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

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Date Title Standard Number
Application of OSHA's Amended Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012) to Combustible Dust (1910.1200)] 1910.1200
Clarification of a pre-existing injury or illness and recordable events 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5, 1904.7
Clarification of Multiple Business Establishments and Covered Employees 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.30
Field extraction procedure for isocyanate air samples 1910.1000
Specifying decontamination disinfectants and procedures 1910.1030(d)(2)
Classification of Combustible Dusts under the Revised Hazard Communication Standard. [1910.1200; 1910.1200(d)] 1910.1200(d), 1910.1200
Application of 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S to design of industrial machinery 1910 Subpart S, 1910.303(a), 1910.399
Employer Personal Protective Equipment Workplace Hazard Assessment For Footwear 1910.132(d)(1), 1910.132(h)(2), 1910.136(a), 1910.136(b)(1)
Weight of the scaffold in determining whether the 4 to 1 factor is satisfied in construction and general industry standards 1926.450, 1926.451(a)(1), 1910.27(a)
Interim Guidance on Enforcement of the revised Hazard Communication Standard 1910.1200(j)(1), 1910.1200(h), 1910.1200(h)(3)(iv)
Clarification of "as soon as feasible" when conducting post exposure evaluations 1910.1030(f)(3)
Regarding the type of hook that is permitted when a crane is used to hoist personnel during underground construction work 1926.1431(g)(1), 1926.800(t)(1)(vii)
Expanded Targeting of Establishments Under the Lead NEP
List in SDS section 3 when the classification is based on mixture data 1910.1200(d)(3)(i)
APF for the combination pressure-demand, full-facepiece SAR with auxiliary SCBA 1910.134, 1910.134(d)(3)(i)(A)
Whether a tower crane boom or counterweight may be used over public streets or occupied buildings 1926.1425(c), 1926.1417(p)
Unintended disposal of blood-contaminated hospital linens by laundries 1910.1030(d)(4)(iv)
Release of employee exposure and medical records to persons other than the employee 1910.1020, 1910.1020(a), 1910.1020(b)(1), 1910.1020(c)(3), 1910.1020(e)(2), 1913.10
Labels on ampoules 5mL or smaller 1910.1200(f)(1)
Regarding use of compressed gas cylinders while in a horizontal position 1926.350(a)(9)