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
Enforcement of minimum approach distance requirements in 29 CFR 1910.269 and 29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart V 1910.269, 1910.269(a)(3), 1910.269(l)(3), 1926.960, 1926.960(c)(1)
Determining if a work-related injury or illness resulted in restricted work activity/Job Transfer 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7(b)(4)
Interim Enforcement Procedures for New Recordkeeping Requirements Under 29 CFR 1904.35 1904.35, 1904.41
OSHA requirements for smoke plume generated from laser and electrosurgical instruments in dental offices and hospital operating rooms 1910.132, 1910.134, 1910.1000
Clarifications to CPL 02-02-079, Inspection Procedures for the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012) 1910.1200
Electronic Posting of the Occupational Noise Exposure Standard 1910.95, 1910.95(l)(1)
Evaluating the work-relationship of an injury or illness 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5(b)(3)
Clarification on the use of preventative exercise as an intervention strategy 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7(b)(5)
Regarding construction work in water storage tanks and Permit-required confined space requirements in construction. 1926.1202, 1926.1204, 1926.1209(d), 1926.1211(a)
Determining if the work-related injury or illness would apply to the work-related exception 1904.5(b)(2)(ii) 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5
Clarification on how the formula is used by OSHA to calculate incident rates 1904 - Table of Contents
Determining work-related injuries for accidents that occur on a public road or highway 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5
HCS 2012 labeling of refrigerant containers 1910.1200, 1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(b)(4), 1910.1200(f)(1), 1910.1200(f)(5), 1910.1200(f)(6)
Fall protection requirements for a walking/working surface above a catch platform with a guardrail system 1926.500(b)(1)
Labeling refrigerant cylinders 1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(f)(1), 1910.1200(f)
Application of construction crane standard when handling precast components 1926.1400(c)(17)(i)
Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals and Covered Concentrations of Listed Appendix A Chemicals 1910.119
Container labeling requirements for importer under HCS 2012 1910.1200, 1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(f)(1)
Use of Zip Ties As An Additional Means of Control for Tagout under 1910.269(d) 1910.269(d)(2), 1910.269(d)(3), 1910.269(d)(6)
Whether handling of stones for foundation work is considered a construction activity; Clarification of whether a crane can be derated based on the load being lifted. 1926.32(g), 1926.1441