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• Standard Number: 1910.119

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 http://www.osha.gov.


June 19, 1992

Mr. Gary Myers, President
The Fertilizer Institute
501 Second Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002

Dear Mr. Myers:

Thank you for your letter of March 27 to Acting Assistant Secretary Dorothy L. Strunk, requesting interpretations and clarifications of the Final Rule on Process Safety Management (PSM) of Highly Hazardous Chemicals, 29 CFR 1910.119, published in Volume 57, Number 36 of the Federal Register on Monday, February 24, 1992. In your letter, you requested written confirmation that facilities at which fertilizer is stored or at which fertilizer is blended for direct sale to end users are retail facilities which are excluded from employer compliance with the PSM standards.

The facilities you describe sell directly to end users or consumers, for example, farmers. Also, you note that these facilities comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards at 29 CFR 1910.111, for the storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia. With respect to enforcement of the PSM Standard, a retail facility means an establishment, which would otherwise be subject to the PSM standard, at which more than half of the income is obtained from direct sales to end users. Fertilizer establishments meeting this criterion would be exempt from the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.119.

Thank you for your interest in occupational safety and health. If we may be of further assistance, please contact us.

Sincerely,

Patricia K. Clark, Director
[Directorate of Enforcement Programs]

[Corrected 7/16/2004]

Standard Interpretations - Table of Contents Standard Interpretations - Table of Contents