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
Guarding requirements and options for packaging and pelletizing machines. 1910.212(a)(1)
Guarding/hazards of using woodcutting sawblades on a cut-off machine 1910.243(a)(1)(i), 1910.212, 1910.213(r)(4)
OSHA enforcement policy on vertical food mixers. 1910.263, 1910.212(a)(1), 1910.212(a)(3)(ii), 1910.147, 1910.147(a)(2)(ii)(A), 1910.147(a)(2)(ii)(B), 1910.147(a)(2)(iii)(A), 1910.305(g)
Requirements for machine guarding of screw machines. 1910.212(a)
Machine anchoring requirements as it may apply to the dental polishing lathes. 1910.212
Clarification of employers' use of floor fans. 1910.212
Machine Guarding Standard. 1910.212, 1910.217
The adequate guarding of a process pump. 1910.212
Machine-guarding requirements 1910.212
Standard 1910.212 in regards to its applicability to guard an area above the ram/piston on a vertical hydraulic downstroke/trash compactor. 1910.212, 1910.212(a)(3), 1910.212(a)(3)(ii)
"Eyelet" and "four-slide" machines are covered by 1910.212. 1910.212
Applicability of the Machine Guarding and Lockout/Tagout standards to printing presses 1910.147, 1910.212, 1910.219
Machine guarding requirements as it applies to centrifuges. 1910.212
Tabletop centrifuges designed for use in physician offices and laboratories. 1910.212
Interlock requirements for centrifuges. 1910.212
Compliance policy on unguarded rotary knives used in poultry processing industries 1910.212
Printing Presses: requirements for normal production and servicing operations 1910.147, 1910.212, 1910.219
Presence Sensing Palm Button Devices (PSPBD). 1910.212(a)(3)(ii), 1910.7
Are Seybolt Cutter subject to machine guarding requirements. 1910.212
Whether or not guards are required for fan blades on an electrical transformer. 1910.212