[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 6]
[Revised as of July 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1910.1043]
[Page 276-304]
TITLE 29--LABOR
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT
OF LABOR
PART 1910_OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS (CONTINUED)--Table of
Contents
Subpart Z_Toxic and Hazardous Substances
Sec. 1910.1043 Cotton dust.
(a) Scope and application. (1) This section, in its entirety,
applies to the control of employee exposure to cotton dust in all
workplaces where employees engage in yarn manufacturing, engage in
slashing and weaving operations, or work in waste houses for textile
operations.
(2) This section does not apply to the handling or processing of
woven or knitted materials; to maritime operations covered by 29 CFR
Parts 1915 and 1918; to harvesting or ginning of cotton; or to the
construction industry.
(3) Only paragraphs (h) Medical surveillance, (k)(2) through (4)
Recordkeeping--Medical Records, and Appendices B, C and D of this
section apply in all work places where employees exposed to cotton dust
engage in cottonseed processing or waste processing operations.
(4) This section applies to yarn manufacturing and slashing and
weaving operations exclusively using washed cotton (as defined by
paragraph (n) of this section) only to the extent specified by paragraph
(n) of this section.
(5) This section, in its entirety, applies to the control of all
employees exposure to the cotton dust generated in the preparation of
washed cotton from opening until the cotton is thoroughly wetted.
(6) This section does not apply to knitting, classing or warehousing
operations except that employers with these operations, if requested by
NIOSH, shall grant NIOSH access to their employees and workplaces for
exposure monitoring and medical examinations for purposes of a health
study to be performed by NIOSH on a sampling basis.
(b) Definitions. For the purpose of this section:
Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of Labor for
Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Labor, or designee;
Blow down means the general cleaning of a room or a part of a room
by the use of compressed air.
Blow off means the use of compressed air for cleaning of short
duration and usually for a specific machine or any portion of a machine.
Cotton dust means dust present in the air during the handling or
processing of cotton, which may contain a mixture of many substances
including ground up plant matter, fiber, bacteria, fungi, soil,
pesticides, non-cotton plant matter and other contaminants which may
have accumulated with the cotton during the growing, harvesting and
subsequent processing or storage periods. Any dust present during the
handling and processing of cotton through the weaving or knitting of
fabrics, and dust present in other operations or manufacturing processes
using raw or waste cotton fibers or cotton fiber byproducts from textile
mills are considered cotton dust within this definition. Lubricating oil
mist associated with weaving operations is not considered cotton dust.
Director means the Director of the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, or designee.
Equivalent Instrument means a cotton dust sampling device that meets
the vertical elutriator equivalency requirements as described in
paragraph (d)(1)(iii) of this section.
Lint-free respirable cotton dust means particles of cotton dust of
approximately 15 micrometers or less aerodynamic equivalent diameter;
Vertical elutriator cotton dust sampler or vertical elutriator means
a dust sampler which has a particle size cut-off at approximately 15
micrometers aerodynamic equivalent diameter when operating at the flow
rate of 7.4 0.2 liters of air per minute;
Waste processing means waste recycling (sorting, blending, cleaning
and willowing) and garnetting.
[[Page 277]]
Yarn manufacturing means all textile mill operations from opening
to, but not including, slashing and weaving.
(c) Permissible exposure limits and action levels--(1) Permissible
exposure limits (PEL). (i) The employer shall assure that no employee
who is exposed to cotton dust in yarn manufacturing and cotton washing
operations is exposed to airborne concentrations of lint-free respirable
cotton dust greater than 200 [micro]g/m\3\ mean concentration, averaged
over an eight-hour period, as measured be a vertical elutriator or an
equivalent instrument.
(ii) The employer shall assure that no employee who is exposed to
cotton dust in textile mill waste house operations or is exposed in yarn
manufacturing to dust from ``lower grade washed cotton'' as defined in
paragraph (n)(5) of this section is exposed to airborne concentrations
of lint-free respirable cotton dust greater than 500 [micro]g/m\3\ mean
concentration, averaged over an eight-hour period, as measured by a
vertical elutriator or an equivalent instrument.
(iii) The employer shall assure that no employee who is exposed to
cotton dust in the textile processes known as slashing and weaving is
exposed to airborne concentrations of lint-free respirable cotton dust
greater than 750 [micro]g/m\3\ mean concentration, averaged over an
eight hour period, as measured by a vertical elutriator or an equivalent
instrument.
(2) Action levels. (i) The action level for yarn manufacturing and
cotton washing operations is an airborne concentration of lint-free
respirable cotton dust of 100 [micro]g/m\3\ mean concentration, averaged
over an eight-hour period, as measured by a vertical elutriator or an
equivalent instrument.
(ii) The action level for waste houses for textile operations is an
airborne concentration of lint-free respirable cotton dust of 250
[micro]g/m\3\ mean concentration, averaged over an eight-hour period, as
measured by a vertical elutriator or an equivalent instrument.
(iii) The action level for the textile processes known as slashing
and weaving is an airborne concentration of lint-free respirable cotton
dust of 375 [micro]g/m\3\ mean concentration, averaged over an eight-
hour period, as measured by a vertical elutriator or an equivalent
instrument.
(d) Exposure monitoring and measurement--(1) General. (i) For the
purposes of this section, employee exposure is that exposure which would
occur if the employee were not using a respirator.
