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

Filters


Date Title Standard Number
Training and PPE requirements for hospital staff that decontaminate victims/patients. 1910.120, 1910.120(q), 1910.120(q)(3), 1910.120(q)(3)(iv), 1910.120(q)(6), 1910.120(q)(6)(ii), 1910.134, 1910.134(c), 1910.132, 1910.132(d), 1910.132(d)(2)
HAZWOPER safety and health plan requirements for Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments. 1910.120(b)(4), 1910.120(b)(4)(ii), 1910.120(d), 1910.120, 1926.21(b)(2)
HAZWOPER medical examinations must be offered at a reasonable time and without cost to the employee 1910.120(f)(5), 1910.120
Respiratory protection, medical surveillance, and training requirements under HAZWOPER 1910.134(e), 1910.134(f), 1910.134, 1910.120, 1910.120(q)(6)(i), 1910.120(q)(6)(ii), 1910.120(q)(8)
Respiratory protection requirements for hospital staff decontaminating chemically contaminated patients. 1910.120, 1910.134, 1910.134(c), 1910.132, 1910.132(d), 1910.132(d)(2), 1910.120(q), 1910.120(q)(3), 1910.120(q)(3)(iv)
Criteria for trade secret status 1910.1200(i)
Hazwoper training for security guards; documentation necessary when training varies. 1910.120(q)(6)
Storage of flammable liquids and corrosives in the same cabinet. 1910.106, 1910.1200(g)
Hazards of Inipol EAP22 used during cleanup of oil spills. 1910.1200
Labeling requirements under the HAZCOM and Laboratory standards;use of safe needle devices. 1910.1200(f), 1910.1450(h)(1)(i), 1910.1030(d)(2)(i)
Responsible party for MSDSs and labelling of imported chemicals. 1910.1200(g)(2)(xii), 1910.1200(g)(5), 1910.1200(f)(1)(iii), 1910.1200(f)(11)
OSHA policies concerning employees working at home. 1904.14, 1910.1200(g), 1910.147, 1910.146, 1910.132
Employee access to MSDSs required by 1910.1200 vs. 1910.1020. 1910.1020, 1910.1020(e)(1)(iii)(A), 1910.1020(e)(1)(iii)(B), 1910.1200, 1910.1200(g)(8)
OSHA policies concerning employees working at home. 1904.14, 1910.1200(g), 1910.147, 1910.146, 1910.132
LOTO of hydraulic systems; postal workers' exposure to hazardous material spills. 1910.147, 1910 Subpart S, 1910.120(q), 1910.1030, 1910.1200
OSHA will not currently pursue a national MSDS repository. 1910.1200(g)
HAZCOM: Clarification of "article" and "hazardous substance". 1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(d)(4)
Web-based HAZWOPER refresher training: hands-on training and trainer accessibility. 1910.120(e)(8), 1926.65(e)(8)
Using "stick-on" labels to meet the requirements of 1910.1200. 1910.1200(f)
One MSDS may apply to multiple complex mixtures having similar hazards. 1910.1200(g)(4)