requirements.

A facility purchasing new equipment should not assume that continued PERC use is permissible merely because older equipment at the facility has historically used the solvent.

PERC Exposure

PERC vapor can enter the breathing zone during normal or abnormal operations.

Potential exposure sources include:

• Machine doors.
• Leaks.
• Solvent tanks.
• Filters.
• Still residues.
• Maintenance.
• Contaminated garments.
• Improper ventilation.

Facilities should reduce employee exposure through effective engineering controls, equipment maintenance, leak prevention, ventilation, and safe work practices.

PERC Skin Contact

Employees should avoid unnecessary skin contact with PERC.

Potential exposure can occur while:

• Handling solvent.
• Performing maintenance.
• Cleaning spills.
• Handling contaminated equipment.
• Changing filters.

Chemical-resistant gloves and other PPE should be selected according to the chemical and task.

Alternative Dry Cleaning Solvents

Alternative solvents should not automatically be considered harmless.

Depending on the product, hazards may include:

• Flammability.
• Skin irritation.
• Eye irritation.
• Vapor exposure.
• Central nervous system effects.
• Other chemical-specific health hazards.

Safety Data Sheets and manufacturer information should be reviewed for each product.

Petroleum-Based Solvents — When Applicable

Petroleum-based dry-cleaning solvents can create significant fire and explosion hazards.

Facilities using flammable or combustible solvents should maintain appropriate controls for:

• Storage.
• Ventilation.
• Ignition sources.
• Electrical equipment.
• Transfer.
• Spill response.
• Fire protection.

Equipment should be suitable for the solvent being used.

Solvent Changes

Changing from one dry-cleaning solvent to another should trigger a review of:

• Equipment compatibility.
• Ventilation.
• Fire hazards.
• PPE.
• Chemical storage.
• Spill procedures.
• Employee training.
• Waste handling.

A replacement solvent may introduce hazards different from those associated with the previous solvent.

Dry Cleaning Machines

Dry-cleaning machines should be operated according to manufacturer instructions and established facility procedures.

Employees should understand:

• Operating controls.
• Loading limits.
• Door interlocks.
• Solvent systems.
• Alarms.
• Emergency shutdown.
• Maintenance restrictions.

Employees should not bypass required safety devices.

Machine Doors

Employees should minimize unnecessary exposure when opening dry-cleaning machine doors.

Where solvent vapor may be present, procedures should allow equipment to complete required cycles before unloading.

Employees should report unusual solvent odors or vapor releases.

Machine Interlocks

Door interlocks and other safety devices should be maintained in operating condition.

Employees should not defeat, bypass, or modify safety interlocks.

Defective equipment should be evaluated before continued use.

Leak Prevention

Dry-cleaning equipment should be maintained to prevent solvent leaks.

Potential leak locations may include:

• Door gaskets.
• Hoses.
• Pumps.
• Valves.
• Filters.
• Connections.
• Piping.

Employees should promptly report suspected leaks.

Leak Inspections

Facilities using solvent-based systems should periodically inspect equipment for leakage according to applicable requirements and manufacturer recommendations.

Inspections should consider both visible liquid leakage and indications of vapor leakage.

Deficiencies should be corrected promptly.

Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance is an important control for both chemical exposure and equipment safety.

Maintenance may include:

• Gasket inspection.
• Hose inspection.
• Filter servicing.
• Pump maintenance.
• Ventilation maintenance.
• Leak repair.
• Safety-device testing.

Maintenance schedules should reflect equipment manufacturer recommendations and applicable regulatory requirements.

Filter Maintenance

Filters may contain concentrated solvent and chemical residues.

Before servicing filters, employees should:

• Follow manufacturer procedures.
• Control hazardous energy.
• Allow appropriate draining.
• Use required PPE.
• Minimize vapor exposure.

Used filters and residues should be handled according to applicable waste procedures.

Still and Distillation Equipment — When Applicable

Some dry-cleaning systems use distillation equipment to recover solvent.