(ii) The sampling device to be used shall be either the vertical
elutriator cotton dust sampler or an equivalent instrument.
(iii) If an alternative to the vertical elutriator cotton dust
sampler is used, the employer shall establish equivalency by reference
to an OSHA opinion or by documenting, based on data developed by the
employer or supplied by the manufacturer, that the alternative sampling
devices meets the following criteria:
(A) It collects respirable particulates in the same range as the
vertical elutriator (approximately 15 microns);
(B) Replicate exposure data used to establish equivalency are
collected in side-by-side field and laboratory comparisons; and
(C) A minimum of 100 samples over the range of 0.5 to 2 times the
permissible exposure limit are collected, and 90% of these samples have
an accuracy range of plus or minus 25 per cent of the vertical
elutriator reading with a 95% confidence level as demonstrated by a
statistically valid protocol. (An acceptable protocol for demonstrating
equivalency is described in Appendix E of this section.)
(iv) OSHA will issue a written opinion stating that an instrument is
equivalent to a vertical elutriator cotton dust sampler if
(A) A manufacturer or employer requests an opinion in writing and
supplies the following information:
(1) Sufficient test data to demonstrate that the instrument meets
the requirements specified in this paragraph and the protocol specified
in Appendix E of this section;
(2) Any other relevant information about the instrument and its
testing requested by OSHA; and
(3) A certification by the manufacturer or employer that the
information supplied is accurate, and
(B) if OSHA finds, based on information submitted about the
instrument,
[[Page 278]]
that the instrument meets the requirements for equivalency specified by
paragraph (d) of this section.
(2) Initial monitoring. Each employer who has a place of employment
within the scope of paragraph (a)(1), (a)(4), or (a)(5) of this section
shall conduct monitoring by obtaining measurements which are
representative of the exposure of all employees to airborne
concentrations of lint-free respirable cotton dust over an eight-hour
period. The sampling program shall include at least one determination
during each shift for each work area.
(3) Periodic monitoring. (i) If the initial monitoring required by
paragraph (d)(2) of this section or any subsequent monitoring reveals
employee exposure to be at or below the permissible exposure limit, the
employer shall repeat the monitoring for those employees at least
annually.
(ii) If the initial monitoring required by paragraph (d)(2) of this
section or any subsequent monitoring reveals employee exposure to be
above the PEL, the employer shall repeat the monitoring for those
employees at least every six months.
(iii) Whenever there has been a production, process, or control
change which may result in new or additional exposure to cotton dust, or
whenever the employer has any other reason to suspect an increase in
employee exposure, the employer shall repeat the monitoring and
measurements for those employees affected by the change or increase.
(4) Employee notification. (i) The employer must, within 15 working
days after the receipt of the results of any monitoring performed under
this section, notify each affected employee of these results either
individually in writing or by posting the results in an appropriate
location that is accessible to employees.
(ii) Whenever the results indicate that the employee's exposure
exceeds the applicable permissible exposure limit specified in paragraph
(c) of this section, the employer shall include in the written notice a
statement that the permissible exposure limit was exceeded and a
description of the corrective action taken to reduce exposure below the
permissible exposure limit.
(e) Methods of compliance--(1) Engineering and work practice
controls. The employer shall institute engineering and work practice
controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to cotton dust at or
below the permissible exposure limit specified in paragraph (c) of this
section, except to the extent that the employer can establish that such
controls are not feasible.
(2) Whenever feasible engineering and work practice controls are not
sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the permissible
exposure limit, the employer shall nonetheless institute these controls
to reduce exposure to the lowest feasible level, and shall supplement
these controls with the use of respirators which shall comply with the
provisions of paragraph (f) of this section.
(3) Compliance program. (i) Where the most recent exposure
monitoring data indicates that any employee is exposed to cotton dust
levels greater than the permissible exposure limit, the employer shall
establish and implement a written program sufficient to reduce exposures
to or below the permissible exposure limit solely by means of
engineering controls and work practices as required by paragraph (e)(1)
of this section.
(ii) The written program shall include at least the following:
(A) A description of each operation or process resulting in employee
exposure to cotton dust at levels greater than the PEL;
(B) Engineering plans and other studies used to determine the
controls for each process;
(C) A report of the technology considered in meeting the permissible
exposure limit;
(D) Monitoring data obtained in accordance with paragraph (d) of
this section;
(E) A detailed schedule for development and implementation of
engineering and work practice controls, including exposure levels
projected to be achieved by such controls;
(F) Work practice program; and
(G) Other relevant information.
(iii) The employer's schedule as set forth in the compliance
program, shall project completion of the implementation of the
compliance program no
[[Page 279]]
later than March 27, 1984 or as soon as possible if monitoring after
March 27, 1984 reveals exposures over the PEL, except as provided in
paragraph (m)(2)(ii)(B) of this section.
(iv) The employer shall complete the steps set forth in his program
by the dates in the schedule.
(v) Written programs shall be submitted, upon request, to the
Assistant Secretary and the Director, and shall be available at the
worksite for examination and copying by the Assistant Secretary, the
Director, and any affected employee or their designated representatives.
(vi) The written program required under paragraph (e)(3) of this
section shall be revised and updated when necessary to reflect the
current status of the program and current exposure levels.
