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
Applicability of OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard to the use of safety needles with self-infuse bleeding products. 1910.1030
Requirements for the construction of trash receptacles used in operating rooms for the containerization of regulated waste. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(B)(1), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(B)(2), 1910.1030(g)(1)(i)
Determining the presence of blood in mixture that comprises raw sewage. 1910.132, 1910.1030, 1910.1030(b)
Whether an employer is required to start over an incompleted Hepatitis B vaccination series. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(f)(1)(ii)(D), 1910.1030(f)(2)(i)
Application of OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030, to employees in wastewater treatment plants. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(a), 1910.1030(b), 1910.1030(c)(2), 1910.1030(f)
Whether diabetics who self-administer at work can dispose of capped insulin syringes in an office trash container. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)
OSHA's BBP standard as it relates to laundering of surgical caps contaminated with blood from the operating room. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(3)(iv), 1910.1030(d)(3)(xii)
Whether the BD SmartSlip™ is an acceptable safety-engineered device under 1910.1030. 1910.1030(d)(2)(i), 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(F)
The applicability of OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standards to the use of sharps containers on hospital crash carts. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(2)(i), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(3)(i), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(4)
Application of OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens standard to contractors who clean up blood following accidents. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(b), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(B), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(C), 1910.1030(g)(1), 1910.1030(g)(1)(i), 1910.1030(g)(1)(i)(E), 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(M)
Whether employees certified in CPR and use of AED's are covered under the bloodborne pathogens standards. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(b)
OSHA training Standards Policy Statement. 1910.134(k)(5)(ii), 1910.147(c)(7)(i), 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(N), 1926.21(b)(2)
Clarification of OSHA's policy on changing disposable gloves between patient contacts. 1910.1030(d)(3), 1910.1030(d)(3)(i)
Requirements for safety-engineered sharps for stockpiled pandemic influenza vaccines and pre-filled syringes. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(c)(1)(v), 1910.1030(d)(2)(i)
Documentation of employees' hepatitis B vaccination status. 1910.1030(f)(2)(i), 1910.1030(f)(2)(ii), 1910.1030(h)(1)(ii)(B), 1910.1030(h)(1)(iv)
Clarification on providing first aid training and maintenance of medical records under OSHA's BBP standard. 1910.151, 1910.151(b), 1910.1030, 1910.1030(h)(1)(ii)(A)
Whether shielding is required when removing Becton Dickinson's blood tubes with a Hemoguard® closure. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(2)(i), 1910.1030(d)(3)(x)
Whether urine containers and pregnancy tests need to be discarded in biohazard containers. 1910.1030(b)
Acceptable time lapse for "annual" training. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(g)(2)(v)
The use of safety-engineered devices and work practice controls in operating rooms; hospital responsibility to protect independent practitioners under BBP standard. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)