Potential hazards may include:

• Heat.
• Solvent vapor.
• Pressure.
• Chemical residue.
• Hazardous energy.

Employees should not open or service equipment until safe conditions have been established.

Still Residue

Still bottoms and other solvent residues may contain concentrated contaminants.

Employees should avoid direct skin contact and unnecessary vapor exposure.

Residues should be collected and handled in suitable containers.

Ventilation

Ventilation can be an important control for dry-cleaning chemical exposure.

Systems should be designed and maintained for the actual process and chemicals used.

Employees should report:

• Failed ventilation.
• Persistent solvent odors.
• Damaged ducts.
• Unusual vapor accumulation.

Ventilation should not intentionally direct contaminants into occupied areas.

Local Exhaust Ventilation

Local exhaust ventilation may be used at:

• Dry-cleaning machines.
• Spotting stations.
• Chemical-handling areas.
• Other emission sources.

Capture systems should be maintained so they continue to perform their intended function.

General Ventilation

General ventilation can help prevent accumulation of solvent vapors but should not be treated as a substitute for effective source controls where those controls are necessary.

Airflow should not move contaminants into other occupied work areas.

Exposure Monitoring

Exposure monitoring may be necessary depending on the chemicals and processes used.

Monitoring may be used to evaluate:

• Employee exposure.
• Effectiveness of ventilation.
• Changes in equipment.
• Changes in work practices.
• Potential leaks.

Monitoring should reflect applicable occupational exposure requirements.

Air Contaminants

Dry-cleaning employees may be exposed to airborne contaminants from:

• Cleaning solvents.
• Spotting chemicals.
• Garment contamination.
• Maintenance chemicals.

Employee exposures should be controlled to applicable occupational exposure limits.

Spot Cleaning

Spot cleaning can involve concentrated chemical products used directly at a work station.

Potential exposure routes include:

• Inhalation.
• Skin contact.
• Eye contact.

Employees should use only approved products and follow chemical-specific procedures.

Spotting Chemicals

Spotting products may contain solvents, acids, alkalis, reducing agents, oxidizers, or other chemicals.

Employees should understand:

• Product hazards.
• Required PPE.
• Incompatibilities.
• Ventilation requirements.
• First-aid procedures.

Unknown products should not be used.

Spotting Stations

Spotting stations should be arranged to reduce employee exposure.

Controls may include:

• Local exhaust ventilation.
• Appropriate chemical containers.
• PPE.
• Spill controls.
• Safe storage.

Employees should keep containers closed when not in use.

Chemical Substitution

Where feasible, facilities may evaluate whether a less hazardous chemical can perform the required task.

Substitution decisions should consider the full hazard profile of the replacement product.

A product marketed as an alternative should not automatically be considered safer without evaluation.

Hazard Communication

Dry-cleaning facilities using hazardous chemicals should maintain an appropriate Hazard Communication Program.

The program should address:

• Chemical inventory.
• Labels.
• Safety Data Sheets.
• Employee information.
• Employee training.
• Workplace containers.
• Non-routine tasks.

Employees should understand the hazards of the chemicals they use.

Chemical Labels

Chemical containers should remain properly labeled.

Employees should not place solvents or spotting chemicals in:

• Beverage containers.
• Food containers.
• Unmarked containers.

Secondary containers should be labeled as required.

Safety Data Sheets

Safety Data Sheets should be accessible to employees.

Employees should know how to locate information concerning:

• Chemical hazards.
• PPE.
• First aid.
• Storage.
• Spill response.
• Incompatibilities.

Chemical Storage

Chemicals should be stored according to:

• Chemical compatibility.
• Flammability.
• Container requirements.
• Manufacturer instructions.

Storage areas should remain orderly and protected from damage.

Flammable and Combustible Materials

Facilities using flammable or combustible solvents require appropriate fire-prevention controls.