(4) Mechanical ventilation. When mechanical ventilation is used to
control exposure, measurements which demonstrate the effectiveness of
the system to control exposure, such as capture velocity, duct velocity,
or static pressure shall be made at reasonable intervals.
(f) Respiratory protection--(1) General. For employees who are
required to use respirators by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Respirators must be used during:
(i) Periods necessary to install or implement feasible engineering
and work-practice controls.
(ii) Maintenance and repair activities for which engineering and
work-practice controls are not feasible.
(iii) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-
practice controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposure to
or below the permissible exposure limits.
(iv) Work operations specified under paragraph (g)(1) of this
section.
(v) Periods for which an employee requests a respirator.
(2) Respirator program. (i) The employer must implement a
respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b)
through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii)), and (f) through (m).
(ii) Whenever a physician determines that an employee who works in
an area in which the cotton-dust concentration exceeds the PEL is unable
to use a respirator, including a powered air-purifying respirator, the
employee must be given the opportunity to transfer to an available
position, or to a position that becomes available later, that has a
cotton-dust concentration at or below the PEL. The employer must ensure
that such employees retain their current wage rate or other benefits as
a result of the transfer.
(3) Respirator selection. (i) The employer must select the
appropriate respirator from Table I of this section.
Table I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton dust concentration Required respirator
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not greater than:
(a) 5 x the applicable A disposable respirator with a
permissible exposure particulate filter.
limit (PEL).
(b) 10 x the applicable A quarter or half-mask respirator, other
PEL. than a disposable respirator, equipped
with particulate filters.
(c) 100 x the applicable A full facepiece respirator equipped with
PEL. high-efficiency particulate filters.
(d) Greater than 100 x A powered air-purifying respirator
the applicable PEL. equipped with high-efficiency
particulate filters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
1. A disposable respirator means the filter element is an inseparable
part of the respirator.
2. Any respirators permitted at higher environmental concentrations can
be used at lower concentrations.
3. Self-contained breathing apparatus are not required respirators but
are permitted respirators.
4. Supplied air respirators are not required but are permitted under
the following conditions: Cotton dust concentration not greater than
10X the PEL--Any supplied air respirator; not greater than 100X the
PEL--Any supplied air respirator with full facepiece, helmet or hood;
greater than 100X the PEL--A supplied air respirator operated in
positive pressure mode.
(ii) Whenever respirators are required by this section for cotton-
dust concentrations that do not exceed the applicable permissible
exposure limit by a multiple of 100 (100 X), the employer must, when
requested by an employee,
[[Page 280]]
provide a powered air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency
particulate filter instead of the respirator specified in paragraphs
(a), (b), or (c) of Table I of this section.
(g) Work practices. Each employer shall, regardless of the level of
employee exposure, immediately establish and implement a written program
of work practices which shall minimize cotton dust exposure. The
following shall be included were applicable:
(1) Compressed air ``blow down'' cleaning shall be prohibited where
alternative means are feasible. Where compressed air is used for
cleaning, the employees performing the ``blow down'' or ``blow off''
shall wear suitable respirators. Employees whose presence is not
required to perform ``blow down'' or ``blow of'' shall be required to
leave the area affected by the ``blow down'' or ``blow off'' during this
cleaning operation.
(2) Cleaning of clothing or floors with compressed air shall be
prohibited.
(3) Floor sweeping shall be performed with a vacuum or with methods
designed to minimize dispersal of dust.
(4) In areas where employees are exposed to concentrations of cotton
dust greater than the permissible exposure limit, cotton and cotton
waste shall be stacked, sorted, baled, dumped, removed or otherwise
handled by mechanical means, except where the employer can show that it
is infeasible to do so. Where infeasible, the method used for handling
cotton and cotton waste shall be the method which reduces exposure to
the lowest level feasible.
(h) Medical survelliance--(1) General. (i) Each employer covered by
the standard shall institute a program of medical surveillance for all
employees exposed to cotton dust.
(ii) The employer shall assure that all medical examinations and
procedures are performed by or under the supervision of a licensed
physician and are provided without cost to the employee.
(iii) Persons other than licensed physicians, who administer the
pulmonary function testing required by this section shall have completed
a NIOSH-approved training course in spirometry.
(2) Initial examinations. The employer shall provide medical
surveillance to each employee who is or may be exposed to cotton dust.
For new employees, this examination shall be provided prior to initial
assignment. The medical surveillance shall include at least the
following:
(i) A medical history;
(ii) The standardized questionnaire contained in Appendix B; and
(iii) A pulmonary function measurement, including a determination of
forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second
(FEV1), the FEV1/FVC ratio, and the percentage
that the measured values of FEV1 and FVC differ from the
predicted values, using the standard tables in Appendix C. These
determinations shall be made for each employee before the employee
enters the workplace on the first day of the work week, preceded by at
least 35 hours of no exposure to cotton dust. The tests shall be
repeated during the shift, no less than 4 and no more than 10 hours
after the beginning of the work shift; and, in any event, no more than
one hour after cessation of exposure. Such exposure shall be typical of
the employee's usual workplace exposure. The predicted FEV1
and FVC for blacks shall be multiplied by 0.85 to adjust for ethnic
differences.
