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
Material Safety Data Sheets. 1910.1200, 1910.1200(g)(1), 1910.1200(g)(8)
Training provisions of OSHA's HAZWOPER standard. 1910.38, 1910.120
Overlap between FDA and OSHA in the regualtion of dental devices. 1910.1200
Interpretation on medical surveillance requirements under OSHA's Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. 1910.120, 1926.65
Definition of a Hazardous Substance. 1910.120
The NACOSH report regarding hazard communication. 1910.1200
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requirements for Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). 1910.1200
Clarification of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard. 1910.1200
Voluntary safety and health audits under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1910.1020, 1910.95, 1910.119, 1910.120, 1910.132, 1910.134, 1910.137, 1910.146, 1910.147, 1910.272, 1910.1025, 1926.20
Clarification regarding the use of eyewash stations. 1910.151, 1910.1200
Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). 1910.1200
The number of workers necessary to be present when there is a need for an operator to respond to a potential emergency that falls under the scope of the HAZWOPER standard. 1910.120
Distribution of Material Safety Data Sheets. 1910.1200(g)(6)
Requirements for Reporting Health Hazard Information on a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) 1910.1200
Consumer Products that Contain Hazardous Chemicals. 1910.1020, 1910.1200
Worker protection for employees incinerating hazardous waste on cement plant property. 1910.119, 1910.120, 1910.1200
IDLH values. 1910.120, 1926.65
Information on temporary workers, particularly those in the electronic assembly industry. 1926.20, 1926.21, 1910.1200, 1926.59
Information on temporary workers in the electronic assembly industry and office workers. 1910.1200, 1926.59
Training requirements under the HAZWOPER standard. 1910.120