Scenario: Some equipment manufacturers believe that all equipment used in combustible dust atmospheres, including non-electrically powered vacuum cleaners, requires NRTL listing/approval.
Question: Could OSHA clarify the NRTL listing/approval requirements for non-electrical vacuum cleaners used in combustible dust atmospheres?
(emphasis added by me)
Response: Currently, NO NRTL is recognized to certify non-electric vacuums for hazardous locations. Generally, non-electrical vacuums used in any hazardous (classified) locations, MUST meet the applicable manufacturer’s listing and labeling requirements. OSHA ONLY recognizes certification and testing by NRTLs. A list of currently recognized NRTLs and the scope of NRTL recognition can be viewed at this site: https://www.osha.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/.
OSHA’s requirements for hazardous (classified) locations are in 29 CFR 1910.307, and those requirements are only for electrical and electronic equipment and wiring in hazardous (classified) locations. OSHA standards are similar to NFPA standards for equipment used in classified locations. Therefore, OSHA REQUIRES equipment used in any hazardous (classified) location to be rated for the location by Class, Zone, Division, and/or Group, as necessary.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Although this LOI is specific to COM DUSTs (i.e. Class II HAZLOCs), the same logic and requirements will applu to Class I and III HAZLOCs.
CLICK HERE for this LOI