(iv) Based upon the questionnaire results, each employee shall be
graded according to Schilling's byssinosis classification system.
(3) Periodic examinations. (i) The employer shall provide at least
annual medical surveillance for all employees exposed to cotton dust
above the action level in yarn manufacturing, slashing and weaving,
cotton washing and waste house operations. The employer shall provide
medical surveillance at least every two years for all employees exposed
to cotton dust at or below the action level, for all employees exposed
to cotton dust from washed cotton (except from washed cotton defined in
paragraph (n)(3) of this section), and for all employees exposed to
cotton dust in cottonseed processing and waste processing operations.
Periodic medical surveillance shall include at least an update of the
medical history, standardized questionnaire (App.
[[Page 281]]
B-111), Schilling byssinosis grade, and the pulmonary function
measurements in paragraph (h)(2)(iii) of this section.
(ii) Medical surveillance as required in paragraph (h)(3)(i) of this
section shall be provided every six months for all employees in the
following categories:
(A) An FEV1 of greater than 80 percent of the predicted
value, but with an FEV1 decrement of 5 percent or 200 ml. on
a first working day;
(B) An FEV1 of less than 80 percent of the predicted
value; or
(C) Where, in the opinion of the physician, any significant change
in questionnaire findings, pulmonary function results, or other
diagnostic tests have occurred.
(iii) An employee whose FEV1 is less than 60 percent of
the predicted value shall be referred to a physician for a detailed
pulmonary examination.
(iv) A comparison shall be made between the current examination
results and those of previous examinations and a determination made by
the physician as to whether there has been a significant change.
(4) Information provided to the physician. The employer shall
provide the following information to the examination physician:
(i) A copy of this regulation and its Appendices:
(ii) A description of the affected employee's duties as they relate
to the employee's exposure;
(iii) The employee's exposure level or anticipated exposure level;
(iv) A description of any personal protective equipment used or to
be used; and
(v) Information from previous medical examinations of the affected
employee which is not readily available to the examining physician.
(5) Physician's written opinion. (i) The employer shall obtain and
furnish the employee with a copy of a written opinion from the examining
physician containing the following:
(A) The results of the medical examination and tests including the
FEV1, FVC, AND FEV1/FVC ratio;
(B) The physician's opinion as to whether the employee has any
detected medical conditions which would place the employee at increased
risk of material impairment of the employee's health from exposure to
cotton dust;
(C) The physician's recommended limitations upon the employee's
exposure to cotton dust or upon the employee's use of respirators
including a determination of whether an employee can wear a negative
pressure respirator, and where the employee cannot, a determination of
the employee's ability to wear a powered air purifying respirator; and,
(D) A statement that the employee has been informed by the physician
of the results of the medical examination and any medical conditions
which require further examination or treatment.
(ii) The written opinion obtained by the employer shall not reveal
specific findings or diagnoses unrelated to occupational exposure.
(i) Employee education and training--(1) Training program. (i) The
employer shall provide a training program for all employees exposed to
cotton dust and shall assure that each employee is informed of the
following:
(A) The acute and long term health hazards associated with exposure
to cotton dust;
(B) The names and descriptions of jobs and processes which could
result in exposure to cotton dust at or above the PEL.
(C) The measures, including work practices required by paragraph (g)
of this section, necessary to protect the employee from exposures in
excess of the permissible exposure limit;
(D) The purpose, proper use and limitations of respirators required
by paragraph (f) of this section;
(E) The purpose for and a description of the medical surveillance
program required by paragraph (h) of this section and other information
which will aid exposed employees in understanding the hazards of cotton
dust exposure; and
(F) The contents of this standard and its appendices.
(ii) The training program shall be provided prior to initial
assignment and shall be repeated annually for each employee exposed to
cotton dust, when job assignments or work processes change and when
employee performance indicates a need for retraining.
[[Page 282]]
(2) Access to training materials. (i) Each employer shall post a
copy of this section with its appendices in a public location at the
workplace, and shall, upon request, make copies available to employees.
(ii) The employer shall provide all materials relating to the
employee training and information program to the Assistant Secretary and
the Director upon request.
(j) Signs. The employer shall post the following warning sign in
each work area where the permissible exposure limit for cotton dust is
exceeded:
WARNING
COTTON DUST WORK AREA
MAY CAUSE ACUTE OR DELAYED
LUNG INJURY
(BYSSINOSIS)
RESPIRATORS
REQUIRED IN THIS AREA
(k) Recordkeeping--(1) Exposure measurements. (i) The employer shall
establish and maintain an accurate record of all measurements required
by paragraph (d) of this section.
(ii) The record shall include:
(A) A log containing the items listed in paragraph IV (a) of
Appendix A, and the dates, number, duration, and results of each of the
samples taken, including a description of the procedure used to
determine representative employee exposure;
(B) The type of protective devices worn, if any, and length of time
worn; and
(C) The names, social security numbers, job classifications, and
exposure levels of employees whose exposure the measurement is intended
to represent.
(iii) The employer shall maintain this record for at least 20 years.
(2) Medical surveillance. (i) The employer shall establish and
maintain an accurate medical record for each employee subject to medical
surveillance required by paragraph (h) of this section.
