[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 236 (Thursday, December 7, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76563-76567]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31186]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

29 CFR Part 1910

[Docket No. H-052G]
RIN 1218-AB90


Occupational Exposure to Cotton Dust

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

ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: OSHA is issuing a direct final rule amending its occupational 
health standard for Cotton Dust, which was issued in 1978 and amended 
in 1985, to add cotton washed in a batch kier system to the types of 
washed cotton partially exempt from the cotton dust standard. This 
direct final rule follows the recommendation of the Task Force for 
Byssinosis Prevention, formerly known as the Industry/Government/Union 
Task Force for Washed Cotton Evaluation, which studies the health 
effects associated with the processing and use of washed cotton. This 
direct final rule is also consistent with a finding of OSHA's review of 
the cotton dust standard conducted pursuant to Section 610 of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act and Section 5 of Executive Order 12866. See 
also the companion documents published in the Proposed Rules and 
Notices sections of today's Federal Register.

DATES: This direct final rule will be effective April 6, 2001 unless 
significant adverse comments are received by February 5, 2001.
    OSHA will publish a document in the Federal Register at least 30 
days before the effective date of the direct final rule. The document 
will either confirm the effective date of the final rule or, if 
significant adverse comments are received, will withdraw the final 
rule.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent in quadruplicate to Docket No. H-
052G, Docket Office, Room N2625; Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW.,

[[Page 76564]]

Washington DC 20210, (202-693-2350). Alternatively, one paper copy and 
one disc (3\1/2\ inch floppy in WordPerfect 6.0, 8.0 or ASCII) may be 
sent to the Docket Office mailing address; or one copy faxed to 202-
693-1648 and 3 paper copies mailed to the Docket Office mailing 
address, or one copy E-mailed to ecomments.osha.gov and one paper copy 
mailed to the Docket mailing address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Steven Bayard, Director of the 
Office of Risk Assessment, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3718, 200 Constitution 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, telephone: (202) 693-2275.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    This direct final rule adds one additional method of washing cotton 
to the methods the rule already permits employers to use to achieve 
partial exemption from the cotton dust standard (see paragraph (n), 29 
CFR 1910.1043). The additional method of washing cotton addressed by 
this notice is called batch kier washing, and a partial exemption from 
the standard for cotton washed using this method is supported by 
extensive scientific research, which has been published by the National 
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in ``Current Intelligent 
Bulletin 56--WASHED COTTON. A Review and Recommendations Regarding 
Batch Kier Washed Cotton'' (Ex. 3-3Q, Docket H-052F).
    The change to the cotton dust standard achieved by this direct 
final rule find is supported by the relevant government agencies, 
industry groups, and the union representing textile workers. OSHA also 
considered this issue when it conducted its recent Regulatory 
Flexibility Act review (a section 610 ``lookback'' review) of the 
cotton dust standard which involved the publication of a Federal 
Register notice, the receipt of comments from interested parties, and 
the holding of public meetings. OSHA is aware of no opposition to the 
change that would be made by this direct final rule.
    Therefore, OSHA considers this issue one that is appropriately 
addressed through the direct final rule process. However, if OSHA 
receives significant adverse comments on this direct final rule, it 
will withdraw the rule. OSHA would then proceed with the proposal on 
this matter published in the Proposed Rules section of today's Federal 
Register. Pursuant to that document, the Agency will consider all 
comments and evidence and determine whether to issue a subsequent final 
rule on this matter.

