Be Part of the Ultimate Safety & Compliance Community
Trending news, knowledge-building content, and more – all personalized to you!
Standard Number: 1910.111(b); 1910.111(e)
October 29, 1986
Mr. Lucas A. Seeman
Senior Vice President
Ozalid Corporation
P.O. Box 2000
Binghamton, New York 13902-2000
Dear Mr. Seeman:
This is in response to your letter of September 16, concerning your desire for a directive which would clarify the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements relative to the use of anhydrous ammonia in Diazo Reproduction machines. An OSHA directive is unnecessary, since this letter clarifies the situation and provides an official interpretation relative to the matter.
Portable D.O.T. containers (cylinder) of anhydrous ammonia which are in-use and/or manifolded to an approved and listed blueprint reproduction machine, such as the Diazo Reproduction machine manufactured by OZALID, are not regulated under the storage requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.111(b). Therefore, there is no OSHA requirement that employers provide gas masks, water, or showers in the vicinity of such reproduction machines. However, properly manifolded D.O.T. cylinders connected to in-use reproduction machines shall comply with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.111(e).
It is acknowledged that due to the repugnant odor of ammonia, reproduction machines which develop slight leaks would cause operators and clerical staff to shut down such defective equipment and leave the area before levels of 10 PPM were attained. Since the standards at 29 CFR 1910.1000, table Z-1, require exposure levels to be less than 50 PPM T.W.A., it is unlikely that employee exposure in excess of the OSHA standard would result from the use of an approved and listed blueprint reproduction machine.
If we may be of further assistance, please contact us.
Sincerely,
John B. Miles, Jr.,
Director
Directorate of Field Operations