The cotton dust standard applies to the elastic fabric industry

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 16, 1986

Mr. Karl Spilhaus
President
Northern Textile Association
211 Congress Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110

Dear Mr. Spilhaus:

This is an update to our response of March 5 to your letter of February 4, concerning braided and woven elastic fabrics.

We wish to thank you for the videotape Mr. Stig Bolgen of your Association sent demonstrating two different types of looms producing narrow fabrics. After having reviewed the tape, we now provide the clarification you requested.

The use of disposable respirators where cotton dust concentration is no greater than five times the PEL.

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 15, 1986

Peter G. Nash, Esq.
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak and Stewart
1200 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Suite 230
Washington, D.C. 20036

Dear Mr. Nash:

Employee exposure to cotton dust.

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 10, 1986

Mr. John C. Lumsden
Vice President, Health
ELB Associates, Monitor Inc.
605 Eastowne Drive
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514

Dear Mr. Lumsden:

This is in response to your February 6 letter to Ms. Susan Harwood, concerning the cotton dust standard, 29 CFR 1910.1043.

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.

 

Adjusting cotton dust permissible exposure limits (PELs) for extended work shifts.

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 6, 1990

Mr. O'Jay Niles
Director, Product Services
American Textile Manufacturers Institute, Inc.
1801 K Street, N. W.
Suite 900
Washington, D.C. 20006

Dear Mr. Niles:

This is in response to your letter of September 12, to Mr. H. Berrien Zettler, requesting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to review the requirement for adjusting cotton dust permissible exposure limits (PELs) for extended work shifts.

Employees in a cotton yarn manufacturing plant who voluntarily wear cloth over their mouths and noses to prevent lint from sticking to their skin.

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 9, 1995

Mr. William K. Principe
Constangy, Brooks & Smith
Attorneys at Law
Suite 2400
230 Peachtree Street, N.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1557

Dear Mr. Principe:

Cotton Dust Standard and CD-ROMs for storing medical and exposure records.

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 5, 1994

Mr. Mitchell S. Allen
Constangy, Brooks & Smith
Attorneys At Law, Suite 2400
230 Peachtree Street, N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30303-1557

Dear Mr. Allen:

This is in response to your letter of September 12, concerning (1) spirometers for conducting the testing required by the Cotton Dust Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1043, and (2) CD-ROMs for storing medical and exposure records.

Regulations For Cotton Waste Operations

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 10, 1991

MEMORANDUM FOR:     R. DAVIS LAYNE
                   REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR

FROM:               PATRICIA K. CLARK, DIRECTOR 
                   DIRECTORATE OF COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS

THROUGH:            LEO CAREY, DIRECTOR 
                   OFFICE OF FIELD COORDINATION

Subject:            Regulations For Cotton Waste Operations

This is in response to your memorandum of February 11, requesting that the permissible exposure limits (PELs) and the parts of cotton dust standard (29 CFR 1910.1043) applying to cotton waste operations be clarified.

Tufting of undyed and unwashed cotton is not covered in the scope of the revised cotton standard of December 13, 1985

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.

June 4, 1986

Mr. Richard N. Hopper
Director of Governmental Affairs
The Carpet and Rug Institute
Suite 1000
1100 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036

Dear Mr. Hopper:

This is in response to your letter of March 27 to Dr. Susan Harwood, concerning the tufting of undyed and (we presume) unwashed cotton. Please excuse the delay in our response.

Persons conducting pulmonary function testing to complete NIOSH spirometry course.

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 26, 1981

Ms. Cindy Nelson, RRT
Technical Director
Charlotte Chest Laboratory
Suite 215
1928 Randolph Road
Charlotte, N.C. 28207

Dear Ms. Nelson:

This is in response to your inquiry to Mr. Gail Brinkerhoff of my staff concerning training requirements for persons who administer the pulmonary function testing required by the cotton dust standard, 29 CFR 1910.1043. Please accept my apology for the delay in replying.