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Carbon dioxide displacement of oxygen hazard bulletin

Summary OSHA agreed workers should be warned about oxygen displacement by carbon dioxide and said a hazard bulletin covering protective measures was being developed. OSHA archives this historical correspondence.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1996-05-28-1
Date issued
May 28, 1996
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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Chemical Safety Oxygen Deficiency
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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

May 28, 1996

The Honorable David L. Hobson
House of Representatives
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Congressman Hobson:

This is in response to your letter of February 7, addressed to Geri D. Palast, Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, on behalf of your constituent, Dr. Manoj Desai, who is concerned with the dangers of carbon dioxide exposure. We agree that all workers need to be made aware of the potential hazards of carbon dioxide displacement of oxygen.

OSHA has a process for disseminating information on hazardous substances which includes specific hazard bulletins. A hazard bulletin is currently being developed on the hazards of carbon dioxide displacement of oxygen that covers the protective measures your constituent has suggested.

Any questions regarding the bulletin on the hazards of carbon dioxide can be addressed to Mr. Steve Mallinger, Acting Director for the Directorate of Technical Support at (202) 219-7031. Once the hazard bulletin has been completed, a copy can be obtained from Mr. Mallinger's office.

We appreciate your constituent's interest in worker safety and health.

Sincerely,
Joseph A. Dear
Assistant Secretary

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

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