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Yellow-band marking on flammable-liquid safety cans

Summary A safety-can maker asked whether its marking instructions met OSHA's rule. OSHA said they did not, because a yellow identification band had to go around the can; a conspicuous yellow contents name was the rule's other option. OSHA archives the letter.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1977-10-27
Date issued
October 27, 1977
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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Container Labeling
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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

October 27, 1977
Mr. J. N. Grimshaw
Vice President - Sales
Justrite Manufacturing Company
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Grimshaw:
This in response to your letter of October 7, 1977, regarding a request that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) review whether the company's requirements for marking safety cans comply with 29 CFR 1910.144(a)(1)(ii). In addition, it confirms a telephone conversation with a member of my staff.
As requested, this office has reviewed Justrite Manufacturing Company's requirements for marking safety cans. The company's requirements as stated do not comply with 29 CFR 1910.144(a)(1)(ii) in that the yellow band is not required to completely go around the container.
The intent of 29 CFR 1910.144(a)(1)(ii) is that:

safety cans or other portable containers of flammable liquids having a flashpoint at or below 80 degrees F. (open cup tester), excluding shipping containers, shall be painted red with some additional clearly visible identification either in the form of a yellow band around the can or the name of the contents conspicuously stenciled or painted on the can in yellow.

Thank you for your continuing interest in occupational safety and health. If I may be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
John K. Barto, Chief
Division of Occupational Safety Programming

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