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 Standard Number
Ear plug personal fit-testing systems that measure real-time noise reduction 5 1910.95 - Index, 1910.95(i)(4), 1910.95(i)(5), 1910.95(j)(1), 1910.95 App B - Index
Interim Enforcement Guidance for the Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction Standard, 29 CFR 1926.1153 15 1910.134, 1910.1053, 1910.1200, 1926.1153, 1926.1153(c), 1926.1153(c)(1), 1926.1153(d), 1926.1153(d)(1), 1926.1153(d)(2), 1926.1153(d)(2)(iii)(B), 1926.1153(d)(2)(iii)(E), 1926.1153(d)(2)(v), 1926.1153(d)(3), 1926.1153(e)(1)(ii)(C), 1926.1153(i)(2)
Occupational noise exposure training requirements for technicians 1 1910.95(g)(3)
What constitutes an emergency response or incidental release of anhydrous ammonia 5 1910.38, 1910.119, 1910.120, 1910.120(q), 1910.1200
Launch of Enforcement of the Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction Standard 1 1926.1153
Determining if the employees experienced an injury or illness due to an exposure. 3 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7(b)(7), 1904.46
Gate Strength of Snaphooks and Carabiners 8 1910.140(c)(8), 1910.30(a)(2), 1910.21(b), 1910 Subpart D, 1910 Subpart I, 1926.32(f), 1926.32(m), 1926.503(a)(2)
NATE Response FINAL 18 1910 - Table of Contents, 1910.27(b)(2)(i), 1910.140(c)(13)(i), 1910 Subpart D, 1910 Subpart I, 1910.30, 1910.268, 1926 Subpart M, 1910.268(c), 1926.503, 1926.503(a)(2), 1926.503(c), 1910.30(a), 1910.268(a)(1), 1910.28(b)(9)(i)(A), 1910.140(c)(13)(ii), 1910.140(c)(8), 1910.28(a)(2)(ii)
Asbestos Standard – Class III Work 3 1926.1101 - Index, 1926.1101(g)(9), 1926.1101(g)(11)
Use of trade secret in lieu of known ingredient percentages on SDSs 2 1910.1200, 1910.1200(i)
Clarification on the use of ingredient percentage and trade secret on SDSs 2 1910.1200 - Index, 1910.1200(i)
Listing and disclosing Benzene as a human carcinogen on the label and SDS 7 1910.1200(f), 1910.1200(f)(1), 1910.1200(g), 1910.1200(g)(1), 1910.1200 App A - Index, 1910.1200 App C - Index, 1910.1200 App D - Index
Hooded versus tight-fitting respirators when complying with the Asbestos Standard 6 1910.134(d), 1910.134(d)(3), 1926.1101(g), 1926.1101(g)(9), 1926.1101(h), 1926.1101(h)(3)
Monorail Hoists Enforcement Policies 2 1926 Subpart CC, 1926.1400(a)
Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection Systems) 7 1910.21(b), 1910.28, 1910.28(b)(9), 1910.28(b)(10)(ii), 1910.29(h), 1910.140(c), 1910.140(d)
Bloodborne Pathogens Post-Exposure Evaluation and Follow-up for Emergency Response Employees 1 1910.1030(f)(3)
Labeling of Secondary Containers 1 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii)
Mandatory annual blood work requirements in OSHA's Respiratory Protection and Ethylene Oxide standards 7 1910.134(e), 1910.134(e)(3), 1910.134(e)(6)(i)(B), 1910.1047(i), 1910.1047(i)(2)(i)(B), 1910.1047(i)(2)(i)(D), 1910.1047(i)(2)(ii)(A)
Insert Earphones for Audiometric Testing 2 1910.95 - Index, 1910.95 App D - Index
Guarding of edges in marine terminals 1 1917.112