Potential ignition sources include:

• Open flames.
• Electrical equipment.
• Hot surfaces.
• Smoking.
• Static electricity.
• Maintenance activities.

Flammable materials should be stored and handled according to applicable requirements.

Fire Prevention

Dry-cleaning shops can contain significant combustible materials including:

• Garments.
• Packaging.
• Lint.
• Furniture.
• Building materials.

Fire prevention should address both ordinary combustibles and process chemicals.

Ignition Source Control

Ignition sources should be controlled where flammable vapors may be present.

Employees should follow facility restrictions involving:

• Smoking.
• Open flames.
• Hot Work.
• Portable electrical equipment.

Fire Extinguishers

Required portable fire extinguishers should be:

• Appropriate for anticipated hazards.
• Accessible.
• Inspected.
• Unobstructed.

Employees expected to use extinguishers should receive appropriate education or training.

Emergency Action Plan

Emergency procedures should address foreseeable dry-cleaning emergencies.

Potential emergencies may include:

• Fire.
• Solvent release.
• Chemical exposure.
• Equipment failure.
• Medical emergency.
• Severe weather.

Employees should understand emergency reporting, evacuation routes, exits, and assembly procedures.

Chemical Spills

Spill procedures should reflect the specific chemical involved.

Employees should:

• Identify the material.
• Keep unauthorized persons away.
• Review appropriate safety information.
• Use required PPE.
• Control ignition sources where necessary.
• Follow established cleanup procedures.

Employees should not perform spill response beyond their training and equipment.

Significant Solvent Releases

A large or uncontrolled solvent release may require evacuation and emergency assistance.

Employees should understand when an incident exceeds routine cleanup capability.

Untrained employees should not enter hazardous atmospheres to perform cleanup or rescue.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE should be selected through an appropriate hazard assessment.

Depending on tasks, PPE may include:

• Safety glasses.
• Chemical goggles.
• Face protection.
• Chemical-resistant gloves.
• Protective clothing.
• Protective footwear.
• Hearing protection.
• Respiratory protection.

PPE should be selected for the actual chemical and exposure.

Chemical-Resistant Gloves

Glove material should be compatible with the chemical being handled.

Employees should not assume ordinary disposable gloves provide adequate protection against dry-cleaning solvents.

Gloves should be inspected and replaced when damaged or contaminated.

Eye and Face Protection

Employees exposed to chemical splash hazards should use appropriate eye protection.

Additional face protection may be necessary for certain chemical-handling tasks.

Respiratory Protection — When Applicable

Engineering and work-practice controls should be used where feasible and required to control airborne exposure.

Where respirators are required, the facility should maintain an appropriate Respiratory Protection Program addressing:

• Medical evaluation.
• Respirator selection.
• Fit testing.
• Training.
• Inspection.
• Maintenance.
• Program evaluation.

Employees should not use unapproved respirators for solvent exposure.

Dry Cleaning Presses

Pressing equipment can expose employees to:

• Pinch points.
• Crushing.
• Heat.
• Steam.
• Repetitive motion.

Employees should be trained on the particular equipment they operate.

Required safety devices should remain functional.

Cabinet Presses

Cabinet presses can create serious pinch-point hazards.

Employees should remain clear of closing surfaces and other hazardous moving components.

Guards and safety devices should not be bypassed.

Press Safety Controls

Press controls may include:

• Two-hand controls.
• Guards.
• Interlocks.
• Emergency stops.
• Other safety devices.

Employees should not defeat safety controls to increase production speed.

Defective controls should be promptly repaired.

Steam Presses

Steam presses can expose employees to:

• Hot surfaces.
• Steam.
• Burns.
• Pinch points.

Employees should keep hands and body parts clear of hazardous closing areas.

Steam Hazards

Steam can cause severe burns.

Employees should report:

• Leaking valves.
• Damaged hoses.
• Failed fittings.
• Uncontrolled steam releases.

Steam equipment should be allowed to reach safe conditions before maintenance begins.

