Art, You absolutely win the prize for the first truly definitive answer to my challenge! Obviously Mr. Blocher had the same trouble interpreting the meaning of "utilization equipment". Note how simple it was for OSHA to clearly state that desktop computuers (PCs) are included. It is a shame that the wording in the CFR is so much more obtuse. Now all we need is about 10,000 more such letters to cover pencil sharpeners, plotters, staplers, etc.
The horse was not dead, but I think your note finished it off. BTW, your prize is a nomination for the Product Safety Hall of Fame, to be established at the beginning of the third millenium. Regards, George Hello George, While I'm reluctant to flog a dead horse, somewhere along this discussion thread, someone was looking for a "definitive statement" regarding the subject at hand. After searching OSHA's Interpretation Letters I found the following letter relating OSHA's requirements and (desktop) computers. Regards, Art Michael Editor - Int'l Product Safety News * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * International Product Safety Bookshop * * Check out our current offerings! * * <http://www.safetylink.com/bookshop.html> * * * * Another service of the Safety Link * * <www.safetylink.com> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ============================================================================ OSHA Banner Image Map OSHA Standards Interpretation and Compliance Letters 02/18/1992 - Electrical standards as it applies to desktop computers. _________________________________________________________________ OSHA Standard Interpretation and Compliance Letters - Table of Contents OSHA Standard Interpretation and Compliance Letters - Table of Contents _________________________________________________________________ * Record Type: Interpretation * Standard Number: 1910.303;1910.399 * Subject: Electrical standards as it applies to desktop computers. * Information Date:02/18/1992 _________________________________________________________________ February 18, 1992 William K. Blocher President BBC Computers Inc. 7 Columbia Circle Merrimack, New Hampshire 03054 Dear Mr. Blocher: Thank you for your letter of January 23, requesting clarification on the applicability of 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S, Electrical standards, to desktop computers. Desktop computers are "appliances" otherwise described as "utilization equipment" when used by employees in the workplace. By 29 CFR 1910.303(a) "equipment" required or permitted by 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S shall be "accepted" only if "approved". "Approved" means acceptable to the authority, that is, the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, enforcing 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S. The definition of "acceptable" includes three different methods to determine acceptable equipment, and these methods are specified at 1910.399. A copy of the 1910.399 definitions, specified by quotation marks in this letter, is enclosed for your use. We appreciate your interest in occupational safety and health. If we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely, Patricia K. Clark, Director Directorate of Compliance Programs Enclosure _________________________________________________________________ OSHA Standard Interpretation and Compliance Letters - Table of Contents OSHA Standard Interpretation and Compliance Letters - Table of Contents tracking image =========================================================================== --------- This message is coming from the emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to majord...@ieee.org with the single line: "unsubscribe emc-pstc" (without the quotes). For help, send mail to ed.pr...@cubic.com, jim_bac...@monarch.com, ri...@sdd.hp.com, or roger.volgst...@compaq.com (the list administrators).