Ezel / Labor Guidance / US
Back to Federal guidance

Methylene chloride respirator-rule misprint in 1998 CFR

Summary A national OSHA memorandum warned regional administrators that the 1998 CFR printed two respiratory-protection sections for the methylene chloride standard. It identified the first as correct and told staff to disregard the second. The issue described was specific to the 1998 edition.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1998-12-22-0
Date issued
December 22, 1998
Status
Unknown
This memorandum addresses a misprint specific to the 1998 Code of Federal Regulations; OSHA's page does not establish a current policy issue.
Status last verified October 9, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Respiratory Protection Methylene Chloride
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
This memorandum addresses a misprint specific to the 1998 Code of Federal Regulations; OSHA's page does not establish a current policy issue. 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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.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.

December 22, 1998

MEMORANDUM FOR: REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS

FROM: RICHARD E. FAIRFAX, DIRECTOR, DIRECTORATE OF COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS

SUBJECT: Misprint of the Respirator Section of the Methylene Chloride Standard in the 1998 Edition of the Code of Federal Regulations

The 1998 edition of the Code of Federal Regulations (published in July) mistakenly contains two respiratory protection sections for the methylene chloride standard, 29 CFR 1910.1052. The first section, beginning on page 435 at (g)(1) and ending on page 436 at (g)(4)(ii), is correct and is the section to enforce. The second respiratory protection section, beginning on page 436 at (g)(1) and ending on page 437 at (g)(7)(ii), is incorrect and should be disregarded.

The methylene chloride standard on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) world wide web site (www.osha.gov) contains only the correct version of the respiratory protection section.

Please distribute this memorandum to the Area Offices and the State designees in your Region.

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