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
Fall Protection. 1926.502(k)
No scaffold shall be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered except under the supervision of competent persons. 1926.20, 1926.451
Ironworkers involved in steel erection activities must be protected from falls. 1926.501
Fall Protection Standards. 1926.501(b)(5)
Seat belts for excavators. 1926.602
OSHA's new fall protection standards for construction will prohibit use of safety belts with side dee rings as part of a personal fall arrest system 1926.500, 1926.501, 1926.502, 1926.503
OSHA's New Fall Protection Standard for the Construction Industry. 1926.500, 1926.451(g), 1926.451(h)
Clarification of the Process Safety Management standard with regard to material and energy balances. 1910.119
Requesting OSHA to comment on the Scaffold Industry Association testing procedures to determine fall arrest tie-off locations. 1926 Subpart L
Review of a new product, "The Safety Boot". 1926.500, 1926.501, 1926.502, 1926.503
Use of explosion proof certified equipment inside of pipes and manholes. 1910.146, 1910.307, 1926.651
Proposed standard for workplace exposure to tuberculosis.
Appropriateness of using Mag-1 Eyewear eyeglass holders with full facepiece respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). 1910.134, 1910.134(g)(1), 1910.134(g)(1)(i), 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A), 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(B)
Suggested state regulations for control of radiation. 1910.1096
Comments concerning tying off on aerial lifts. 1926.556
Certain provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) lockout/tagout standard. 1910.147
Comments on Variance Application Number 2293. 1905.11, 1910.179, 1910.180, 1910.184
Letter requesting that OSHA exempt animal feed ingredients from the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1200, the Hazard Communication Standard. 1910.1200
Three scenarios and questions regarding on-site natural gas in pipe lines used as a fuel and as a feed stock. 1910.119
The term "interconnection" as it would apply to utilities, steam and electric, used in a covered process. 1910.119