Methanol and propane used solely as furnace fuel

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

April 7, 1994

Mr. Don L. Hudnall
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Hudnall:

This is in response to your February 28 letter, requesting clarification on whether the Process Safety Management (PSM) of Highly Hazardous Chemicals standard, 29 CFR 1910.119 applies to the following workplace application.

Scenario: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. has a heat treating process which uses a combination of methanol and propane solely to fuel furnace/ovens used to heat metal parts such as gears. This process does not include any other chemicals covered by the PSM standard.

Reply: The process described in the scenario above would not be covered by the PSM standard which excepts hydrocarbon fuels, including methanol and propane, used solely for workplace consumption as fuel. (See 1910.119(a)(ii)(A)).

Thank you for your interest in occupational safety and health. If we may be of further assistance please contact us.

Sincerely,
Raymond E. Donnelly, Director
Office of General Industry Compliance Assistance