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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How to Request a Letter of Interpretation

Date	Title	Standard Number
03/03/1994	Mechanical equipment, such as an unguarded agitator, posing a hazard within a permit space must be locked out or tagged.	1910.146, 1910.147
02/25/1994	Capping of Rebar to Prevent Impalement (OSHA 2202).
02/23/1994	Storage of flammable and/or combustible liquids.	1926.152, 1926.103, 1910.134
02/23/1994	Safety procedures associated with the use of wheel or track propelled excavators.	1926.21(b)(2)
02/22/1994	Incidents involving hospitalization of multiple employees.	1904.8
02/18/1994	ANSI standard requires Safety-Toe safety shoes meet a compression test and an impact test.	1910.136
02/17/1994	Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provisions.	1910.1200
02/16/1994	Testing ground fault circuit interrupters.	1926.505
02/15/1994	Recording TB related cases on the OSHA 200 Log.	1904 - Table of Contents
02/15/1994	Remote distance, close proximity and other PSM questions.	1910.119
02/14/1994	Recording of hearing loss on the OSHA Log 200.
02/11/1994	Physician vs employee on the employee's ability to perform restricted work activity.	1904 - Table of Contents
02/11/1994	Restricted work definitions.	1904 - Table of Contents
02/10/1994	Application of 29 CFR 1926.51(f)	1926.51
02/10/1994	Clarification of several recordkeeping issues.	1904 - Table of Contents
02/10/1994	Use of synthetic fiber slings.	1926.251
02/09/1994	Interpretation of the term "in near proximity".	1910.151(b)
02/09/1994	Labeling provisions.	1910.1200
02/09/1994	OSHA's lockout/tagout standard is not applicable to maritime employment.	1910.147
02/08/1994	Operation of a crane in close proximity to overhead power lines.	1910.137, 1926.550(a)(15)