Letters of Interpretation | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

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
05/27/2016	Exposure to noise during the use of high-velocity dryer nozzles in pet grooming salons	1910.95
05/10/2016	Definition of a "physician" under 29 CFR 1910.95 and what credentials would qualify a person to perform the duties that are specifically ascribed to physicians by the standard	1910.95(g)(3), 1910.95(g)(9)
10/28/2015	Inspection Guidance for Poultry Slaughtering and Poultry Processing Establishments	1904 - Table of Contents, 1910 Subpart E, 1910.95, 1910.119, 1910.132, 1910.141, 1910.147, 1910.212, 1910.1200, 1913.10
09/02/2014	Occupational Noise Exposure - The use of hearing aids as hearing protection devices.	1910.95(j)(1)
04/01/2014	Applicability of Certain OSHA Standards to Cabin Crew Members on Aircraft in Operation	1910.95, 1910.1030, 1910.1200
03/11/2013	Audiometric testing using insert earphones	1910.95(g)
10/12/2012	Audiograms to Retest Hearing for Threshold Shifts	1910.95
03/08/2011	Clarification on whether a successor employer may establish a new baseline audiogram for employees of the former employer.	1910.95, 1910.95(g)(9), 1910.95(m)(5), 1910.95(h), 1904.34, 1904.10(a)
01/31/2011	Can an employer establish a new baseline audiogram for an employee who was previously enrolled in the employer's hearing conservation program.	1910.95
04/23/2010	Whether use of an artificial ear ISO 318 coupler complies with the noise standard.	1910.95, 1910.95(h)(5), 1910.95(h)(5)(ii)
12/05/2008	Whether employers have the option to establish new baseline audiograms when business ownership changes, but medical records are maintained for 30 years.	1910.95(g)(5), 1910.95(g)(9)(i), 1910.95(g)(9)(ii), 1910.95(m)(5)
12/21/2007	Clarification of OSHA's requirement for 'quiet time' before audiometric testing.	1910.95, 1910.95(g)(5)(iii)
08/29/2007	Clarification of 1910.95 and 1904 regarding physicians and audiologists roles in determining work-relatedness of worker hearing loss.	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5, 1904.10, 1910.95
03/07/2007	Administering the baseline audiogram either before or after an employee's first exposure.	1910.95, 1910.95(g)(5)(i)
11/30/2006	Clarification of use of the annual audiogram in place of the baseline.	1910.95, 1910.95(g)(9)
02/10/2006	Clarification on revising a baseline audiogram if a standard threshold shift occurs in only one ear.	1910.95, 1910.95(g)(9)
09/09/2005	Revising baseline audiogram when there is a standard threshold shift in only one ear.	1910.95(g)(9)(i), 1910.95(g)(10)
02/14/2005	Frequency of evaluating audiometric testing rooms to meet the specifications in Appendix D of the Occupational Noise standard.	1910.95(h)(4), 1910.95 App D
02/08/2005	Audiometric baseline revisions in employee rehire situations.	1910.95
08/03/2004	Application of the Occupational Noise standard to employees who are deaf or have a diminished capacity to hear.	1910.95, 1910.95(b)(1), 1910.95(i)(2)