Boilers — When Applicable

Facilities operating boilers should maintain equipment according to applicable requirements and manufacturer instructions.

Potential hazards include:

• Pressure.
• Heat.
• Steam.
• Fuel.
• Electrical energy.

Only appropriately trained personnel should perform assigned boiler work.

Pressurized Systems

Employees should not open or service pressurized steam, air, or process systems until pressure has been safely relieved.

Stored pressure should be considered during maintenance planning.

Machine Guarding

Dry-cleaning and garment-care facilities may use:

• Presses.
• Conveyors.
• Packaging equipment.
• Laundry equipment.
• Alteration-shop machinery.

Moving components should be guarded according to applicable requirements.

Lockout/Tagout

Servicing and maintenance can expose employees to hazardous energy.

Applicable Lockout/Tagout procedures should be used where unexpected startup or release of stored energy could cause injury.

Potential equipment includes:

• Dry-cleaning machines.
• Presses.
• Conveyors.
• Pumps.
• Boilers.
• Laundry equipment.

Hazardous Energy

Energy sources may include:

• Electrical.
• Mechanical.
• Pneumatic.
• Steam.
• Pressure.
• Thermal energy.

Employees should identify all applicable energy sources before maintenance begins.

Jam Clearing

Employees should not reach into operating equipment to clear jams.

Equipment should be stopped and hazardous energy controlled as required before employees enter hazardous areas.

Electrical Safety

Electrical equipment should be maintained in safe condition.

Employees should report:

• Damaged cords.
• Exposed wiring.
• Broken plugs.
• Damaged switches.
• Electrical equipment exposed to leaks.

Electrical repairs should be performed by appropriately qualified personnel.

Extension Cords

Extension cords should be used only as appropriate for temporary applications.

Damaged cords should be removed from service.

Cords should not create trip hazards or be exposed to conditions that could damage them.

Ergonomics

Dry-cleaning work can involve frequent:

• Reaching.
• Lifting.
• Pressing.
• Sorting.
• Hanging.
• Bagging.
• Repetitive hand movements.

These activities can contribute to musculoskeletal discomfort and injury.

Garment Transfer

Repeated transfer of garments between machines, carts, racks, and presses can expose employees to repetitive-motion and awkward-posture hazards.

Workstations should be arranged to reduce unnecessary:

• Reaching.
• Bending.
• Twisting.
• Lifting.

Pressing Ergonomics

Press operators may perform repetitive upper-body movements throughout the workday.

Potential controls may include:

• Appropriate work height.
• Reduced reaching.
• Task rotation.
• Anti-fatigue measures.
• Equipment positioning.

Bagging and Packaging

Garment bagging may involve repetitive:

• Reaching.
• Shoulder movement.
• Hand activity.
• Standing.

Equipment and workflow should be arranged to reduce unnecessary physical strain.

Garment Racks and Conveyors

Employees should avoid:

• Overloading racks.
• Climbing on racks.
• Standing in conveyor travel paths.
• Placing hands near moving conveyor components.

Powered garment conveyors should be properly maintained.

Manual Material Handling

Employees may handle:

• Garments.
• Bags.
• Chemical containers.
• Supplies.
• Equipment parts.
• Laundry.

Mechanical assistance or team lifting should be used where appropriate.

Carts

Carts should be:

• Maintained.
• Properly loaded.
• Kept within safe capacity.

Employees should push rather than pull heavy carts where appropriate to the equipment and conditions.

Slips, Trips and Falls

Potential hazards may include:

• Solvent or chemical spills.
• Wet floors.
• Steam leaks.
• Garments.
• Plastic bags.
• Cords.
• Hoses.

Walking surfaces should be maintained in clean and orderly condition.

Walking-Working Surfaces

Floors should be maintained to reduce slip and trip hazards.

Damaged flooring should be repaired.

Aisles and emergency exits should remain clear.