Background

    In 1971, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 
adopted a 1-mg/m3 (total dust) permissible exposure limit (PEL) for 
cotton dust. Subsequent OSHA rulemaking led to the promulgation of a 
comprehensive Federal occupational health standard for cotton dust in 
1978 at 29 CFR 1910.1043 (43 FR 27351, June 23, 1978). In the 1978 
standard, OSHA established different 8-hr time-weighted average (TWA) 
PELs for gravimetrically measured airborne cotton dust for different 
work areas of textile mills and included monitoring, medical, 
recordkeeping and other requirements.
    Based on ``the effectiveness of the washing process in 
significantly reducing or eliminating the biological effects of cotton 
dust,'' a provision of the 1978 standard exempted from the standard 
cotton ``thoroughly washed in hot water'' and ``known in the cotton 
textile trade as purified or dyed'' cotton (43 FR 27351, June 23, 
1978).
    However, not all washing methods are effective in significantly 
reducing the biological effects of raw cotton, and some washing methods 
leave the cotton unworkable for spinning or weaving. In 1980, the 
tripartite ``Industry/Government/Union Task Force for Washed Cotton 
Evaluation,'' currently known as the ``Task Force for Byssinosis 
Prevention,'' was organized to study the issue of washed cotton and 
byssinosis and to find methods of washing that reduce cotton's 
biological effects yet leave the cotton workable. The Task Force 
includes representatives from the National Institute for Occupational 
Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Agriculture Research Service (U.S. 
Department of Agriculture), Cotton Incorporated, the Cotton Foundation 
(National Cotton Council), the American Textile Manufacturers 
Institute, the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees 
(UNITE) (the successor union to the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile 
Workers Union (ACTWU)), and OSHA.
    In 1985, on the basis of a review of the existing data, comments, 
and Task Force recommendations, OSHA substantially revised the washed 
cotton provision (1910.1043(n)) in the cotton dust standard (50 FR 
51120, Dec. 13, 1985). The revised standard provides a complete 
exemption only for ``medical grade (USP) cotton, that has been scoured, 
bleached and dyed, and mercerized yarn'' (Paragraph (n)(3)). In 
addition, the 1985 standard provides partial exemptions for cotton 
washed in a continuous system, but provides no exemptions for batch 
kier washed cotton.
    Exemption from all requirements of the standard except for medical 
surveillance, medical recordkeeping and certain appendices is provided 
for higher grade cotton (low middling light spotted, or better, i.e., 
color grade code 52 or better and leaf grade code 5 or better according 
to the current classification system (USDA 1993a)) that is washed: (1) 
On a continuous batt system or rayon rinse system, (2) with water, (3) 
at a temperature of no less than 60 deg.C, (4) with a water-to-fiber 
ratio of no less than 40:1, and (5) with bacterial levels in the wash 
water controlled to limit bacterial contamination of cotton (paragraph 
(n)(4) of the standard).
    Lower grade cotton (i.e., below color grade code 52 or below leaf 
grade code 5 by the current classification system) that is washed as 
specified in the preceding paragraph for higher grade washed cotton and 
that is also bleached is exempted from all requirements of the standard 
except for medical surveillance, recordkeeping, exposure monitoring and 
compliance with a 500 g/m3 PEL for airborne dust measured by 
the vertical elutriator sampler, and certain appendices (paragraph 
(n)(5)). With respect to washed cotton of mixed grades, the 1985 
revised standard specifies that the requirements for the grade with the 
most stringent requirements would apply (paragraph (n)(6)).
    Early batch kier washing trials were performed on systems involving 
hand loading of cotton fiber without prior mechanical opening or 
prewetting. Use of this approach resulted in the incomplete wetting of 
cotton fibers during the washing process, which probably explains the 
higher dust levels and the human reactivity observed in these early 
studies of batch kier washing.
    In 1988, Task Force investigators visited two companies utilizing 
batch kier processes with automated systems for mechanically opening 
and thoroughly wetting cotton fiber during the kier-loading process 
(Perkins & Berni, 1991, Ex.3-30). To evaluate the effectiveness of 
batch kier washing using this state-of-the-art opening and wetting 
technology, arrangements were made to wash cotton on one of these 
commercial systems for comparison with the same cotton washed using the 
continuous process partially exempted by the revised 1985 standard. 
Washings in the batch kier system were done

[[Page 76565]]

