U.S. Department of Labor | ||||||
Occupational Safety & Health Administration |
Standard Interpretations
05/04/1990 - OSHA requires a minimum of 2 and at least 10% blanks be taken for all samples regardless of purpose. |
Standard Interpretations - Table of Contents |
Standard Number: | 1910.1001 App A; 1926.1101 App A; 1915.1001 App A |
May 4, 1990 Larry Lockard Westinghouse Electric 1234 Columbia Dr. SE Richland, WA 99352 Dear Larry, You ask regarding when blanks are necessary. Simply, internally, OSHA requires blanks to be taken for all asbestos samples regardless of purpose. The regulations require that a minimum of 2 and at least 10% blanks be taken for any set of samples for any purpose under the OSHA standards. In general, whenever either of the major asbestos methods are used, blanks are required to be used. That is, whenever either OSHA ID 160 or NIOSH 7400 are used, a minimum of two and at least10% blanks must be taken and included in the analysis. The methods do not require laboratory blanks and these field blanks are required to assure that the medium is uncontaminated either in the field or from the manufacturer. If these guidelines are not followed, the analyzing laboratory may not say that they have followed either, NIOSH or OSHA guidelines. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to call. Sincerely, Daniel T. Crane Supervisory Physical Scientist [Corrected 6/2/2005] April 26, 1990 Mr. Dan Crane USDOL/OSHA P.O. Box 15200 Salt Lake City, UT 84115 Dear Mr. Crane: I am writing in regards to our conversation on 4/26/90 concerning the necessity of collecting Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) field blanks with pre-abatement (baseline) samples. Mycontention is that failure to take blanks with pre-abatement samples introduces an unwanted and unwarranted bias into the procedure. Thank you for your assistance. I am looking forward to your response on this subject. Sincerely, Larry D. Lockard Scientist |
Standard Interpretations - Table of Contents |
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