Housekeeping

Good housekeeping can reduce:

• Fire hazards.
• Trips.
• Chemical exposure.
• Equipment obstructions.

Employees should promptly remove:

• Lint.
• Packaging.
• Garments from walkways.
• Waste.
• Chemical residue.

Lint Control

Lint can accumulate around:

• Equipment.
• Motors.
• Heating equipment.
• Dryers.
• Ventilation systems.

Accumulations should be removed according to established procedures.

Laundry Operations — When Applicable

Some dry-cleaning establishments also perform conventional laundry services.

Where laundry equipment is used, additional hazards may involve:

• Washers.
• Dryers.
• Extractors.
• Ironers.
• Folding equipment.
• Hot water.
• Steam.
• Repetitive handling.

Applicable laundry safety procedures should be incorporated into the manual.

Washers and Extractors — When Applicable

Employees should not reach into moving equipment.

Doors and safety interlocks should be maintained.

Lockout/Tagout procedures should be used during covered maintenance activities.

Dryers — When Applicable

Dryer safety should address:

• Heat.
• Lint.
• Fire.
• Moving equipment.
• Ventilation.

Lint should be removed according to established maintenance procedures.

Ironers — When Applicable

Flatwork ironers and similar equipment can create:

• Pinch points.
• Burns.
• Entanglement.

Employees should use guards and safety devices as designed.

Alteration Areas — When Applicable

Dry cleaners may provide sewing and alteration services.

Potential hazards may include:

• Needles.
• Cutting tools.
• Sewing machines.
• Electrical equipment.
• Ergonomic strain.

Equipment should be maintained and employees trained in safe use.

Sharps in Garments

Employees may encounter:

• Pins.
• Needles.
• Broken glass.
• Razor blades.
• Other sharp objects

left in pockets or attached to garments.

Employees should avoid blindly reaching into garment pockets.

Appropriate procedures should be established for handling discovered sharps.

Contaminated Garments

Garments may occasionally arrive contaminated with:

• Chemicals.
• Oils.
• Unknown residues.
• Body fluids.
• Other hazardous substances.

Employees should not process visibly contaminated items without first evaluating the hazard.

Bloodborne Pathogens — When Applicable

Ordinary garments received from the general public do not automatically create occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

However, additional procedures may be necessary where employees are reasonably anticipated to handle items contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials as part of their job duties.

Applicability should be evaluated based on the work actually accepted and performed.

Medical or Institutional Laundry — When Applicable

A dry cleaner accepting contaminated garments or laundry from healthcare, laboratory, mortuary, or other specialized operations may require additional procedures.

These may address:

• Contaminated laundry.
• Bloodborne Pathogens.
• PPE.
• Handling.
• Storage.
• Transportation.

The facility should understand the nature of the materials it agrees to process.

First Aid

First-aid resources should reflect facility hazards and emergency-response availability.

Potential injuries may include:

• Chemical exposure.
• Burns.
• Cuts.
• Pinch-point injuries.
• Musculoskeletal injuries.
• Slips and falls.

Employees should know how to obtain emergency medical assistance.

Emergency Eyewash

Where employees may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick flushing of the eyes and body should be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use as required.

Emergency equipment should remain accessible and maintained.

Heat Stress

Employees working around:

• Presses.
• Boilers.
• Steam.
• Dryers.
• Poorly cooled work areas

may experience elevated heat exposure.

Heat-illness prevention should consider:

• Temperature.
• Humidity.
• Workload.
• Hydration.
• Rest.
• Ventilation.

Indoor Air Quality

Facility air quality may be affected by:

• Solvents.
• Spotting chemicals.
• Steam.
• Heat.
• Poor ventilation.

Persistent odors or employee symptoms should be investigated rather than assumed to be a normal part of dry-cleaning work.

Maintenance Safety

Maintenance should be performed according to:

• Manufacturer instructions.
• Facility procedures.
• Applicable safety requirements.

Employees should not service equipment unless they have appropriate training and authorization.

