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.

NOTICE:

How to Request a Letter of Interpretation

Filters


Date Title Standard Number
Requirements of Mobile Ladder Stand Platforms Used to Access CNC Machines 1910.23, 1910.23(b), 1910.23(e), 1910.23(e)(1)(i), 1910.23(e)(2)(i), 1910.23(e)(3)(i), 1910.23(e)(3)(ii), 1910.23(e)(3)(iii), 1910.29(b)(3)
Fall Protection Requirements for Fixed Ladders 1910.23(b)(12), 1910.23(b)(13), 1910.28(b)(9), 1910.29(b), 1910.29(g)(3), 1910.29(g)(4)
Personal Fall Arrest System or Ladder Safety System on Fixed Ladders, and Fixed Ladders Used on Grain Silos for Emergency Escape 1910.23(a)(1), 1910.28(b)(9)(i)(B)
Ladder Grasp Requirements 1910.23(b)(12)
Inspection Guidance for Inpatient Healthcare Settings 1910.23, 1910.132, 1910.1030, 1910.1200, 1913.10
Spacing of the posts in between modular guardrail system sections. 1926.502(b)(3), 1910.23(e)(3)
Requirements for Guardrail systems 1910.23(e)(3), 1910.23(e)(3)(v), 1910.29(b)(5)
Guarding of Ladderway Floor Openings 1910.23
Clarification of OSHA requirements pertaining to winding stairway systems. 1910.23, 1910.23(d)(1), 1910.23(e)(1), 1910.23(e)(2), 1910.24, 1910.24(e), 1910.24(h)
Guarding of Access Openings to Fixed Ladders. 1910.23, 1910.23(a)(2), 1910.27
Grain handlers and engulfment hazards; procedures for unguarded sweep augers. 1910.23(a)(5), 1910.272, 1910.272(e)(2), 1910.272(g)(1)(ii), 1910.272(g)(2)
Compliance of stair and platform railings with height requirements in OSHA standards for fixed industrial stairs. 1910.23, 1910.23(e)
Guarding requirements for skylights and "grandfather" provisions for buildings constructed over twenty years ago. 1910.23, 1910.23(a)(4)
Alternative fall protection program when guardrails are infeasible to install. 1910.23, 1910.23(c)
Acceptability of slip on fittings on stair rails and requirement for stair rails to be smooth surfaced. 1910.23, 1910.23(e)(1)
Conditions under which a stair railing can also serve as a handrail. 1910.23(e)(1), 1910.23(e)(2), 1910.23(e)(5)(ii)
Acceptability of a fixed ramp with a one-in-four slope on an industrial conveyor. 1910.23, 1910.132
Center stair rail requirements for fixed industrial stairs greater than 88 inches wide. 1910.23(d)(1)(v)
Fall protection requirements when working from ladders in the telecommunications industry 1910.21(b), 1910.23(a)(2), 1910.23(c)(1), 1910.23(c)(3), 1910.27(b)(1), 1910.27(c)(3), 1910.27(c)(7), 1910.27(d)(2), 1910.27(d)(3), 1910.27(d)(4), 1910.132(a)
Top rail and handrail requirements for stairrail systems under the construction standards. 1910.23(e)(1), 1910.24(h), 1926.1052, 1926.1052(c)(6), 1926.1052(c)(7), 1926.1052(c)