Standards Improvement Project-Phase II

  • Publication Date:
  • Publication Type:
  • Fed Register #:
    70:1111-1144
  • Title:
    Standards Improvement Project-Phase II 
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 5, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1111-1144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-28221]


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Part V





Department of Labor





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Occupational Safety and Health Administration



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29 CFR Parts 1910, 1915, and 1926



Standards Improvement Project-

Clarification on respirator use relating to the benzene standard.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

April 6, 1989

Dr. Richard F. Boggs
Vice President
Organization Resources Counselors, Inc.
1910 Sunderland Place, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036

Dear Dr. Boggs:

This is in response to your letter of September 29, 1988, requesting clarification on several issues relating to compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) final rule on occupational exposure to benzene. Please accept my apology for the delay in response.

I will respond to your questions in the order in which they were raised:

Question 1:

Monitoring employee exposures to airborne benzene.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

November 13, 1989

Mr. Rob J. Lee
Division Manager
400 Mann Street, Room 300
Corpus Christi, Texas 78401

Dear Mr. Lee:

This is in response to your letter to the Corpus Christi Area Office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) concerning monitoring employee exposures to airborne benzene.

Respiratory Protection Tables

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

December 18, 1989

MEMORANDUM FOR:       LINDA. R. ANKU
                     REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR

THROUGH:              LEO CAREY, DIRECTOR
                     OFFICE OF FIELD PROGRAMS

FROM:                 THOMAS J. SHEPICH, DIRECTOR
                     DIRECTORATE OF COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS

SUBJECT:              Respiratory Protection Table

This is in response to your memorandum of September 12, 1989, concerning the respiratory protection tables in standard 29 CFR 1910.1028 for benzene and standard 29 CFR 1910.1025 for inorganic lead.

Pulmonary function testing training requirements and spirometer transmission of disease.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

 

Respirator selection requirements prescribed in the OSHA standard on benzene exposure.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

January 10, 1994

Mr. David S. Pearson
Atlantic Environmental Incorporated
2 E. Blackwell Street
Dover, New Jersey 07801

Dear Mr. Pearson:

Thank you for your letter of December 13, 1993 concerning respirator selection requirements prescribed in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard on benzene exposure, 29 CFR 1910.1028. You requested confirmation of answers of two questions for which Mr. Ching-tsen Bien of my staff had responded during your telephone conversation with him.

The answers to your questions follow:

OSHA's final standard for occupational exposure to benzene.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

August 16, 1988

Dr. Richard F. Boggs
Vice President
Organization Resources Counselors, Inc.
National Place, Suite 911
1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004

Dear Dr. Boggs:

Applicability of the Benzene Standard and respirator requirements for bulk gasoline storage facilities.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

May 23, 1988

Ms. Amy R. Graham
Counsel Petroleum Marketers
Association of America
1120 Vermont Ave., N.W., Suite 1130
Washington, D.C. 20005

Dear Ms. Graham:

Application of PEL for benzene to extended workshifts

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

March 22, 1988

Mr. Edgar L. McGowan
Commissioner Department of Labor
Post Office Box 11329
Columbia, South Carolina 29211

Dear Mr. McGowan:

This responds to you letter dated February 4, to Karen Mann, Acting Regional Administrator in Atlanta, requesting clarification of OSHA policy relative to the adjustment of the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for benzene for extended workshifts. Your letter was forwarded to my office for response.

Medical Surveillance requirements of the Benzene Standard.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

March 14, 1988

Mr. Richard Boggs
Vice President
Organization Resources Counselors, Inc.
National Place, Suite 911
1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004

Dear Mr. Boggs:

This is in further response to your letter of November 24, 1987, regarding the medical surveillance provisions of the benzene standard, 29 CFR 1910.1028(i). We believe some additional clarification may be needed to our response of February 8.