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
Evaluating Hazardous Levels of Accumulation Depth for Combustible Dusts 1910.22, 1910.22(a)(1), 1910.22(a)(2), 1910.176, 1910.176(c)
Permanent Places of Employment 1910.22
Policy on posting of floor load capacity signs. 1910.22, 1910.22(d)
Installation and use of doormats; adhering edges to concrete surfaces. 1910.22(a)(1)
Static coefficients of friction for walking/working surfaces. 1910.22
Employee Emergency Plans and Fire Prevention standard;Portable Fire Extinguishers standard; Electrical Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution standard. 1910.22, 1910.38, 1910.157, 1910.180, 1910.269
Definition of a "floor," "building official," and "plates of approved design." 1910.22, 1910.22(d)
Wet floors due to weather conditions or the entry of vehicles containing melting snow. 1910.22
Permanent handrail on platform inside a chimney or silo 1910.22(b)(4), 1910.23(a)(8)
Interim enforcement procedures for AIDS, Hepatitis B, and other blood-borne infectious diseases. 1910.132, 1910.22(a)(1), 1910.141(a)(4)(ii), 1910.145
Standard applicable to two point suspension scaffolds and power platforms used in window cleaning and to hazards in refrigeration plants. 1910.28, 1910.66, 1910.22, 1910.38, 1910.95, 1910.101, 1910.111, 1910.151, 1910.212, 1910.39
Standard applicable to control of dust explosions in powdered milk production. 1910.22, 1910.301
Requirements that all walking and working surfaces be kept clean, orderly, and in a sanitary condition. 1910.22
De minimis provision for Floor Loading Protection 1910.22(d)(1)
Aisles and Passageways. 1910.22
Floor Loading Signs. 1910.22
Requirements that emergency lighting be provided in the OSHA standards. 1910.22
Lessor and lessee responsibities for posting floor load limits. 1910.22(d)
Marking and width requirements for aisles in industrial operations. 1910.22(b)