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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How to Request a Letter of Interpretation

Date	Title	Standard Number
06/24/1987	IARC listing of boot and shoe manufacturing and repair as an occupation associated with cancer in humans	1910.1200
06/11/1987	HMIS for meeting labeling requirements of the HCS.	1910.1200(f)
06/01/1987	Labeling of Lead Chromate Under the Hazard Communication Standard	1910.1200(f)
05/21/1987	HMIS use in meeting the in-plant labeling requirements of the HCS.	1910.1200(f)
05/04/1987	Evaluation of labeling system which was designed to meet the requirements of the HCS.	1910.1200(f)
02/11/1987	Information on Hydro Carbide Tungsten, otherwise known as cemented tungsten carbide with colbalt binder.	1910.120
02/01/1987	Interpretation on requirements for opening drums in a safe manner.	1910.120(j)
01/20/1987	Clarification of the terms "appropriate hazard warning" and "mandatory".	1910.1200(f), 1910.1200(d)(2)
11/25/1986	Interpretation given in the Federal Register on December 20, 1985 describing mild petroleum hydrotreatment is appropriate.	1910.1200
11/10/1986	Requirements for target organ effects on labels under the Hazard Communication standard.	1910.1200
11/03/1986	Information on Polychlorobiphenyls (PCB's) in Ceiling Tiles	1910.1000 TABLE Z-1, 1910.120
10/25/1986	Interpretation on availability of emergency information under the Hazard Communication Standard.	1910.1200(g)(2)(xii)
10/15/1986	Target organ labeling requirements for shipped containers.	1910.1200(f)(5)(ii)
10/02/1986	High speed cobalt steel drill bits evaluated as a "article" under the Hazard Communication Standard.	1910.1200
09/26/1986	General information related to the Hazard Communication standard.	1910.1200
09/16/1986	Hazard Communication Standard as it applies to wholesalers and distributors of hazardous chemicals.	1910.1200
09/09/1986	Labeling of Formaldehyde-Containing Products Under the Hazard Communication Standard	1910.1200(f)
08/18/1986	Requirements for listing multiple exposure limits on MSDSs under the HCS.	1910.1200
08/13/1986	Explanation of HCS labeling requirements to the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers.	1910.1200(f)
08/11/1986	Labeling requirements for bulk shipments of metallic scrap under the HCS.	1910.1200(f), 1910.1200(f)(2)