Contractor Safety

Dry cleaners may use contractors for:

• Machine servicing.
• Boilers.
• Electrical work.
• Ventilation.
• Solvent systems.
• Building maintenance.

Facility and contractor responsibilities should be coordinated.

Contractors should be informed of relevant chemical and equipment hazards.

Customer Areas

Customer-access areas should be maintained to reduce:

• Slips.
• Trips.
• Falling garments.
• Obstructions.

Customers should be kept away from chemical storage, machine rooms, and other restricted work areas.

Workplace Security

Dry-cleaning employees may work:

• Alone.
• During early morning hours.
• During evening hours.
• While handling cash.

Appropriate workplace-security procedures should address:

• Suspicious activity.
• Robbery.
• Threats.
• Emergency communication.

Incident Reporting

Employees should promptly report:

• Injuries.
• Chemical exposures.
• Solvent leaks.
• Fires.
• Equipment malfunctions.
• Near misses.
• Unsafe conditions.

Early reporting of equipment leaks can help prevent larger employee exposures.

Incident Investigation

Significant incidents should be investigated to identify:

• Immediate causes.
• Contributing factors.
• Root causes.
• Corrective actions.

Investigations may consider:

• Equipment.
• Maintenance.
• Ventilation.
• Procedures.
• Training.
• Chemical selection.
• PPE.
• Supervision.

Root Cause Analysis

Root Cause Analysis may identify underlying issues involving:

• Preventive maintenance.
• Equipment design.
• Procedures.
• Training.
• Chemical controls.
• Ventilation.
• Staffing.
• Supervision.
• Corrective-action systems.

Corrective actions should address identified causes rather than simply assigning blame.

Dry Cleaning Safety Inspections

Periodic inspections should evaluate applicable:

• Dry-cleaning machines.
• Solvent systems.
• Chemical storage.
• Spotting stations.
• Ventilation.
• Presses.
• Boilers.
• Electrical equipment.
• Fire protection.
• Walking surfaces.
• PPE.
• Emergency equipment.

Deficiencies should be corrected according to risk and applicable requirements.

Dry Cleaning Machine Inspections

Machine inspections may address:

• Leaks.
• Gaskets.
• Hoses.
• Connections.
• Door seals.
• Safety interlocks.
• Controls.
• Ventilation.

Employees should promptly report abnormal operating conditions.

Press Inspections

Presses should be inspected for:

• Guards.
• Safety controls.
• Leaks.
• Steam systems.
• Emergency stops.
• Mechanical defects.

Unsafe equipment should be removed from service until corrected.

Dry Cleaning Safety Training

Employee training should reflect assigned duties.

Depending on responsibilities, training may address:

• Dry-cleaning solvents.
• PERC, when applicable.
• Alternative solvents.
• Hazard Communication.
• Spotting chemicals.
• PPE.
• Press operation.
• Machine safety.
• Lockout/Tagout.
• Fire prevention.
• Emergency procedures.

Employees should not independently operate specialized equipment until appropriately trained.

New Employee Orientation

New employees should receive appropriate safety orientation before independently performing assigned work.

Orientation may address:

• Chemical hazards.
• Equipment.
• PPE.
• Fire safety.
• Emergency procedures.
• Hazard reporting.
• Restricted areas.

Solvent-Specific Training

Employees should receive training on the actual cleaning solvent used at the facility.

Training should address:

• Health hazards.
• Fire hazards.
• Exposure routes.
• PPE.
• Spill response.
• Safe work practices.

Training should be updated when the facility changes solvent systems.

Equipment-Specific Training

Employees should understand the equipment they are authorized to operate.

Training may address:

• Controls.
• Safety devices.
• Normal operation.
• Emergency shutdown.
• Prohibited practices.
• Inspection.
• Maintenance restrictions.

Refresher Training

Additional training may be appropriate following:

• Equipment changes.
• Solvent changes.
• Chemical incidents.
• Unsafe work practices.
• Near misses.
• Procedure changes.
• Identified knowledge gaps.

