XtremeSorb Spill control products
Get XtremeSorb spill materials here!

MSDS
Topics
Free Sites FAQ's Regulations Glossary Software Suppliers
Books Forum Poll Fun stuff Quiz Store
MSDS and safety supplies Search ALL our MSDS info
ILPI's Interactive Library of OSHA MSDS Regulations and Interpretations
previous topic OSHA Index next topic
Title: 03/04/2014 - OSHA's Amended Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012 ) about classification criteria for Single Target Organ Toxicity
Record Type: InterpretationStandard Number: 1910.1200

March 4, 2014

Erik C. Baptist
Counsel
American Petroleum Institute
1220 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005

Re: Request for Interpretation of OSHA's Amended Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012 ) about classification criteria for Single Target Organ Toxicity

Guardian Equipment G1909 safety station
Safety Emporium carries all kinds of eye/face washes, safety showers, drench hoses and more.

Dear Mr. Baptist:

This letter is being issued to API to provide additional guidance on how to apply the classification criteria for Single Target Organ Toxicity (STOT) to mixtures under the March 26, 2012, revisions to OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012).

In particular, for mixtures containing from 1% to less than 10% of a Category 1 STOT (single exposure (SE) or repeat exposure (RE)), you asked whether there were any circumstances in which OSHA might accept a classification of the mixture as a Category 2 STOT. OSHA agrees that under the following limited circumstances, such a classification would be acceptable.

Mixtures containing from 1% to less than 10% of Category 1 STOT-SE ingredients may be classified as Category 2 STOT-SE under the limited following circumstances. A.8.3.1 allows for the classification of mixtures under the criteria as used for substances. Where the classification of the ingredients is based on animal data only (see A.8.2.1.6), the use of the guidance values in Table A.8.1 is appropriate as a part of the total weight of evidence approach. It may be appropriate, in light of the guidance values, to classify a mixture containing from 1% to less than 10% of Category 1 STOT-SE substances as a Category 2 STOT-SE hazard, where warranted by the weight of evidence. Such a classification must be consistent with all of the criteria in A.8.2.1 ("Substances of Category 1 and Category 2"), including consideration of the severity of the effect observed. However, OSHA would not accept a determination not to classify a mixture based on this approach.

Mixtures containing from 1% to less than 10% of Category 1 STOT-RE ingredients may be classified as Category 2 STOT-RE under the limited following circumstances. A.9.3.1 allows for the classification of mixtures under the criteria as used for substances. Where the classification of the ingredients is based on animal data only (see A.9.2.6) the use of the guidance values in Tables A.9.1 and A.9.2 is appropriate as a part of the total weight of evidence approach. It may be appropriate, in light of the guidance values, to classify a mixture containing from 1% to less than 10% of Category 1 STOT-RE substances as a Category 2 STOT-RE hazard, where warranted by the weight of evidence. Such a classification must be consistent with all of the criteria in A.9.2 ("Classification Criteria for Substances"), including consideration of the severity of the effect observed. However, OSHA would not accept a determination not to classify a mixture based on this approach.

Thank you for your interest in occupational safety and health. We hope you find this information helpful. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules.

Sincerely,

David Michaels, Ph.D, MPH

cc: Lawrence P. Halprin, Esq.
Keller and Heckman LLP
Attorney for API


Entry last updated: Sunday, July 10, 2016. This hypermarked and content-enhanced page is copyright 2001-2024 by ILPI, all rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication or posting on other web sites is expressly prohibited. For questions, comments and concerns, please contact us at our MSDS email address.

The official, public domain, OSHA version of this document is available at http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=28940&p_text_version=FALSE