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

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Date Title Standard Number
Discretion in Enforcement when Considering an Employer's Good Faith Efforts During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic 1910.95(g)(6), 1910.119(e)(6), 1910.120(e)(8), 1910.120(p)(7), 1910.120(q)(5), 1910.120(q)(7), 1910.134(f)(2), 1910.134(k), 1910.1048(l)(4), 1919.15, 1926.1412(f)
Precautionary statements in Hazard Communication standard 1910.1200, 1910.1200 App C
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
HCS Labeling Requirements for Bulk Shipments of Small Packages 1910.1200(f)(1)(i), 1910.1200(f)(1)(ii), 1910.1200(f)(1)(iii), 1910.1200(f)(1)(iv)
HAZCOM's hazardous waste exemption as related to EPA's universal wastes 1910.1200(b)(6)(i)
HCS Labeling requirements regarding intra-plant and intercompany shipping 1910.1200(f)(1), 1910.1200(f)(6), 1910.1200(f)(7)
Occupational Exposure to Beryllium Standard – Dissolvable Laundry Bags for Personal Protective Clothing 1910.1024(h)(2)(v), 1910.1024(m)(3), 1910.1200, 1910.1024
Enforcement Policy for Respiratory Hazards Not Covered by OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits 1910.1200
Hazard Communication Standard – SDS responsible party and hazards not otherwise classified 1910.1200, 1910.1200(f)(6), 1910.1200(g)(2)(ii), 1910.1200 App C, 1910.1200 App D
EPA Risk Pesticides Subject to HCS Labeling 1910.1200, 1910.1200(b)(5)(i), 1910.1200(b)(5)(v), 1910.1200(g)
CPDA's request to extend the deadline for distributors to label non-pesticide agricultural chemical products in accordance with the HCS 2012 1910.1200(j)(2), 1910.1200(j)(2)(i)
Hazard Communication Standard – SDS Physical and Chemical Properties 1910.1200
HCS pictogram labeling of DOT-39 Non-Refillable Cylinders 1910.1200, 1910.1200(f)(1)
Hazard Communication Standard – Globally Harmonized System Revision 5 1910.1200
Interim Enforcement Guidance for the Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction Standard, 29 CFR 1926.1153 1910.134, 1910.1053, 1910.1200, 1926.1153, 1926.1153(c), 1926.1153(c)(1), 1926.1153(d), 1926.1153(d)(1), 1926.1153(d)(2), 1926.1153(d)(2)(iii)(B), 1926.1153(d)(2)(iii)(E), 1926.1153(d)(2)(v), 1926.1153(d)(3), 1926.1153(e)(1)(ii)(C), 1926.1153(i)(2)
What constitutes an emergency response or incidental release of anhydrous ammonia 1910.38, 1910.119, 1910.120, 1910.120(q), 1910.1200
Clarification on the use of ingredient percentage and trade secret on SDSs 1910.1200 - Index, 1910.1200(i)
Use of trade secret in lieu of known ingredient percentages on SDSs 1910.1200, 1910.1200(i)
Listing and disclosing Benzene as a human carcinogen on the label and SDS 1910.1200(f), 1910.1200(f)(1), 1910.1200(g), 1910.1200(g)(1), 1910.1200 App A - Index, 1910.1200 App C - Index, 1910.1200 App D - Index