Direct-Reading Instruments

Standards

Direct-reading instruments are addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry, maritime, and construction. This section highlights OSHA standards and documents related to direct-reading instruments.

OSHA Standards

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)
General Industry (29 CFR 1910)		Related Information
1910 Subpart H - Hazardous Materials		Related Information
1910 Subpart H - Hazardous Materials	1910.120, Hazardous waste operations and emergency response. Direct-reading instruments are an important element of the monitoring program outlined by this standard. [related topic page]	Related Information
1910 Subpart J - General Environmental Controls
1910 Subpart J - General Environmental Controls	1910.146, Permit-required confined spaces. Confined spaces must be tested before entry with a direct-reading instrument for oxygen content, flammable gases and vapors, and toxic contaminants. [related topic page]	Related Information
1910 Subpart R - Special Industries
	1910.269, Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution. Direct-reading instruments are required to test for oxygen-deficient atmospheres and flammable gases and vapors. [related topic page]	Related Information
	1910.272, Grain handling facilities. See Appendix A for information related to grain handling facilities.	Related Information

Maritime (29 CFR 1915, 1917, 1918)
Maritime (29 CFR 1915, 1917, 1918)		Related Information
1915 Subpart B - Confined and Enclosed Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres in Shipyard Employment		Related Information
	1915.12, Precautions and the order of testing before entering confined and enclosed spaces and other dangerous atmospheres. Includes similar requirements to 29 CFR 1910.146.	Related Information

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)
Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)		Related Information
1926 Subpart D - Occupational Health and Environmental Controls		Related Information
	1926.65, Hazardous waste operations and emergency response. Contains requirements identical to 29 CFR 1910.120 regarding direct-reading instruments used in construction.	Related Information

State Plan Standards

There are 29 OSHA-approved State Plans operating state-wide occupational safety and health programs. State Plans are required to have standards and enforcement programs that are at least as effective as OSHA's and may have different or more stringent requirements.

Additional Letters of Interpretation

Note: The letters in this list provide additional information that is not necessarily connected to a specific OSHA standard highlighted on this Safety and Health Topics page.

Interpretation concerning 1910.120 requirements for air monitoring, a site safety and health plan, training, and medical surveillance (August 19, 1988).

EPA/Labor Superfund Health and Safety Task Force: OSHA Audits of Superfund Sites from 1993 to 1996. OSHA, (August 25, 1997).
OSHA Compliance Issues: Correcting Common Health And Safety Program Deficiencies At Remediation Sites. OSHA, (June 1996). Includes some discussion regarding the appropriate use of direct-reading instruments.
Summary report on OSHA inspections conducted at superfund incinerator sites. OSHA, (September 16, 1993). Describes inspections that evaluated the use of direct-reading methods as part of the exposure assessment program.