Ezel / Labor Guidance / US
Back to Federal guidance

Polyethylene containers for combustible liquids

Summary A chemical company asked whether combustible liquids could be stored in plastic containers rather than metal ones. OSHA said polyethylene containers could be treated as a de minimis violation if the conditions in its cited instruction were followed. OSHA now archives the letter as potentially outdated.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1989-03-09
Date issued
March 9, 1989
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA archives this letter and says it may no longer represent OSHA policy.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Flammable Liquids Storage
Source
View the official document

Apply this to your situation

This page explains the general guidance. Ask about your specific situation and see what current federal labor law says, with citations.

The current status of this document is unclear
OSHA archives this letter and says it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

March 9, 1989

Michael Lafond, CIH
Betz Laboratories, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Lafond:

This is in response to your letter of February 1, 1989, requesting an interpretation of 29 CFR 1910.106(d)(2)(i), as it applies to the storage of combustible liquids in plastic, e.g., polyethylene, containers.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has determined that it is a de minimis violation of 29 CFR 1910.106(d)(2)(i) to store combustible liquids in polyethylene containers, if the guidelines specified in the enclosed OSHA Instruction STD 1-5.14A are followed. The de minimis violation is merely a record kept by OSHA to verify compliance.

If we can be of any further assistance, please let us know.

Sincerely,
Thomas J. Shepich, Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs
Enclosure

[Requester letter reproduced on OSHA page; omitted here.]

Related guidance

Permanently labeled locks for electrical lockout Opinion Letter · August 17, 2026 Helmet selection for lateral head-impact hazards Opinion Letter · August 17, 2026 Asbestos precautions when restoring drywall after flood damage Opinion Letter · May 7, 2026 Enforcement policy for recording and reporting COVID-19 cases Guidance · March 31, 2026

What does federal law require in your situation?

Ezel checks current federal labor law against your facts and answers with citations.

Opens in Ezel Pro.

  • Checks the law as it stands today, not only this page
  • Cites every source it relies on, so you can verify it
  • Chat, drafting and research in one workspace