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Air-curtain guns under compressed-air cleaning rule

Summary An OSHA regional office asked whether an air gun with an air curtain met the compressed-air cleaning rule. OSHA said such guns were acceptable if they met section 1910.242(b) and its 1972 program directive. OSHA archives this interpretation.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1976-09-20
Date issued
September 20, 1976
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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Compressed Air Hand Tools
Source
View the official document

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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

September 20, 1976

MEMORANDUM FOR: Nicholas Di Archangel Acting Regional Administrator

ATTN: E. Largent - Yamazen USA, Inc.

Subject: Request for Interpretation

This is in reply to Mr. Largent's memo of August 4, 1976, subject as above, requesting an interpretation as to whether or not a piece of equipment would meet the intent of 1910.242(b).

Air guns with "air curtains" are acceptable as long as they meet the requirements of 1910.242(b) and Program Directive #100-1, dated February 14, 1972.

Since the above mentioned PD addresses this situation, the correspondence is being returned to your office for action. Your attention is also directed to the 1976 edition of the Best's Safety Directory on portable powered tools which reveals that this type of air gun is being presently marketed.
Barry J. White
Associate Assistant Secretary
for Regional Programs

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