MOSH Standard Notice 02-1 - MOSH Standard Notices

A.   Background

1. On November 20, 2001, the Commissioner of Labor and Industry adopted amendments, additions, and revisions relating to Occupational Exposure to Cotton Dust, as codified under 29 CFR 1910.1043 and published in 65 FR 76563 - 76567 (December 7, 2000).
    
2. On December 7, 2000, OSHA issued a direct final rule amending its occupational health standard for Cotton Dust (29 CFR 1910.1043) to add cotton washed in a batch kier system to the other types of washed cotton that are partially exempt from the cotton dust standard. The rule followed the recommendations of the Task Force for Byssinosis Prevention, which studied the health effects associated with processing and use of washed cotton. The final rule creates no new requirements for industry but does provide an additional protective option for employers to achieve partial exemption from the cotton dust standard.

B.  Action

1. MOSH Compliance personnel will enforce the adopted changes as provided in Attachment A.
    
2. MOSH Supervisors will hold appropriate training sessions in each region to review the standard's requirements.