Letters of Interpretation | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

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

Date	Title	Standard Number
11/21/1994	HCS as it relates to the guidelines described in OSHA's 1986 publication regarding disposal of hospital wastes contaminated with cytotoxic drugs.	1910.1030, 1910.1200
11/10/1994	Requesting a written opinion on the disposal of the needle-less Biojector syringe.	1910.1030
10/13/1994	OSHA requirements for sharps containers under the Bloodborne Pathogens Standards.	1910.1030
08/12/1994	Applicability of the bloodborne pathogens standard to tag attachment devices in garment industries.	1910.1030(a), 1910.1030(b), 1910.1030(c)(2)
08/02/1994	OSHA Regulation 1910.1030 and the Applicability to Electric Utilities.	1910.1030
08/01/1994	A review of the publication "Safety News" as it relates to the OSHA regulation 1910.1030.	1910.1030
07/15/1994	The necessity for the standard and the standard's requirements, as well as other pertinent regulations.	1910.1030
07/01/1994	Appropriate quality standards for PPE.	1910.1030
06/21/1994	Applicability of 1910.1030 to establish human cell lines.	1910.1030
06/10/1994	Decontamination of a plush carpet surface after a spill.	1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii)(A)
05/13/1994	Bloodborne pathogens standard applies to employees performing maintenance activities which involve making or keeping a structure, fixture, or foundation.	1910.1030
05/06/1994	OSHA requires the use of a tuberculocidal disinfectant to clean up blood or body fluids.	1910.1030
04/29/1994	Recapping of contaminated needles.	1910.1030
04/27/1994	Occupational health hazards to veterinarians.	1910.1000, 1910.1200, 1910.1030, 1910.101
04/26/1994	Is a physician's order required before performing blood testing on a source individual after consent is obtained.	1910.1030
04/25/1994	The employer should make the determination whether the reusable or the disposable device better satisfies requirements of Bloodborne Pathogens standard.	1910.1030
04/13/1994	The requirements for disinfection as referenced in CPL 2-2.44C, the Directive for Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.	1910.1030
04/07/1994	Whether containers which meet the criteria of the U.S. Department of Transportation Infectious Substance Regulations.	1910.1030
04/01/1994	The wearing of gloves during routine vena punctures.	1910.1030
03/31/1994	Secondary container for a specimen.	1910.1030