|
U.S. Department of Labor | |
||||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
 |
|
Standard Interpretations
05/27/2003 - Electrical conductors and equipment must be approved and used according to its listing/label. |
Standard Interpretations - Table of Contents |
| • Standard Number: | 1910.303; 1910.303(a); 1910.303(b)(2) |
|
May 27, 2003 Mr. Joe M. Castelli Corporate Manager of Quality Ajax TOCCO Magnethermic 1506 Industrial Boulevard Boaz, AL 35957 Dear Mr. Castelli: Thank you for your May 1 letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding a multi-conductor "Litz" wire that may violate OSHA regulations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation only of the requirements discussed and may not be applicable to any questions not delineated within your original correspondence. Your paraphrased scenario, question, and our response are provided below: Scenario: "A representative of a company who manufactures multi-conductor "Litz" wire informed us the brand of "Litz" wire we are currently using would probably violate some OSHA regulations. His statement was based on the fact the wire has a PVC insulating jacket and if caught fire would emit toxic fumes. The "Litz" wire is used in high frequency power supplies used for induction heat treating. We use sizes ranging from 4 to 8 AWG at frequencies between 1 and 50 KHz. Actual current through the conductors is typically around 60 Amps." Question: Based on the information provided, the question is, are we in violation of some OSHA regulation? Response: The OSHA standards covering electrical hazards associated with the electric equipment, including "Litz" wire described in your letter, are contained in 29 CFR, Subpart S, Sections 29 CFR 1910.302 through 1910.308. Pursuant to 29 CFR §1910.303(a), workplace electric conductors and equipment must be approved to be acceptable to OSHA. One way in which an electrical conductor or equipment is "acceptable" to OSHA and approved within the meaning of 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S is if it is accepted, or certified, or listed, or labeled, or otherwise determined to be safe by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL). Furthermore, 29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2) requires that listed or labeled equipment shall be used or installed in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling. The definitions for "listed" or "labeled" are stated in Section 29 CFR 1910.399 as follows:
Underwriter's Laboratories, Inc.Thank you for your interest in occupational safety and health. 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. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at http://www.osha.gov. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Office of General Industry Enforcement at (202) 693-1850. Sincerely, Richard E. Fairfax, Director Directorate of Enforcement Programs |
|
Standard Interpretations - Table of Contents |
 Back to Top |
www.osha.gov | www.dol.gov |
Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers |
||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 |
||
