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
Requirements for being designated a competent person under Part 1926 Subpart L (Scaffolds). 1926.450(b), 1926.451(f)(7), 1926 Subpart L
OSHA regulations and accident investigation procedures pertaining to carnivals, amusement parks and water parks. 1975.3
Installation and use of doormats; adhering edges to concrete surfaces. 1910.22(a)(1)
Alternative procedures under STD 3-0.1A for employees performing roofing work on roof slopes of 6 in 12 or less during residential construction. 1926.501(b)(13)
Definition of contaminated sharps; engineering controls and good work practice controls must be implemented; ECP must be reviewed annually. 1910.1030(b), 1910.1030(c)(1), 1910.1030(d)(2)(i)
Center stair rail requirements for fixed industrial stairs greater than 88 inches wide. 1910.23(d)(1)(v)
Fall protection requirements when working from ladders in the telecommunications industry 1910.21(b), 1910.23(a)(2), 1910.23(c)(1), 1910.23(c)(3), 1910.27(b)(1), 1910.27(c)(3), 1910.27(c)(7), 1910.27(d)(2), 1910.27(d)(3), 1910.27(d)(4), 1910.132(a)
Prohibitions and/or restrictions on aggressive methods for removing asbestos-containing mastic from floors. 1926.1101, 1926.1101(b), 1926.1101(g)(8)(i), 1926.1101(g)(8)(i)(D), 1926.1101(g)(8)(vi)
Coverage of volunteers; forklift operator training for multiple facilities determined by similarity of potential workplace hazards. 1910.178(l), 1910.178(l)(1), 1910.178(l)(3), 1975.4(h)(4)
Requirements for leaving construction equipment and powder-actuated tools unattended on a construction building site; impalement protection from reinforcing steel for masonry workers on a scaffold. 1910.178(m)(5), 1910.178(m)(5)(ii), 1910.178(m)(5)(iii), 1926.302, 1926.302(e), 1926.302(e)(6), 1926.600, 1926.600(a)(3), 1926.600(a)(3)(i), 1926.600(a)(3)(ii), 1926.701(b), 1926.702(a), 1926.702(b)
Whether there is a conflict between provisions in 1926.451 regarding the use of screening. 1926.451, 1926.451(a), 1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(1), 1926.451(g)(2), 1926.451(g)(2)(iii), 1926.451(g)(4), 1926.451(g)(4)(ix), 1926.451(g)(4)(v), 1926.451(g)(4)(vii), 1926.451(g)(4)(viii), 1926.451(h), 1926.451(h)(1), 1926.451(h)(2)
Under Subpart M, whether a lanyard may be connected to another lanyard by a snaphook, provided the potential fall distance is six feet or less. 1926.500(b), 1926.502(d)(6)
Hazardous energy control lockout/tagout (LOTO) program documentation and certification requirements. 1910.147(c), 1910.147(c)(4), 1910.147(c)(5), 1910.147(c)(6), 1910.147(c)(7), 1910.147(c)(7)(iv)
Requirements for maintaining Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for coal including coal dust, fly ash, and silica dust. 1910.1000 TABLE Z-1, 1910.1000 TABLE Z-3, 1910.1200, 1910.1200(d), 1910.1200(g)
Lock out/Tag out (LOTO) requirements for die-setting operations in hydraulic power presses. 1910.212(a)(3)(ii), 1910.217, 1910.217(d)(9)(iv), 1910.147, 1910.147(a)(2)(ii), 1910.147(b), 1910.147(d), 1910.147(f)(1)
Requirements for maintaining material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for consumer art products and office cleaning products. 1910.1200, 1910.1200(b)(6)(ix)
Scaffolding/shoring 1926.451(g)(2), 1926.500, 1926.500(a)(2), 1926.501(b)(1), 1926.501(b)(14), 1926.501(d)(15), 1926.700(b)(2), 1926.1050(b), 1926.1051(a)
Use of 2"x6" No 2 pine boards as a scaffold platform; application of 1926.451(a) and 1926.451(f)(16) when erecting and dismantling scaffolds. 1926.451(a), 1926.451(f)(16), 1926.451(a)(6), 1926.451(b)(1), 1926.451(b)(1)(i), 1926.451(b)(2), 1926.450(a), 1926.451(f)(7), 1926.450(b)
Whether a safety factor must be incorporated into the design of footings for supported scaffolds. 1926.451(a)(6), 1926.451(c)(2)(i)
Whether scaffold components may be loaded in excess of minimum load ratings specified in 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart L; whether a safety factor must be added to such load ratings; Non-Mandatory Appendix A. 1926.451, 1926.451(a)(1), 1926.451(a)(6), 1926.451(f)(1), 1926.451(g)(4), 1926.451(g)(4)(vii), 1926.451(g)(4)(ix), 1926.451(h)(4)(i)