(ii) The record shall include:
(A) The name and social security number and description of the
duties of the employee;
(B) A copy of the medical examination results including the medical
history, questionnaire response, results of all tests, and the
physician's recommendation;
(C) A copy of the physician's written opinion;
(D) Any employee medical complaints related to exposure to cotton
dust;
(E) A copy of this standard and its appendices, except that the
employer may keep one copy of the standard and the appendices for all
employees, provided that he references the standard and appendices in
the medical surveillance record of each employee; and
(F) A copy of the information provided to the physician as required
by paragraph (h)(4) of this section.
(iii) The employer shall maintain this record for at least 20 years.
(3) Availability. (i) The employer shall make all records required
to be maintained by paragraph (k) of this section available to the
Assistant Secretary and the Director for examination and copying.
(ii) Employee exposure measurement records and employee medical
records required by this paragraph shall be provided upon request to
employees, designated representatives, and the Assistant Secretary in
accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020 (a) through (e) and (g) through (i).
(4) Transfer of records. (i) Whenever the employer ceases to do
business, the successor employer shall receive and retain all records
required to be maintained by paragraph (k) of this section.
(ii) Whenever the employer ceases to do business, and there is no
successor employer to receive and retain the records for the prescribed
period, these records shall be transmitted to the Director.
(iii) At the expiration of the retention period for the records
required to be maintained by this section, the employer shall notify the
Director at least 3 months prior to the disposal of such records and
shall transmit those records to the Director if the Director requests
them within that period.
(iv) The employer shall also comply with any additional requirements
involving transfer of records set forth in 29 CFR 1910.1020(h).
(l) Observation of monitoring. (1) The employer shall provide
affected employees or their designated representatives an opportunity to
observe any measuring or monitoring of employee
[[Page 283]]
exposure to cotton dust conducted pursuant to paragraph (d) of this
section.
(2) Whenever observation of the measuring or monitoring of employee
exposure to cotton dust requires entry into an area where the use of
personal protective equipment is required, the employer shall provide
the observer with and assure the use of such equipment and shall require
the observer to comply with all other applicable safety and health
procedures.
(3) Without interfering with the measurement, observers shall be
entitled to:
(i) An explanation of the measurement procedures:
(ii) An opportunity to observe all steps related to the measurement
of airborne concentrations of cotton dust performed at the place of
exposure; and
(iii) An opportunity to record the results obtained.
(m) Washed Cotton--(1) Exemptions. Cotton, after it has been washed
by the processes described in this paragraph, is exempt from all or
parts of this section as specified if the requirements of this paragraph
are met.
(2) Initial requirements. (i) In order for an employer to qualify as
exempt or partially exempt from this standard for operations using
washed cotton, the employer must demonstrate that the cotton was washed
in a facility which is open to inspection by the Assistant Secretary and
the employer must provide sufficient accurate documentary evidence to
demonstrate that the washing methods utilized meet the requirements of
this paragraph.
(ii) An employer who handles or processes cotton which has been
washed in a facility not under the employer's control and claims an
exemption or partial exemption under this paragraph, must obtain from
the cotton washer and make available at the worksite, to the Assistant
Secretary, to any affected employee, or to their designated
representative the following:
(A) A certification by the washer of the cotton of the grade of
cotton, the type of washing process, and that the batch meets the
requirements of this paragraph;
(B) Sufficient accurate documentation by the washer of the cotton
grades and washing process; and
(C) An authorization by the washer that the Assistant Secretary or
the Director may inspect the washer's washing facilities and
documentation of the process.
(3) Medical and dyed cotton. Medical grade (USP) cotton, cotton that
has been scoured, bleached and dyed, and mercerized yarn shall be exempt
from all provisions of this standard.
(4) Higher grade washed cotton. The handling or processing of cotton
classed as ``low middling light spotted or better'' (color grade 52 or
better and leaf grade code 5 or better according to the 1993 USDA
classification system) shall be exempt from all provisions of the
standard except the requirements of paragraphs (h) medical surveillance,
(k)(2) through (4) recordkeeping--medical records, and Appendices B, C,
and D of this section, if they have been washed on one of the following
systems:
(i) On a continuous batt system or a rayon rinse system including
the following conditions:
(A) With water;
(B) At a temperature of no less than 60 [deg]C;
(C) With a water-to-fiber ratio of no less than 40:1; and
(D) With the bacterial levels in the wash water controlled to limit
bacterial contamination of the cotton.
(ii) On a batch kier washing system including the following
conditions:
(A) With water;
(B) With cotton fiber mechanically opened and thoroughly prewetted
before forming the cake;
(C) For low-temperature processing, at a temperature of no less than
60 [deg]C with a water-to-fiber ratio of no less than 40:1; or, for
high-temperature processing, at a temperature of no less than 93 [deg]C
with a water-to-fiber ratio of no less than 15:1;
(D) With a minimum of one wash cycle followed by two rinse cycles
for each batch, using fresh water in each cycle, and
(E) With bacterial levels in the wash water controlled to limit
bacterial contamination of the cotton.
[[Page 284]]
(5) Lower grade washed cotton. The handling and processing of cotton
of grades lower than ``low middling light spotted,'' that has been
washed as specified in paragraph (n)(4) of this section and has also
been bleached, shall be exempt from all provisions of the standard
except the requirements of paragraphs (c)(1)(ii) Permissible Exposure
Limit, (d) Exposure Monitoring, (h) Medical Surveillance, (k)
Recordkeeping, and Appendices B, C and D of this section.
