The Honorable Carl Levin
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Levin:

This is in response to your letter dated February 6 on behalf of your constituent, Mr. Don Birtwistle of Great Lakes Castings Corporation, regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).

Under normal circumstances, a casting would be considered an "article" under the HCS and would be exempt from the provisions of the standard. However, if the casting is going to another manufacturing facility where it will be used in such a way as to release a hazardous chemical, information will have to be provided to the manufacturing purchaser of the product in accordance with the standard. The HCS requires manufacturers of such products to make determinations as to whether the casting is exempt based upon its "normal conditions of use." Welding, burning, cutting, gouging, sanding and other operations will release metal dusts or fumes which are considered hazardous chemicals. Castings undergoing these types of processes must have a material safety data sheet to inform the user of the hazards associated with exposure to metal dusts and fumes.

If we may be of further assistance please feel free to contact us again.

A supplied air respirator system like this one from Safety Emporium is ideal protection from dusts, mists and fumes.