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Combustible liquids with flashpoints above 200 degrees

Summary A manufacturer asked about combustible liquids with flashpoints above 200 degrees. OSHA said the cited standard omitted that category, while employers still had to provide a safe workplace and could be cited if precautions were inadequate. OSHA archives the letter.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1975-07-21
Date issued
July 21, 1975
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Flammable Liquids Chemical Storage
Source
View the official document

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The current status of this document is unclear
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy. It may no longer reflect the agency's current position. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

July 21, 1975
Cornelius H. Collender
Manager Technical Service
Research and Development
Airwick Industries, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Collender:
This is in response to your letter requesting clarification of the OSHA Standard 1910.106(a)(18)(ii)(a) and (b) relating to standards covering greater than 200° flashpoint.
Anything over 200°, although still classified as combustible is exempt from Standards regulation since the Standards failed to include that category. However, this should not be presumed to excuse an employer from providing a safe and healthful workplace in accordance with the Williams-Steiger Act. Therefore, some degree or protection and a great deal of caution should be used in handling and storing substances which are classified above the 200° flashpoint.
The lack of proper precautions could result in a citation issued by a compliance officer.
Please feel free to contact us if there are further questions about OSHA.
Sincerely,
Alfred Barden
Assistant Regional Director
Occupational Safety and Health

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