(6) Mixed grades of washed cotton. If more than one grade of washed
cotton is being handled or processed together, the requirements of the
grade with the most stringent exposure limit, medical and monitoring
requirements shall be followed.
(n) Appendices. (1) Appendices B, C, and D of this section are
incorporated as part of this section and the contents of these
appendices are mandatory.
(2) Appendix A of this section contains information which is not
intended to create any additional obligations not otherwise imposed or
to detract from any existing obligations.
(3) Appendix E of this section is a protocol which may be followed
in the validation of alternative measuring devices as equivalent to the
vertical elutriator cotton dust sampler. Other protocols may be used if
it is demonstrated that they are statistically valid, meet the
requirements in paragraph (d)(l)(iii) of this section, and are
appropriate for demonstrating equivalency.
Appendix A to Sec. 1910.1043--Air Sampling and Analytical Procedures
for Determining Concentrations of Cotton Dust
i. sampling locations
The sampling procedures must be designed so that samples of the
actual dust concentrations are collected accurately and consistently and
reflect the concentrations of dust at the place and time of sampling.
Sufficient number of 6-hour area samples in each distinct work area of
the plant should be collected at locations which provide representative
samples of air to which the worker is exposed. In order to avoid filter
overloading, sampling time may be shortened when sampling in dusty
areas. Samples in each work area should be gathered simultaneously or
sequentially during a normal operating period. The daily time-weighted
average (TWA) exposure of each worker can then be determined by using
the following formula:
Summation of hours spent in each location and the dust concentration in
that location.
Total hours exposed
A time-weighted average concentration should be computed for each worker
and properly logged and maintained on file for review.
ii. sampling equipment
(a) Sampler. The instrument selected for monitoring is the Lumsden-
Lynch vertical elutriator. It should operate at a flow rate of 7.40.2 liters/minute.
The samplers should be cleaned prior to sampling. The pumps should be
monitored during sampling.
(b) Filter Holder. A three-piece cassette constructed of polystyrene
designed to hold a 37-mm diameter filter should be used. Care must be
exercised to insure that an adequate seal exists between elements of the
cassette.
(c) Filers and Support Pads. The membrane filters used should be
polyvinyl chloride with a 5-um pore size and 37-mm diameter. A support
pad, commonly called a backup pad, should be used under the filter
membrane in the field monitor cassette.
(d) Balance. A balance sensitive to 10 micrograms should be used.
(e) Monitoring equipment for use in Class III hazardous locations
must be approved for use in such locations, in accordance with the
requirements of the OSHA electrical standards in Subpart S of Part 1910.
iii. instrument calibration procedure
Samplers shall be calibrated when first received from the factory,
after repair, and after receiving any abuse. The samplers should be
calibrated in the laboratory both before they are used in the field and
after they have been used to collect a large number of field samples.
The primary standard, such as a spirometer or other standard calibrating
instruments such as a wet test meter or a large bubble meter or dry gas
meter, should be used. Instructions for calibration with the wet test
meter follow. If another calibration device is selected, equivalent
procedures should be used:
(a) Level wet test meter. Check the water level which should just
touch the calibration point at the left side of the meter. If water
level is low, add water 1-2 [deg]F. warmer than room temperature of till
point. Run the meter for 30 minutes before calibration;
(b) Place the polyvinyl chloride membrane filter in the filter
cassette;
(c) Assemble the calibration sampling train;
(d) Connect the wet test meter to the train.
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The pointer on the meter should run clockwise and a pressure drop of not
more than 1.0 inch of water indicated. If the pressure drop is greater
than 1.0, disconnect and check the system;
(e) Operate the system for ten minutes before starting the
calibration;
(f) Check the vacuum gauge on the pump to insure that the pressure
drop across the orifice exceeds 17 inches of mercury;
(g) Record the following on calibration data sheets:
(1) Wet test meter reading, start and finish;
(2) Elapsed time, start and finish (at least two minutes);
(3) Pressure drop at manometer;
(4) Air temperature;
(5) Barometric pressure; and
(6) Limiting orifice number;
(h) Calculate the flow rate and compare against the flow of
7.40.2 liters/minute. If flow is between these
limits, perform calibration again, average results, and record orifice
number and flow rate. If flow is not within these limits, discard or
modify orifice and repeat procedure;
(i) Record the name of the person performing the calibration, the
date, serial number of the wet test meter, and the number of the
critical orifices being calibrated.
iv. sampling procedure
(a) Sampling data sheets should include a log of:
(1) The date of the sample collection;
(2) The time of sampling;
(3) The location of the sampler;
(4) The sampler serial number;
(5) The cassette number;
(6) The time of starting and stopping the sampling and the duration
of sampling;
(7) The weight of the filter before and after sampling;
(8) The weight of dust collected (corrected for controls);
(9) The dust concentration measured;
(10) Other pertinent information; and
(11) Name of person taking sample
(b) Assembly of filter cassette should be as follows:
(1) Loosely assemble 3-piece cassette;
(2) Number cassette;
(3) Place absorbant pad in cassette;
(4) Weigh filter to an accuracy of 10 [micro]g;
(5) Place filter in cassette;
(6) Record weight of filter in log, using cassette number for
identification;
(7) Fully assemble cassette, using pressure to force parts tightly
together;
(8) Install plugs top and bottom;
(9) Put shrink band on cassette, covering joint between center and
bottom parts of cassette; and
(10) Set cassette aside until shrink band dries thoroughly.