under two different sets of conditions: (1) at 60  deg.C with a 50:1 
water-to-fiber ratio, and (2) at 93  deg.C with a 17:1 water-to-fiber 
ratio. The study used cotton of grade code 52 to serve as a worst case 
test.
    The study demonstrated that washing in the batch kier system under 
the conditions described above resulted in a substantial and 
statistically significant reduction (a reduction of at least 50%) of 
card-generated airborne cotton dust under both conditions. In addition, 
the three different wash treatments (two types of batch kier and 
continuous batt) were highly effective and statistically equivalent in 
reducing the endotoxin content of card-generated airborne elutriated 
dust. As a result, the concentration of airborne endotoxin was very 
effectively reduced by all three washing methods, from more than 300 
ng/m3 for the unwashed cotton (at a dust level of 1.98 mg/m3) to less 
than 10 ng/m3 for each of the washed cottons (at dust levels ranging 
from 0.35 mg/m3 to 0.89 mg/m3).
    These low airborne endotoxin levels generated during card 
processing of the washed cottons were all below a relative 
``threshold'' for acute airway response in humans described previously 
by NIOSH investigators in this same setting (Castellan et al. 1987, Ex. 
3-5). Most investigators believe that keeping endotoxin levels low is 
crucial to avoiding byssinosis.
    To further assess the effectiveness of washing cotton in modern 
batch kier systems, another blend of predominantly color grade code 52 
and leaf grade code 5 cotton (grown in Texas) was washed on a batch 
kier system operated by another company (Jacobs et al. 1993, Ex. 3-19; 
Perkins and Olenchock 1995, Ex. 3-31). Washing, done at 60  deg.C and 
using a 40:1 water-to-fiber ratio, as stipulated in the revised 1985 
standard for continuous wash systems, and at 93  deg.C and a 17:1 
water-to-fiber ratio, resulted in a reduction of at least 50% in dust-
generating capacity (compared with that of the unwashed cotton) under 
identical carding rates and ventilation conditions.
    On the basis of human ventilatory responses to experimental 
exposures to dust from this washed cotton, Jacobs and colleagues 
concluded that these results ``suggest that modern batch kier systems 
can effectively remove the acute pulmonary toxicity of cottons washed 
at 60  deg.C and a 40:1 water-to-fiber ratio'' (Jacobs et al. 1993, Ex. 
3-19, p. 276).
    A substantial body of experimental evidence now exists on this 
issue. The evidence indicates that, with respect to the removal of 
potential respiratory toxicity, cotton washed in batch kier systems 
(using modern equipment that assures thorough wetting of the cotton 
fiber and no reuse of wash or rinse water) is equivalent to cotton 
washed on a continuous batt system, which was approved by OSHA for 
partial exemption under the washed cotton provisions (paragraph (n)) of 
the current cotton dust standard.
    During OSHA's review of the Cotton Dust standard pursuant to 
Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and E.O. 12866, OSHA 
requested comment on the washed cotton issue (63 FR 34140, June 23, 
1998). OSHA received written comment from interested parties on the 
standard generally and on this issue, and held two public meetings in 
connection with the review. Based on the evidence discussed above, both 
the industry/government/union ``Task Force for Byssinosis Prevention'' 
Ex. (3-5F) and NIOSH (Ex. 3-3) submitted comments recommending that 
cotton washed in a batch kier system be treated by the standard in the 
same way as cotton mildly washed in a continuous system. The National 
Cotton Council of America urged OSHA in written comments and at a 
public meeting to amend the standard to partially exempt cotton washed 
in a batch kier system (Ex. 3-5). These comments and the Task Force 
report (Ex. 3-5Q) are located in OSHA's Docket Office, Docket No. H-
052-F.
    OSHA has now completed its lookback review of the cotton dust 
standard pursuant to the RFA and E.O. 12866. The Notices section of 
today's Federal Register announces the availability of the final report 
of that review, ``Regulatory Review of OSHA's Cotton Dust Standard.'' 
That review concludes that the Agency is justified in extending the 
washed cotton partial exemption in the cotton dust standard to include 
cotton mildly washed in a batch kier system (Ex., p. 58).
    The studies demonstrate that raw cotton washed in the batch kier 
process according to the specified protocol results in the elimination 
or a substantial reduction in the significant risk of byssinosis, if 
employers using such washed cotton comply with the medical surveillance 
and certain recordkeeping requirements of the standard, and with 
Appendices B, C, and D of the standard. The batch kier process is as 
effective in this regard as other washing methods that OSHA has already 
partially exempted from the cotton dust standard. This conclusion is 
supported by NIOSH, and by the joint government, union, and industry 
Task Force for Byssinosis Prevention.
    Accordingly, OSHA is amending the cotton dust standard to add 
washing in a modern batch kier system as an acceptable method of 
washing cotton under paragraph (n)(4) of the 1985 cotton dust standard, 
which will qualify cotton washed in this system for partial exemption 
from that standard. This amendment is being issued as a direct final 
rule because doing so is widely endorsed, well supported, and non-
controversial.
    In order to accomplish this change, OSHA is amending paragraph 
(n)(4) of 29 CFR 1910.1043 to include the new partial exemption for 
batch kier washed cotton. The standard will continue to partially 
exempt cotton washed through the continuous batt or rayon rinse 
systems. OSHA is also reorganizing paragraph (n)(4) to improve clarity.
    By this action OSHA is responding to the requirements of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 12866 that Agencies 
review their regulations to determine their effectiveness and to 
implement any changes indicated by the review that will make the 
regulation more flexible and efficient for stakeholders and small 
businesses while maintaining needed protections for workers. Reliance 
on the direct final rule approach is also an example of OSHA's 
Reinvention Initiative which emphasizes flexible and efficient methods 
of achieving results.

