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.

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Date Title Standard Number
Suspended scaffold and fall protection requirements applicable to elevator construction 1926.450(b), 1926.451(g), 1926.451(h), 1926.500(b), 1926.502(d)
A leaf blower should not be used to remove silica dust from clothing 1926.1153 - Index, 1926.1153(f)(1)
Regarding guardrail systems and fall protection requirements to scaffold systems, including form scaffolds. 1926.451(g)(4)(i)
Enforcement Guidance for General Industry Rope Descent System (RDS) Anchorage Requirements (29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)) 1910.21(b), 1910.27(b)(1), 1910.27(b)(1)(i), 1910.27(b)(1)(ii), 1910.27(b)(1)(iii), 1910.27(b)(2)(iv), 1910.30, 1910 Subpart B, 1910 Subpart D
Monorail Hoists Enforcement Policies 1926 Subpart CC, 1926.1400(a)
Regarding construction work in water storage tanks and Permit-required confined space requirements in construction. 1926.1202, 1926.1204, 1926.1209(d), 1926.1211(a)
Fall protection requirements for a walking/working surface above a catch platform with a guardrail system 1926.500(b)(1)
Clarification of OSHA requirements for dual-rated equipment meeting consensus standards for both aerial lifts and cranes 1926.1400, 1926.453
Regarding scaffolds height measurement. 1926.452(c)(6), 1910.28(d)(11)
Allowable load rating of the suspension wire ropes with wire clip terminations 1926.451(a)(3)
Clarification of personal ladder boom system requirements 1926.1053, 1926.500(b)
Protection of employees by overhead protection on a personnel platform, being lifted by a crane, when employees are exposed to falling objects 1926.1431(e)(10)
Weight of the scaffold in determining whether the 4 to 1 factor is satisfied in construction and general industry standards 1926.450, 1926.451(a)(1), 1910.27(a)
Interim Policy for 29 CFR 1915.71(j)(1) Regarding Scaffold Top Rail Heights in Shipyard Employment 1915.71(j)(1)
Hoisting Employees in boatswain’s chair to perform boat-building and boat-repair work 1915 - Table of Contents, 1926 Subpart C, 1926.1431, 1926.1431(b)
Clarification of the lockout/tags-plus standard for maritime employment. 1915.80, 1915.81(b)(2), 1915.82, 1915.84, 1915.89, 1915.89(c)(7), 1915.89(k)(2), 1915.89(m)
Applicability of OSHA's Cranes and Derricks standard to hoists attached to mast climbing platforms. 1926.1400, 1926.1400(a)
Toprail height requirements for pump jack scaffolds. 1926.451, 1926.451(g)(4), 1926.452, 1926.452(j)
Whether #9 wire may be used to secure the toprails and midrails on tubular scaffolding; permissible method for setting transitional wood planks. 1926.451, 1926.451(g)(4), 1926.451(b)(8)
Minimum distance required between guardrails on an industrial truck work platform. 1926.451, 1926.451(g)(1)(vii), 1926.451(g)(4)(vi)