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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Filters


Date Title Standard Number
Appropriateness of using Mag-1 Eyewear eyeglass holders with full facepiece respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). 1910.134, 1910.134(g)(1), 1910.134(g)(1)(i), 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A), 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(B)
Update: OSHA Enforcement Policy for Occupational Exposure to Tuberculosis. 1910.134
Interpretation of the Personal Protective Equipment standard 1910.132, 1910.133, 1910.134, 1910.135, 1910.136, 1910.137, 1910.138
Response to IDLH or Potential IDLH atmospheres. 1910.134(g), 1910.120, 1910.156
OSHA tuberculosis (TB) enforcement. 1910.134
Employees in a cotton yarn manufacturing plant who voluntarily wear cloth over their mouths and noses to prevent lint from sticking to their skin. 1910.134, 1910.1043
Respirator use of spray operations involving paints containing isocyanates. 1910.134
Carbon Monoxide or High Temperature Alarm Requirement for Portable Breathing Air Compressors. 1910.134(i)(7)
Respirator Exhalation Valve Leakage. 1910.134
Breathing air: testing and carbon monoxide alarm. 1910.134(i)
Storage of flammable and/or combustible liquids. 1926.152, 1926.103, 1910.134
Use of the Racal "Breath-Easy 6" powered air purifying respirator with beards. 1910.134(g)(1)(i)
Pulmonary function testing training requirements and spirometer transmission of disease. 1910.134, 1910.134(c)(1)(ii), 1910.134(e), 1910.1001, 1910.1001(l)(1)(ii)(B), 1910.1028, 1910.1030(a), 1910.1043, 1910.1048
Respiratory protection as it relates to oil fields 1910.134
Hierarchy of air contaminant controls; respirators for emergencies. 1910.134(a)(1), 1910.134(d), 1910.38(a), 1910.120(q)(1), 1926.65(q)(1)
South Carolina's regulatory procedures for single-use respirators. 1910.134
Spray painting relating to vehicle maintenance operations. 1910.107, 1910.134, 1910.252, 1910.1000, 1910.1200, 1910.94
Hazwoper training in hospitals. 1910.120, 1910.120(q), 1910.1200, 1910.1047, 1910.1047(h), 1910.134, 1910.132
Training requirements of Hazwoper for various functions. 1910.120, 1910.120(e), 1910.120(p), 1910.120(q), 1910.120(q)(11)(i), 1910.120(q)(11)(ii), 1910.120(e)(9), 1910.120(f), 1910.120(f)(3), 1910.38, 1910.134, 1910.1200
Training required for emergency response at industrial facilities 1910.120, 1910.134