Economic and Technical Feasibility

    OSHA concludes that adding the batch kier washed cotton method to 
the list of methods already partially exempted by paragraph (n)(4) of 
the cotton dust standard (29 CFR 1910.1043) is both economically and 
technically feasible. The addition creates no new requirements and 
imposes no new compliance obligations on employers. Instead, it merely 
permits an additional type of washing to qualify for partial exemption 
from the cotton dust standard based on evidence that batch kier washing 
is as effective as other partially exempted washing methods in 
protecting employee health. No one is required to use the new method. 
Employers may choose to use the newly approved method, but they are not 
required to use it if they do not believe it is more advantageous than 
existing practices. Thus, this regulatory action reduces the burden on 
employers wishing to avail themselves of it, but continues to provide 
protections for employees. Accordingly, no further analysis of the 
feasibility of this direct final rule is required by the OSH Act.

Regulatory Flexibility Act: Certification of No Significant Impact

    In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended (5 
U.S.C.

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601-612), OSHA has evaluated the effects of the batch kier washing 
amendment on small entities. No small business is required to adopt 
this washing method or to purchase cotton washed by this method and all 
employers may continue to use their existing practices to comply with 
the cotton dust standard. A small business may choose to adopt this 
method of washing cotton or to purchase cotton washed by this method if 
it finds that a cost saving or other advantage is created by doing so. 
Based on this finding, OSHA certifies that this amendment to paragraph 
(n)(4) of 29 CFR 1910.1043 will not have a significant impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.

Executive Order 12866

    Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), the 
Agency must determine whether a regulatory action is ``significant'' 
and therefore subject to OMB review and the requirements of the 
Executive Order. The Order defines a ``significant regulatory action'' 
as one that is likely to result in a rule that may:
    1. Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or 
adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the 
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
health or safety, or State, local or tribal governments or communities;
    2. Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an 
action taken or planned by another agency;
    3. Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, 
user fees, or land programs or the rights and obligations of recipients 
thereof; or
    4. Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in 
the Executive Order.
    For the reasons just discussed, this direct final rule causes none 
of these impacts. Some cotton mills may choose to use cotton washed by 
this newly permitted method to save control costs otherwise required by 
the cotton dust standard. Consequently, this direct final rule is not a 
significant regulatory action and therefore does not require an 
Economic Analysis under Executive Order 12866.

Unfunded Mandates

    This direct final rule, which amends a paragraph of the Cotton Dust 
standard, has been reviewed in accordance with the Unfunded Mandates 
Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (U.S.C. 1501 et seq.). For the purposes of 
the UMRA, the Agency certifies that the final standard does not impose 
any Federal mandate that may result in increased expenditures by State, 
local, or tribal governments, or increased expenditures by the private 
sector, of more than $100 million in any year.

Federalism

    This amendment has been reviewed under Executive Order 13132 (Aug. 
11, 1999) on Federalism. That order requires that agencies, to the 
extent possible, refrain from limiting state policy options, consult 
with States prior to taking any actions that would restrict state 
policy options, and take such actions only when there is clear 
constitutional authority and the presence of a problem of national 
scope. The Order provides for preemption of State law only if there is 
a clear Congressional intent for the Agency to do so. Any such 
preemption is to be limited to the extent possible.
    Section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA Act) 
expresses Congress' intent to preempt State laws relating to issues on 
which Federal OSHA has promulgated occupational safety and health 
standards. Under the OSH Act, a State can avoid preemption on issues 
covered by Federal standards only if it submits, and obtains Federal 
approval of, a plan for the development of such standards and their 
enforcement. Occupational safety and health standards developed by such 
Plan States must, among other things, be at least as effective in 
providing safe and healthful employment and places of employment as the 
Federal standards. When such standards are applicable to products 
distributed or used in interstate commerce, they may not unduly burden 
commerce and must be justified by compelling local conditions.
    This amendment to paragraph (n)(4) of the cotton dust standard was 
developed based on scientific research and merely grants an extra 
option and increased flexibility to cotton processors and textile 
mills. In connection with the Regulatory Flexibility Act review, OSHA 
held a public meeting in Atlanta, GA which is in the region where most 
textile industry facilities are located. State Plan states are free to 
adopt this amendment or an alternative that is at least as effective in 
protecting worker health.

