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
Emergency response training requirements for hospital staff. 1910.120
How the Exposure to Asbestos standard regulates activities that involve "thin-layered" asbestos-containing paint. 1926.1101
Concern over the quality of care given to patients by dentists. 1975.1
Request for Compliance Assistance on High Profile Case. 1910.147, 1910.169, 1910.218
Lack of public awareness of the limitations of eyewashes; review of new product, The Eye Irrigator(TM). 1910.133, 1910.151(c)
Citations for the wearing of short pants by employees engaged in hot tar and asphalt construction work. 1926.28, 1926.95
Applicability of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard for employees who work as companion-sitters in private homes. 1910.1030
OSHA's asbestos standard regulates working with materials containing less than 1 percent asbestos. 1926.1101(b), 1926.1101(f), 1926.1101(g)
Fall protection in a situation regarding floor/roofing openings. 1926.501, 1926.502
Suitable protective equipment. 1926.952, 1926.955
Powered industrial truck modifications and approval. 1910.178(a)(4)
Requirements for electrical wiring in supply and disposal function warehouses containing hazardous materials. 1910.38, 1910.106(d), 1910.106(e)(7), 1910.106(e)(7)(i)
The airflow rate required for a spray painting area. 1910.94(c), 1910.107, 1910.38, 1910.39
The government's handling of workers' reports of exposure to hazardous chemicals in the workplace. 1910.1200
Appropriate protective clothing for aircraft firefighting. 1910.120, 1910.156
OSHA standard for rung spacing on fixed industrial ladders and PPE in powered industrial vehicle battery changing. 1910.27, 1910.132(d), 1910.133
Disinfectants claiming efficacy against the Hepatitis B virus. 1910.1030
Employee safety and the laundering of contaminated clothing. 1910.1025
Additional Enforcement Policy Change for Respiratory Protection Required for Abrasive Blasting. 1910.134, 1926.62
Barrier device for attachment to mobile equipment. 1926.550