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
Inspection Guidance for Animal Slaughtering and Processing Establishments 1903.8, 1904, 1910 Subpart E, 1910.95, 1910.111, 1910.119, 1910.132, 1910.141, 1910.147, 1910.212, 1910.1000, 1910.1200, 1913.10
Emergency eyewash protection when exposed to 0.1 percent or greater formaldehyde 1910.1048, 1910.1048(i)(2), 1910.1048(i)(3), 1910.1048(m)(1)(i), 1910.1048(m)(1)(ii), 1910.1048(m)(1)(iv), 1910.1200
HCS applicability to an industrial marker containing liquid paint or ink 1910.1200, 1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(f), 1910.1200(g)
Exclusion of arsenic-treated wood from OSHA's Inorganic Arsenic standard 1910.1018, 1910.1018(a), 1910.1200, 1926.1118, 1926.1126
Applicability of the HCS to Lithium Ion Batteries 1910.1200, 1910.1200(b)(1), 1910.1200(b)(5)(v), 1910.1200(b)(6)(v), 1910.1200(b)(6)(ix), 1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(d)(1)
Transmitting bulk shipment labels by technological or other means 1910.1200, 1910.1200(f), 1910.1200(f)(1), 1910.1200(f)(6), 1910.1200(f)(7)
Single HCS Compliant Shipping Label that includes DOT and/or State Requirements 1910.1200(f)(1), 1910.1200(f)(3), 1910.1200 App C
Use of generic safety data sheets and consumer products 1910.1200(b)(6)(ix), 1910.1200(g), 1910.1200(g)(4)
Coverage of lithium-ion batteries under the Hazard Communication standard 1910.1200, 1910.1200(b)(1), 1910.1200(b)(5)(v), 1910.1200(b)(6)(v), 1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(d)(1)
Classifying cloth-like wipes saturated with a hazardous solution under OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard 1910.1200(b)(1), 1910.1200(b)(2), 1910.1200(d)(1)
HCS compliant labeling of outer and inner packaging 1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(f)(1)
HCS listing of occupational exposure limits (OELs) in section 8 on a safety data sheet (SDS), and applicability of different exposures to pharmaceutical drugs 1910.1200(b)(6)(vii), 1910.1200(g)(2)(viii)
OSHA standards applicable to medical and safety uses of pure nitrogen gas 1910.101, 1910.1200, 1910.1450
Clarification to the disclosure of chemical ingredients in SDS sections 3 and 8 1910.1200, 1910.1200(g)(2)(iii), 1910.1200(g)(2)(viii)
Precautionary statements in Hazard Communication standard 1910.1200, 1910.1200 App C
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