State Plan Standards

    The 25 States with their own OSHA approved occupational safety and 
health plans must adopt an equivalent amendment or one that is at least 
as protective to employees within six months of the publication date of 
this final standard. These States are: Alaska, Arizona, California, 
Connecticut (for State and local government employees only), Hawaii, 
Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New 
Mexico, New York (for State and local government employees only), North 
Carolina, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, 
Vermont, Virginia, Virgin Islands, Washington and Wyoming.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The information requirements contained in the cotton dust standard 
have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-30). The approval 
is in effect until January 31, 2002 pursuant to OMB Control No. 1218-
0061 (29 CFR 1910.8). The approval covers the paperwork required to 
achieve a washed cotton partial exemption from the standard. This 
amendment adds no additional information collection requirements and 
instead merely adds an alternative method for achieving the washed 
cotton exemption. Consequently, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
does not require OSHA to take any further action on this matter at this 
time.

Public Participation

    Interested persons are requested to submit written data, views and 
arguments concerning this direct final rule. These comments must be 
received by February 5, 2001 and submitted in quadruplicate to Docket 
No. H-052G, Docket Office; Room N2625; Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration; U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20210.
    Alternatively, one paper copy and one disc (3\1/2\ inch floppy in 
Wordperfect 6.0, 8.0 or ASCII) may be sent to that address, or one copy 
faxed to (202) 693-1648 and 3 paper copies mailed to the Docket Office 
mailing address; or one copy E-mailed to ecomments.osha.gov and one 
paper copy mailed to the Docket Office mailing address.
    All written comments received within the specified comment period 
will be made a part of the record and will be available for public 
inspection and copying at the above Docket Office address.
    OSHA requests comments on all issues related to granting cotton 
washed in the batch kier system with a partial exemption from OSHA's 
cotton dust standard and on the Agency's findings that there are no 
negative economic, environmental or other regulatory impacts of this 
action on the regulated community. OSHA is not requesting

[[Page 76567]]

comment on any issues or opening the record for any issue other than 
those related to this amendment to paragraph (n)(4) of 29 CFR 
1910.1043.
    If OSHA receives no significant adverse comment on this amendment, 
OSHA will publish a Federal Register document confirming the effective 
date of this direct final rule. Such confirmation may include minor 
stylistic or technical changes to the amendment that appear to be 
clearly justified. For the purposes of legal review, OSHA views the 
date of confirmation of the effective date of this amendment as the 
date of issuance.
    If OSHA receives significant adverse comments on this amendment, it 
will withdraw the amendment and proceed with the proposed rule 
addressing the batch kier washing issue published in the Proposed Rules 
section of today's Federal Register.

List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 1910

    Cotton dust, Hazardous substances, Occupational safety and health, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Authority and Signature

    This document was prepared under the direction of Charles N. 
Jeffress, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and 
Health, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. 20210.
    This action is taken pursuant to sections 4, 6, and 8 of the 
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 653, 655, 657), 
Section 4 of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553), Secretary 
of Labor's Order No. 3-2000 (65 FR 50017, August 16, 2000) and 29 CFR 
part 1911.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 4th day of December, 2000.
Charles N. Jeffress,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.

    Part 1910 of Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations is hereby 
amended as set forth below:

PART 1910--(AMENDED)

    1. The authority citation for Subpart Z of Part 1910 is revised to 
read as follows:

    Authority: Sections 4, 6 and 8 of the Occupational Safety and 
Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 653, 655, 657; Secretary of Labor's 
Order No. 12-71 (36 FR 8754), 8-76 (41 FR 25059), 9-83 (48 FR 
35736), 6-96 (62 FR 111) or 3-2000 (65 FR 50017) as applicable; and 
29 CFR part 1911.
    All of subpart Z issued under sec. 6(b) of the Occupational 
Safety and Health Act, except those substances that have exposure 
limits listed in Tables Z-1, Z-2, and Z-3 of 29 CFR 1910.1000. The 
latter were issued under sec. 6(a) (29 U.S.C. 655(a)).
    Section 1910.1000, and Table Z-1, Z-2, and Z-3 and 1910.1043 (n) 
also issued under 5 U.S.C. 553.
    Section 1910.1000, and Tables Z-1, Z-2, and Z-3 not issued under 
29 CFR part 1911 except for the arsenic (organic compounds), 
benzene, and cotton dust listings.
    Section 1910.1001 also issued under section 107 of the Contract 
Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. 333) and 5 U.S.C. 
553.
    Section 1910.1002 not issued under 29 U.S.C. 655 or 29 CFR part 
1911; also issued under 5 U.S.C. 553.
    Sections 1910.1018, 1910.1029 and 1910.1200 are also issued 
under 29 U.S.C. 653.

    2. Paragraph (n)(4) of Sec. 1910.1043 is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 1910.1043   Cotton dust.

* * * * *
    (n) * * *
    (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.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 00-31186 Filed 12-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-26-P