[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 78 (Thursday, April 23, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20098-20099]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10795]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

29 CFR Parts 1910 and 1926

[Docket No. H-049]
RIN 1218-AA05


Respiratory Protection; Correction

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 
Department of Labor.

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

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SUMMARY: OSHA is correcting errors in the regulatory text of the 
Respiratory Protection final rule that appeared in the Federal Register 
on January 8, 1998 (63 FR 1152).

DATES: These corrections become effective on April 23, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bonnie Friedman, Director, OSHA Office 
of Public Affairs, Room N-3647, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210; Telephone: (202) 
219-8148.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 8, 1998 (63 FR 1152), OSHA 
promulgated revised regulations for respiratory protection in general 
industry (part 1910), shipyards (part 1915), marine terminals (part 
1917), longshoring (part 1918), and construction (part 1926).
    Subsequently, technical and typographic errors were discovered in 
the regulatory text. This notice is being published to correct these 
errors. With the exception of the explanations discussed below, these 
corrections are self-explanatory.
    In paragraph (i)(1)(ii), Breathing air quality and use, the 
reference to ``Type 1--Grade D breathing air'' has been corrected to 
read ``Grade D breathing air'' to conform to the ANSI/Compressed Gas 
Association Commodity Specification for Air, G-7.1-1989.
    Paragraph (n)(3) is corrected to state that the respiratory 
protection provisions of the previous standard, 29 CFR 1910.134 as 
contained in the 29 CFR parts 1900 to 1910.999 edition of the Code of 
Federal Regulations published July 1, 1997, will continue in effect 
until October 5, 1998, the date for full compliance with the revised 
standard, rather than April 8, 1998, the effective date of the revised 
standard.
    In Appendix A, in the protocol for the Bitrex qualitative fit test, 
the part numbers for the fit test hood assembly now match the part 
numbers given in the saccharin qualitative fit test protocol. Also, in 
the generated aerosol quantitative fit testing protocol, a reference 
for using P100 filters as one of the methods to filter exhaust air flow 
from the fit test chamber is incorrect and is deleted. In the 
condensation nuclei counter quantitative fit test protocol, the 
requirement in paragraph (a)(1) that a high-efficiency filter be fitted 
has been revised to allow for the fit testing of additional types of 
filters as appropriate. For the controlled negative fit test protocol, 
the pressure setting for the default test pressure has been changed 
from -1.5 mm to the correct value of -15 mm.
    In Appendix C a typographic error in Part A, Section 2, question 
11(e) has been corrected to read ``d. Any other eye or vision problem: 
Yes/No''.
    Appendix D has been entitled ``mandatory'' since the employer is 
required by paragraph (k)(6) of the standard to provide the basic 
advisory information on respirators presented in Appendix D to any 
employees who voluntarily use respirators.
    Since some of the 13 carcinogens are vapors, language has been 
added to paragraph (c)(4)(iv) of Sec. 1910.1013 permitting the use of 
air-purifying canisters or cartridges, in addition to particulate 
filters. This provision requires appropriate respirator filters for 
these carcinogens.
    This correction removes the provision in the revised Lead standard 
(Sec. 1910.1025(f)(1)(i)) that limits respirator use to a maximum of 
4.4 hours per day. The 4.4 hour requirement had been removed earlier by 
OSHA (see 60 FR 52859).
    Typographic errors in provisions in the Benzene standard 
(Sec. 1910.1028 (g)(2)(i)), Acrylonitrile standard (Sec. 1910.1045 
(h)(2)(i)), and the Formaldehyde standard (Sec. 1910.1048 (g)(2)(i)) 
that referenced Sec. 1910.134 (d)(3)(iii)(b)(1) have been corrected to 
read (d)(3)(iii)(B)(1).
    Appendix E of the Methylenedianiline standard (Sec. 1910.1050), 
which specifies fit testing protocols, has been removed to match 
changes made to other substance specific standards. These changes 
require the use of the fit testing protocols in Appendix A of the 
revised respiratory protection standard.
    The Methylene chloride standard limits respiratory protection to 
supplied-air respirators except for emergency escape. Paragraphs 
(d)(3)(iii)(B) (1) and (2) of the revised respiratory protection 
standard address the use of end-of-service-life indicators or change 
schedules for cartridges and canisters, and do not apply to supplied-
air or emergency escape respirators. Accordingly, these paragraphs have 
been removed from the respiratory protection program required by the 
Methylene chloride standard to be in compliance with the revised 
Sec. 1910.134 respiratory protection standard.
    The correction to paragraph (h)(2)(iv) of the Asbestos standard for 
the construction industry reinstates an earlier revision made by OSHA 
to this standard. This revision permitted the use of PAPRs with HEPA 
filters or supplied-air respirators with HEPA egress cartridges under 
the conditions specified in this paragraph (see 60 FR 33985).
    All these corrections to the standard are deemed to be ``minor'' 
amendments within the meaning of 29 CFR 1911.5. OSHA finds good cause, 
pursuant to 29 CFR 1911.5 and the Administrative Procedure Act, for 
promulgating the corrections without notice and opportunity for public 
comment.

Correction of Publication

    The following corrections are made in the final rule for 
Respiratory Protection published in the Federal Register on January 8, 
1998 (63 FR 1152).

