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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How to Request a Letter of Interpretation

Filters


Date Title Standard Number
Over-the-road vehicle operator required response to a large release. 1910.120, 1910.120(q), 1910.120(q)(1), 1910.38
OSHA's Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. 1910.120, 1910.120(a)(1), 1910.120(q)(1), 1910.38, 1910.120(q)
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
Employee evacuation in the event of imminent Natural Phenomenon. 1910.38, 1910.120, 1910.120(a)(1)(v), 1910.120(q)(1), 1910.120(q)(6)
Emergency response in the trucking industry 1910.120, 1910.1200, 1910.120(q)(1), 1910.120(q)(3)(vii), 1910.120(q)(3)(iv), 1910.120(q)(6), 1910.38, 1910.1200(h)
Application of the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response to general industry. 1910.38, 1910.120
Employee emergency alarm systems. 1910.165, 1910.165(b)(2), 1910.165(b)(3), 1910.165(b)(4), 1910.165(c)(1), 1910.165(d)(3), 1910.164(d)(4), 1910.38, 1919.120(l), 1910.120(q), 1910.7
Hazwoper's application to general industry. 1910.38(a), 1910.120
Fire brigades and portable fire extinguishers standards. 1910.156, 1910.38, 1910.39
Clarification of whether employee emergency action or fire prevention plans need to be in written form 1910.38, 1910.39, 1910.38(b), 1910.39(b)
Application of OSHA's final standard for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. 1910.120, 1910.120(b), 1910.120(c), 1910.120(d), 1910.120(e), 1910.120(f), 1910.120(h), 1910.120(i), 1910.120(j), 1910.120(k), 1910.120(l), 1910.120(m), 1910.120(n), 1910.120(o), 1910.120(a), 1910.120(q)(5), 1910.120(q)(11), 1910.38
Plans are required for EtO emergency situations and must be written in accordance with 1910.38 and 1910.39. 1910.1047, 1910.1047(h)(1), 1910.1047(h)(1)(iii), 1910.38, 1910.165
Means of alerting employees during EtO emergency situations in hospitals;direct voice communication may be used to warn employees during an EtO emergency. 1910.1047, 1910.1047(h)(2), 1910.165, 1910.38, 1910.39
Fire equipment training requirements. 1910.157, 1910.157(a), 1910.157(b), 1910.38, 1910.39
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
OSHA's Fire Protection Standard. 1910.38
Clarification of Fire Protection, Exit Routes, and Hazardous Material Standards. 1910.38, 1910.157, 1910.38(e), 1910.157(g)(1)
Fire detection and employee alarm systems. 1910.160, 1910.160(b)(3), 1910.160(b)(13), 1910.161, 1910.161(b)(3), 1910.37, 1910.37(e), 1910.38, 1910.38(d)