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.

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Date	Title	Standard Number
10/17/2000	Recording injuries/illness of pool nurses (temporary employees);needlestick recordkeeping.	1904.2, 1910.1030(c)(1)(ii)(C), 1904.12(c)
10/04/2000	Responsibility for cleaning/preventing exposure to contaminated emergency medical equipment.	1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(4)(i), 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iv), 1910.1030(e)(2)(ii)(B)
09/25/2000	Applicability of bloodborne pathogens standard to athletic trainers; handling of contaminated laundry.	1910.1030, 1975.3(d)
09/06/2000	Surgical smoke is not covered by the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.	1910.1030(b)
05/04/2000	The BBP standard applicability to home health care service workers.	1910.1030
05/03/2000	Application of 1910.1030 (HBV vaccination series) to police, firefighters, and accident investigators.	1910.1030(f)(1)(ii)(D), 1960.16, 1975.5
03/13/2000	Disposal methods for blood collection tubes.	1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(B), 1910.1030(g)(1)(i)
03/10/2000	HBV antibody testing is required after vaccination series;HBV booster not required.	1910.1030(f)(1)(i), 1910.1030(f)(2)(v)
11/10/1999	LOTO of hydraulic systems; postal workers' exposure to hazardous material spills.	1910.147, 1910 Subpart S, 1910.120(q), 1910.1030, 1910.1200
11/05/1999	Clarification of HIV and HBV research and clinical laboratories.	1910.1030(b), 1910.1030(e)
11/01/1999	Bloodborne Pathogens: Handwashing facilities must be readily accessible.	1910.1030(d)(2)(iii), 1910.1030(d)(2)(v), 1910.1030(d)(2)(vi)
10/29/1999	Employers must ensure that post-exposure follow-up procedures are provided.	1910.1030(f)(3), 1910.1030(f)(5)
10/21/1999	Employees (daycare workers) required to provide first aid are covered by 1910.1030	1910.1030
07/21/1999	Bloodborne pathogens: OSHA acceptance of DOT "Infectious Substances" label.	1910.1030(g)(1)(i)
07/15/1999	OSHA's policy regarding the use of EPA-registered disinfectants.	1910.1030(c)(4)(ii)(A)
07/07/1999	Employer's responsibility to provide time and transportation for Hepatitis B vaccinations.	1910.1030(f)(1)(ii)
03/25/1999	Applicability of Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to HCV.	1910.1030
03/19/1999	OSHA regulations for protection from microbes.	1910.1030(e), 1910.139
02/22/1999	Glass Capillary Tubes: Joint Safety Advisory About Potential Risks.	1910.1030
01/15/1999	Trainer accessibility during training.	1910.1030, 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(N)