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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Date	Title	Standard Number
03/29/2004	Compliance of type SJTW flexible cords with 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(J) and use on construction sites.	1926.405, 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(J)
03/29/2004	Fit testing is not required for employees not exposed to a hazardous atmosphere and not required to wear a respirator.	1910.134, 1910.134(f)
03/25/2004	Fall protection requirements for pump jack scaffold railings.	1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(1), 1926.451(g)(2), 1926.451(g)(4), 1926.452(j)
03/25/2004	Use of laser guarding devices for hydraulic press brakes	1910.212, 1910.212(a)
03/12/2004	OSHA has no standards prohibiting pets in the workplace.
03/12/2004	Fall protection during roofing inspections, investigations, and assessments	1926.500(a), 1926.501(b)(10), 1926.502(f)(2)
03/11/2004	Prohibition of installation of sheer connectors and pour-stop angles to top flange of steel steel beams prior to decking.	1926.754(c), 1926.754(c)(1), 1926.754(c)(1)(i)
03/10/2004	Height to base width ratio for mobile scaffolds with/without outriggers.	1926.451(c)(1), 1926.452(w)(6), 1926.452(w)(6)(ii), 1926.452(w)(6)(iii)
03/10/2004	Use of caution tape or rope to barricade a crane's swing radius; guarding of lug connectors on portable welders	1926.550(a)(9), 1926.403(a), 1926.403(i)(2)(i)
03/10/2004	Fall protection and controlled access zones for overhand bricklaying	1926.501(b)(9), 1926.502(g), 1926.502(g)(3), 1926.502(g)(2), 1926.501(b)(4)
03/10/2004	Fall protection is not required where there is no feasible means of providing it while working on vehicles or trailers.	1926.500, 1926.501(b)(1), 1926.95(a)
03/10/2004	Use of personal fall arrest systems at the edge of a well, pit, shaft, or similar excavation.	1926.501, 1926.501(b)(7)(ii)
03/09/2004	Requirements for reverse signal alarms for vehicles with obstructed views to the rear.	1910.269, 1910.269(p)(1)(ii)(A), 1910.269(p)(1)(ii)(B)
03/09/2004	Lock out/Tag out periodic inspection requirements.	1910.147, 1910.147(c)(6), 1910.147(c)(6)(i), 1910.147(c)(6)(i)(B), 1910.147(c)(6)(i)(C), 1910.147(c)(6)(i)(D), 1910.147(c)(7)(iii), 1910.147(c)(7)(iv)
03/04/2004	Wire rope clips on suspension scaffolds; safety latches on large crane hooks; order of assembly for hanging scaffolds; and horizontal lifeline design.	1926.502(d)(8), 1926.502(b), 1926.251(c), 1926.760(d), 1926.502(d)(14), 1926.451(a), 1926.451(b), 1926.451(f), 1926.251(a)(4), 1926.451(d)(12), 1926.550(g)(4)(iv)(B), 1926.753(d), 1926.550(g), 1926.502(d)(15)
03/04/2004	Requirement and design of fire-resistant barriers for oxygen and fuel-gas cylinders.	1926.350, 1926.350(a)(10)
03/04/2004	Recording criteria for recordkeeping cases involving occupational hearing loss.	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.10(b)(4), 1910.95(m)(2)
03/01/2004	The predominant use of structural steel would not be considered "residential construction"	1926.501(b)(13), 1926.502(k)
03/01/2004	Training for telecommunications employees must be "appropriate" for worksites and job tasks.	1910.268, 1910.268(c)(1), 1910.268(c)(2), 1910.268(c)(3)
02/26/2004	Portable ladders not extending 3 feet above upper landing must be secured.	1926.1053, 1926.1053(b)(1)