(c) Sampling collection should be performed as follows:
(1) Clean lint out of the motor and elutriator;
(2) Install vertical elutriator in sampling locations specified
above with inlet 4\1/2\ to 5\1/2\ feet from floor (breathing zone
height);
(3) Remove top section of cassette;
(4) Install cassette in ferrule of elutriator;
(5) Tape cassette to ferrule with masking tape or similar material
for air-tight seal;
(6) Remove bottom plug of cassette and attach hose containing
critical orifice;
(7) Start elutriator pump and check to see if gauge reads above 17
in. of Hg vacuum;
(8) Record starting time, cassette number, and sampler number;
(9) At end of sampling period stop pump and record time; and
(10) Controls with each batch of samples collected, two additional
filter cassettes should be subjected to exactly the same handling as the
samples, except that they are not opened. These control filters should
be weighed in the same manner as the sample filters.
Any difference in weight in the control filters would indicate that the
procedure for handling sample filters may not be adequate and should be
evaluated to ascertain the cause of the difference, whether and what
necessary corrections must be made, and whether additional samples must
be collected.
(d) Shipping. The cassette with samples should be collected, along
with the appropriate number of blanks, and shipped to the analytical
laboratory in a suitable container to prevent damage in transit.
(e) Weighing of the sample should be achieved as follows:
(1) Remove shrink band;
(2) Remove top and middle sections of cassette and botton plug;
(3) Remove filter from cassette and weigh to an accuracy of 10
[micro]g; and
(4) Record weight in log against original weight
(f) Calculation of volume of air sampled should be determined as
follows:
(1) From starting and stopping times of sampling period, determine
length of time in minutes of sampling period; and
(2) Multiply sampling time in minutes by flow rate of critical
orifice in liters per minute and divide by 1000 to find air quantity in
cubic meters.
(g) Calculation of Dust Concentrations should be made as follows:
(1) Substract weight of clean filter from dirty filter and apply
control correction to find actual weight of sample. Record this weight
(in [micro]g) in log; and
(2) Divide mass of sample in [micro]g by air volume in cubic meters
to find dust concentration in [micro]g/m. Record in log.
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Appendix D to Sec. 1910.1043--Pulmonary Function Standards for Cotton
Dust Standard
The spirometric measurements of pulmonary function shall conform to
the following minimum standards, and these standards are not intended to
preclude additional testing or alternate methods which can be determined
to be superior.
i. apparatus
a. The instrument shall be accurate to within 50 milliliters or within 3 percent
of reading, whichever is greater.
b. The instrument should be capable of measuring vital capacity from
0 to 7 liters BTPS.
c. The instrument shall have a low inertia and offer low resistance
to airflow such that the resistance to airflow at 12 liters per second
must be less than 1.5 cm H2 O/(liter/sec).
d. The zero time point for the purpose of timing the FEV1
shall be determined by extrapolating the steepest portion of the volume
time curve back to the maximal inspiration volume (1, 2, 3, 4) or by an
equivalent method.
e. Instruments incorporating measurements of airflow to determine
volume shall conform to the same volume accuracy stated in (a) of this
section when presented with flow rates from at least 0 to 12 liters per
second.
f. The instrument or user of the instrument must have a means of
correcting volumes to body temperature saturated with water vapor (BTPS)
under conditions of varying ambient spirometer temperatures and
barometric pressures.
g. The instrument used shall provide a tracing or display of either
flow versus volume or volume versus time during the entire forced
expiration. A tracing or display is necessary to determine whether the
patient has performed the test properly. The tracing must be stored and
available for recall and must be of sufficient size that hand
measurements may be made within requirement of paragraph (a) of this
section. If a paper record is made it must have a paper speed of at
least 2 cm/sec and a volume sensitivity of at least 10.0 mm of chart per
liter of volume.
h. The instrument shall be capable of accumulating volume for a
minimum of 10 seconds and shall not stop accumulating volume before (1)
the volume change for a 0.5 second interval is less than 25 milliliters,
or (2) the flow is less than 50 milliliters per second for a 0.5 second
interval.
i. The forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1
second (FEV1.0) measurements shall comply with the accuracy
requirements stated in paragraph (a) of this section. That is, they
should be accurately measured to within 50 ml or
within 3 percent of reading, whichever is greater.
j. The instrument must be capable of being calibrated in the field
with respect to the FEV1 and FVC. This calibration of the
FEV1 and FVC may be either directly or indirectly through
volume and time base measurements. The volume calibration source should
provide a volume displacement of at least 2 liters and should be
accurate to within 30 milliliters.