Safety Meetings

Periodic safety meetings may reinforce topics such as:

• Solvent exposure.
• Spotting chemicals.
• Press safety.
• Fire prevention.
• Ergonomics.
• PPE.
• Spill response.
• Recent incidents.

Recordkeeping

Dry-cleaning facilities should maintain applicable safety and health records.

Records may include:

• Employee training.
• Chemical inventories.
• Safety Data Sheets.
• Exposure monitoring.
• Respiratory Protection records.
• Equipment inspections.
• Preventive maintenance.
• Incident investigations.
• Injury and illness records.

Records should be retained according to applicable requirements.

Additional Safety Programs

Depending on facility processes and employee exposures, additional programs may be necessary for:

• Dry Cleaning Safety.
• Dry Cleaning Solvent Safety.
• Perchloroethylene/PERC Safety.
• Alternative Solvent Safety.
• Spotting Chemical Safety.
• Chemical Storage & Compatibility.
• Hazard Communication.
• Exposure Monitoring.
• Ventilation.
• Respiratory Protection.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Dry Cleaning Machine Safety.
• Machine Guarding.
• Press Safety.
• Steam Safety.
• Boiler Safety.
• Lockout/Tagout.
• Electrical Safety.
• Flammable Liquids.
• Fire Prevention.
• Chemical Spill Response.
• Emergency Action Plan.
• Ergonomics.
• Manual Material Handling.
• Walking-Working Surfaces.
• Slips, Trips & Falls.
• Laundry Equipment Safety.
• Bloodborne Pathogens.
• Heat Stress Prevention.
• First Aid.
• Workplace Security.
• Contractor Safety.
• Incident Reporting & Investigation.
• Root Cause Analysis.

Programs should be included when the facility’s processes and employee exposures make them applicable.

Building a Dry Cleaning Safety Manual

A useful Dry Cleaning Safety Manual should reflect the actual cleaning technology, solvents, chemicals, equipment, and services used by the facility.

A facility continuing to use PERC during an allowable transition period may require extensive procedures for solvent exposure, ventilation, leak prevention, equipment maintenance, chemical handling, PPE, exposure requirements, and changing federal environmental requirements.

A facility using a hydrocarbon or petroleum-based solvent may require greater emphasis on flammable-liquid handling, ignition-source control, ventilation, electrical hazards, fire prevention, and spill response.

A facility using another alternative solvent should evaluate that product’s specific health, fire, chemical, and environmental hazards rather than simply applying old PERC procedures to a different chemical.

A professional wet-cleaning operation may have substantially less solvent exposure but still require programs for machinery, presses, hot water, steam, chemicals, ergonomics, electrical safety, slips and falls, and material handling.

A dry cleaner that also operates a commercial laundry may require additional procedures for washers, extractors, dryers, ironers, folding equipment, lint control, contaminated laundry where applicable, and repetitive material handling.

The safety manual should therefore be based on the facility’s actual processes rather than assuming that all dry cleaners use the same solvent or equipment.

Customized Dry Cleaning Safety Manuals

A Dry Cleaning Safety Manual can be developed around the facility’s cleaning processes, solvents, spotting chemicals, machines, presses, ventilation, steam systems, laundry equipment, maintenance activities, employees, and other occupational hazards.

The finished manual may incorporate applicable programs for Dry Cleaning Solvent Safety, PERC Safety, Alternative Solvents, Hazard Communication, Chemical Storage, Ventilation, PPE, Respiratory Protection, Machine Guarding, Press Safety, Lockout/Tagout, Fire Prevention, Ergonomics, Emergency Planning, Incident Investigation, and other hazards associated with dry-cleaning operations.

This provides independent dry cleaners, garment-care businesses, multi-location cleaners, cleaning plants, and combined laundry and dry-cleaning operations with a practical safety manual organized around the work their employees actually perform.