Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993)RegulationsRegulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents, 2020AnnexuresAnnexure 3 : Hazardous Chemical Agent GuidelinesGuidance on medical surveillance and biological monitoringMethods of measurement and calculation for determining fibre concentrations of man-made mineral fibresCotton dust |
| 98. | Cotton is the cellulose fibre that grows inside the seed pods (or bolls) of the cotton plant. When mature, the boll breaks and the cotton appears as a soft wad of fine fibres. After picking, the cotton is separated from the seed etc., and is packed and compressed into bales. |
| 99. | The OELs, which are based on personal sampling, applies to exposure to dust during the handling of raw and waste cotton, including blends containing raw or waste cotton, with the following exceptions: |
| (a) | dust from weaving, knitting, braiding and subsequent processes; |
| (b) | dust from bleached or dyed cotton; and |
| (c) | dust from finished articles, for example, garments. |
(Where the OEL does not apply, exposure should still be adequately controlled.)
Two OELs apply:
| (a) | Cotton dust less fly; and |
| (b) | Cotton dust inhalable airborne particulate. |