Respiratory Protection [Correction]


Sec. 1910.134  [Correction]

    1. On page 1275, first column, paragraph (i)(1)(ii), lines 2 and 3, 
are corrected to read ``meet at least the requirements for Grade D 
breathing air described in''.
    2. On page 1275, first column, paragraph (i)(4)(ii), line 4, is 
corrected to read ``requirements for Grade D''.
    3. On page 1276, second column, paragraph (n)(3), line 2, the date 
``April 8, 1998'' is corrected to read ``October 5, 1998''.
    4. On page 1278, third column, paragraph (a)(1), line 10, the 
reference ``parts #14 and #15'' is corrected to read ``parts # FT 14 
and # FT 15''.

[[Page 20099]]

    5. On page 1280, first column, paragraph (11), lines 3 and 4, are 
corrected to read ``filter (i.e., high efficiency particulate filter) 
before release.''
    6. On page 1280, third column, following the equation, paragraph 
(a)(1) is revised to read: ``(1) Check the respirator to make sure the 
sampling probe and line are properly attached to the facepiece and that 
the respirator is fitted with a particulate filter capable of 
preventing significant penetration by the ambient particles used for 
the fit test (e.g., NIOSH 42 CFR 84 series 100, series 99, or series 95 
particulate filter) per manufacturer's instruction.''
    7. On page 1281, second column, paragraph (a)(2), line 2, the 
reference ``-1.5 mm'' is corrected to read ``-15 mm''.
    8. On page 1283, second column, question 11, lines 6 and 7, are 
corrected to read ``d. Any other eye or vision problem: Yes/No''.
    9. On page 1284, second column, line 17, is corrected to read 
``Appendix D to Sec. 1910.134 (Mandatory)''.


Sec. 1910.1003  13 Carcinogens [Correction]

    10. On page 1286, first column after Table 1, paragraph (c)(4)(iv), 
lines 5 and 6 are corrected to read: ``use a half-face filter-type 
respirator with filters for dusts, mists, and fumes, or air-purifying 
canisters or cartridges. A respirator''.


Sec. 1910.1025  Lead [Correction]

    11. On page 1287, second column following Table II, paragraph 
(f)(1)(i) is revised to read: ``(i) Periods necessary to install or 
implement engineering or work-practice controls.''


Sec. 1910.1028  Benzene [Correction]

    12. On page 1289, third column following Table 2, paragraph 
(g)(2)(i), line 2, the reference ``(d)(3)(iii)(b)(1)'' is corrected to 
read ``(d)(3)(iii)(B)(1).''


Sec. 1910.1045  Acrylonitrile [Correction]

    13. On page 1291, second column following Table 1, paragraph 
(h)(2)(i), line 5, the reference ``(d)(3)(iii)(b)(1)'' is corrected to 
read ``(d)(3)(iii)(B)(1)''.


Sec. 1910.1048  Formaldehyde [Correction]

    14. On page 1293, second column, paragraph (g)(2)(i), line 5, the 
reference ``(d)(3)(iii)(b)(1)'' is corrected to read 
``(d)(3)(iii)(B)(1)''.


Sec. 1910.1050  Methylenedianiline [Correction]

    15. On page 1293, first column following Table 1, paragraph 28, is 
revised to read ``28. Section 1910.1050 is amended by removing Appendix 
E, and revising paragraph (h) and the first paragraph of Section III to 
Appendix A to read as follows:''.


Sec. 1910.1052   Methylene chloride [Correction]

    16. On page 1295, second column following Table 1, paragraph 
(g)(1)(i), is revised to read ``(i) Periods when an employee's exposure 
to MC exceeds the 8-hour TWA PEL, or STEL (for example, when an 
employee is using MC in a regulated area).''
    17. On page 1295, third column following Table 1, paragraph 
(g)(2)(i), line 5, the reference ``(d)(1)(iii))'' is corrected to read 
``(d)(1)(iii) and (d)(3)(iii)(B)(1) and (2)).''


Sec. 1926.1101   Asbestos [Correction]

    18. On page 1298, first and second columns following Table 1, 
paragraph (h)(3)(iv) is revised to read:
    ``(iv) In addition to the above selection criteria, when employees 
are in a regulated area where Class I work is being performed, a 
negative exposure assessment of the area has not been produced, and the 
exposure assessment of the area indicates the exposure level will not 
exceed 1 f/cc as an 8-hour time weighted average, employers must 
provide the employees with one of the following respirators:
    (A) A tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirator equipped with 
high efficiency filters;
    (B) A full facepiece supplied-air respirator operated in the 
pressure-demand mode equipped with HEPA egress cartridges; or
    (C) A full facepiece supplied-air respirator operated in the 
pressure-demand mode equipped with an auxiliary positive pressure self-
contained breathing apparatus. A full facepiece supplied-air respirator 
operated in the pressure-demand mode equipped with an auxiliary 
positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus must be provided 
under such conditions when the exposure assessment indicates exposure 
levels above 1 f/cc as an 8-hour time weighted average.''

    Dated: April 15, 1998.
Charles N. Jeffress,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 98-10795 Filed 4-22-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-26-P