ii. technique for measurement of forced vital capacity maneuver
a. Use of a nose clip is recommended but not required. The
procedures shall be explained in simple terms to the patient who shall
be instructed to loosen any tight clothing and stand in front of the
apparatus. The subject may sit, but care should be taken on repeat
testing that the same position be used and, if possible, the same
spirometer. Particular attention shall be given to insure that the chin
is slightly elevated with the neck slightly extended. The patient shall
be instructed to make a full inspiration from a normal breathing pattern
and then blow into the apparatus, without interruption, as hard, fast,
and completely as possible. At least three forced expirations shall be
carried out. During the maneuvers, the patient shall be observed for
compliance with instruction. The expirations shall be checked visually
for reproducibility from flow-volume or volume-time tracings or
displays. The following efforts shall be judged unacceptable when the
patient:
1. Has not reached full inspiration preceding the forced expiration,
2. Has not used maximal effort during the entire forced expiration,
3. Has not continued the expiration for at least 5 seconds or until
an obvious plateau in the volume time curve has occurred,
4. Has coughed or closed his glottis,
5. Has an obstructed mouthpiece or a leak around the mouthpiece
(obstruction due to tongue being placed in front of mouthpiece, false
teeth falling in front of mouthpiece, etc.)
6. Has an unsatisfactory start of expiration, one characterized by
excessive hesitation (or false starts), and therefore not allowing back
extrapolation of time 0 (extrapolated volume on the volume time tracing
must be less than 10 percent of the FVC.)
7. Has an excessive variability between the three acceptable curves.
The variation between the two largest FVC's and FEV1's of the
three satisfactory tracings should not exceed 10 percent or 100 milliliters, whichever is greater.
b. Periodic and routine recalibration of the instrument or method
for recording FVC and FEV1.0 should be performed using a
syringe or other volume source of at least 2 liters.
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iii. interpretation of spirogram
a. The first step in evaluating a spirogram should be to determine
whether or not the patient has performed the test properly or as
described in II above. From the three satisfactory tracings, the forced
vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second
(FEV1.0) shall be measured and recorded. The largest observed
FVC and largest observed FEV1 shall be used in the analysis
regardless of the curve(s) on which they occur.
b. The following guidelines are recommended by NIOSH for the
evaluation and management of workers exposed to cotton dust. It is
important to note that employees who show reductions in FEV1/
FVC ratio below .75 or drops in Monday FEV1 of 5 percent or
greater on their initial screening exam, should be re-evaluated within a
month of the first exam. Those who show consistent decrease in lung
function, as shown on the following table, should be managed as
recommended.
iv. qualifications of personnel administering the test
Technicians who perform pulmonary function testing should have the
basic knowledge required to produce meaningful results. Training
consisting of approximately 16 hours of formal instruction should cover
the following areas.
a. Basic physiology of the forced vital capacity maneuver and the
determinants of airflow limitation with emphasis on the relation to
reproducibility of results.
b. Instrumentation requirements including calibration procedures,
sources of error and their correction.
c. Performance of the testing including subject coaching,
recognition of improperly performed maneuvers and corrective actions.
d. Data quality with emphasis on reproducibility.
e. Actual use of the equipment under supervised conditions.
f. Measurement of tracings and calculations of results.
Appendix E to Sec. 1910.1043--Vertical Elutriator Equivalency Protocol
a. Samples to be taken--In order to ascertain equivalency, it is
necessary to collect a total of 100 samples from at least 10 sites in a
mill. That is, there should be 10 replicate readings at each of 10
sites. The sites should represent dust levels which vary over the
allowable range of 0.5 to 2 times the permissible exposure limit. Each
sample requires the use of two vertical elutriators (VE's) and at least
one but not more than two alternative devices (AD's). Thus, the end
result is 200 VE readings and either 100 or 200 AD readings. The 2 VE
readings and the 1 or 2 AD readings at each time and site must be made
simultaneously. That is, the two VE's and one or two AD's must be
arranged together in such a way that they are measuring essentially the
same dust levels.
b. Data averaging--The two VE readings taken at each site are then
averaged. These averages are to be used as the 100 VE readings. If two
alternate devices were used, their test results are also averaged. Thus,
after this step is accomplished, there will be 100 VE readings and 100
AD readings.
c. Differences--For each of the 100 sets of measurements (VE and AD)
the difference is obtained as the average VE reading minus the AD
reading. Call these differences Di. Thus, we have.
Di = VEi - ADi, i = 1,2, . . . ,100 (1)
Next we compute the arithmetic mean and standard deviations of the
differences, using equations (2) and (3), respectively.
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where N equals the number of differences (100 in this case),
XD is the arithmetic mean and SD is the standard
deviation.
We next calculate the critical value as
T=KSD+[verbar]XD[verbar] where K=1.87, based on
100 samples.
d. Equivalency test. The next step is to obtain the average of the
100 VE readings. This is obtained by equation (4)
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We next multiply 0.25 by XVE. If T <= 0.25
XVE, we can say that the alternate device has passed the
equivalency test.
[43 FR 27394, June 23, 1978; 43 FR 35035, Aug. 8, 1978, as amended at 45
FR 67340, Oct. 10, 1980; 50 FR 51173, Dec. 13, 1985; 51 FR 24325, July
3, 1986; 54 FR 24334, June 7, 1989; 61 FR 5508, Feb. 13, 1996; 63 FR
1290, Jan. 8, 1998; 65 FR 76567, Dec. 7, 2000; 70 FR 1142, Jan. 5, 2005;
71 FR 16672, 16673, Apr. 3, 2006]