Occupational Exposure to Cotton Dust

OSHA is issuing a direct final rule amending its occupational health standard for Cotton Dust, which was issued in 1978 and amended in 1985, to add cotton washed in a batch kier system to the types of washed cotton partially exempt from the cotton dust standard. This direct final rule follows the recommendation of the Task Force for Byssinosis Prevention, formerly known as the Industry/Government/Union Task Force for Washed Cotton Evaluation, which studies the health effects associated with the processing and use of washed cotton. This direct final rule is also consistent with a finding of OSHA's review of the cotton dust standard conducted pursuant to Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and Section 5 of Executive Order 12866. See also the companion documents published in the Proposed Rules and Notices sections of today's Federal Register.