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
Ladder safety requirements for towers more than 20 feet in length: sliding fall protection devices, safety cages/wells, landing platform intervals. 1910.27, 1910.27(d)(5), 1910.27(d)(1)(ii), 1910.27(d)(2), 1910.23
Additional fall protection requirements for concrete trucks when work platforms are equipped with guardrails and toeboards. 1910.21, 1910.21(a)(1), 1910.23, 1910.23(c)(1), 1926.500(b)
OSHA Guidance concerning use of clip on products for ladders to facilitate transport of the ladder or other objects. 1926.1053(b)(4), 1926.1053(b)(3), 1910.23
Open roof hatches should be protected; grab bars not required at hatch exits. 1910.27(c)(7), 1910.23
Stair rail height must be between 30-34 inches. 1910.24(h), 1910.23(e)(2)
OSHA requires fall protection for elevator work when a fall hazard is present. 1910.23
Clarification of apparent discrepancy in height requirements for stair and hand railings. 1910.23(e)(2), 1926.1052
Workers must be protected from hazards of heated (hot) surfaces. 1910.261(k)(11), 1910.262(c)(9), 1910.23(c)(3), 1910.147, 1910.132(a)
General Industry Standard as it applies to the electric utility industry. 1910.23, 1910.269
Fall Protection requirements in the Construction Standard. 1910 - Table of Contents, 1910.23, 1926 - Table of Contents
Spacing requirements between two handrails. 1910.23
Use of toeboards to protect a floor hole and variations in riser heights for stairs. 1910.23, 1910.24
Conveyor Crossover Stile. 1905.10, 1905.11, 1905.12, 1905.13, 1905.14, 1905.15, 1905.16, 1910.23, 1910.27
Portable ladders. 1910.21, 1910.21(e)(2), 1910.23(c)(14), 1910.32(b)(5), 1926.500, 1926.1050, 1926.1053(b), 1926.1053(b)(5)(i), 1926 Subpart L
OSHA's requirements for locking type snaphooks on pole strap systems 1910.23, 1910.67, 1910.269, 1926.502, 1926.556, 1926.959
Ramps: guarding and means of access to a higher elevation. 1910.23, 1926.1051
Fall protection for an extendable gangway. 1910.23(c)
Handrail and railing clearance for runways (hangar catwalks). 1910.23(e)(6)
Interpretation Regarding Guardrails Proposed for Coors Stadium. 1910.23, 1910.28
Hatch Net 120 fall protection system 1910.23(a)(3), 1910.23(a)(8), 1918.31, 1926.501(b)(4)