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Testing insulating gloves for telecom workers

Summary A telecommunications employer asked which OSHA rule controlled initial and repeat testing of rubber insulating gloves and blankets. OSHA said the telecommunications-specific provision governed instead of the broader general-industry provision. OSHA labels the letter an archive document.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1995-04-17
Date issued
April 17, 1995
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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 9, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Electrical Safety Telecommunications
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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

April 17, 1995

Mr. Charles R. Slagle
Director, Risk Management
Sprint
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Slagle:

This is in response to your letter of November 18, 1994 concerning the initial and interval testing of personal protective equipment (rubber insulating gloves and blankets). Please accept our apology for the delay in this response.

The standards set forth in 1910.268(f)(5) are specifically designed for the telecommunications industry, as indicated by its heading. Those standards contained in 1910.137 cover all of general industry. Therefore, the applicable standards that would cover the initial and interval testing of rubber insulating gloves and blankets would come under 1910.268.

We appreciate your interest in employee safety and health. If we can be of further assistance, please contact Carla Marcellus on 202/219-8041 ext. 105.

Sincerely,
John B. Miles, Jr., Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs

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

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