Letters of Interpretation

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. Each letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed.

Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information.

These letters of interpretation and the standards they address may not apply to OSHA State Plans. State Plans are required to have standards and enforcement programs that are at least as effective as OSHA's and may have different or additional requirements. Please see OSHA-approved State Plans for more information.

NOTICE:

How to Request a Letter of Interpretation

Filters


Date Title Standard Number
Hazard assessments for PPE at disaster clean-up sites with multiple employers 1910.120, 1910.132, 1910.132(d)(1), 1910.132(d)(2)
Training requirements for on scene incident commanders in OSHA's HAZWOPER standard 1910.120, 1910.120(q)(6), 1910.120(q)(6)(v)
Application of OSHA’s HAZWOPER standard to homeless camp cleanup operations 1910.120, 1910.120(a)(1)(iii), 1910.120(a)(2)(i), 1910.120(a)(3)
Hands-on training requirements of the OSHA HAZWOPER 1910.120(e)(3)
Clarification of the HAZWOPER standard to employees engaged in the cleanup of blood from crimes or trauma incidents 1910.120, 1910.120(q)(6), 1910.120(q)(11), 1910.1030
Virtual Reality Safety Training, Various OSHA Standards 1910.120 - Index, 1910.269 - Index, 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(N)
Cleanup of blood from crime or accident scenes and HAZWOPER training requirements 1910.120, 1910.120(a)(3), 1910.120(e)(3), 1910.120(e)(4), 1910.120(q)(6), 1910.120(q)(11), 1910.1030
Escape-only respirators 1910.134, 1910.134(c)(1), 1910.134(e)(1), 1910.120
What constitutes an emergency response or incidental release of anhydrous ammonia 1910.38, 1910.119, 1910.120, 1910.120(q), 1910.1200
Mandatory annual blood work requirements in OSHA's Respiratory Protection and Ethylene Oxide standards 1910.134(e), 1910.134(e)(3), 1910.134(e)(6)(i)(B), 1910.1047(i), 1910.1047(i)(2)(i)(B), 1910.1047(i)(2)(i)(D), 1910.1047(i)(2)(ii)(A)
Training requirements for emergency response medical service 1910.120, 1910.120(q)(6), 1910.120(q)(6)(i)
HAZWOPER standard's requirements for medical surveillance and training 1910.120
Mandatory elements of a HAZWOPER baseline physical examination. 1910.120, 1910.120(q)(9)(i), 1910.120(f)(3)(ii), 1910.120(f)(4)(i)
Applicability of HAZWOPER to the clearing and rerailing of train cars after derailment situations. 1910.120, 1910.120(a)(2)(iv), 1910.120(q), 1910.120(q)(4), 1910.120(q)(6), 1910.120(q)(11)
Whether an employer's medical monitoring form meets the requirements under HAZWOPER. 1910.120, 1910.120(f)(7)
Clarification of mobile workers and sanitation facility requirements under HAZWOPER. 1910.120, 1910.120(n)(3), 1926.65, 1926.65(n)(3), 1926.51(c)(4)
Training requirements under the HAZWOPER standard. 1910.120
Clarification on whether the HAZWOPER standard applies to Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams responding to a terrorist incident. 1910.120
Trainer qualifications under the HAZWOPER standard. 1910.120
OSHA requirements for mercury response and clean-up personnel in a number of different site-specific scenarios. 1910.120, 1910.1000