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.

NOTICE:

How to Request a Letter of Interpretation

Filters


Date Title Standard Number
Doctors required to wear gloves while fitting patients with contact lenses. 1910.1030
Flash point of cleaning solvents for spray finishing equipment 1910.107(g)(5)
Confined spaces: use of rescue-type SCBAs; maintenance vs. construction 1910.146(c), 1910.146(d), 1910.12(b), 1926.21(b)(6)
Definition of a "floor," "building official," and "plates of approved design." 1910.22, 1910.22(d)
Motor wiring connects. 1910.303(g)(2)
Portable ladders. 1910.21, 1910.21(e)(2), 1910.23(c)(14), 1910.32(b)(5), 1926.500, 1926.1050, 1926.1053(b), 1926.1053(b)(5)(i), 1926 Subpart L
Training requirements of the competent person for class II roofing work. 1926.1101
Revised Grain Handling Standard: Guidance to Compliance Officers. 1910.272
Voluntary/reserve/apprentice firefighters who are not paid. 1975.3
Machine Guarding Standard. 1910.212, 1910.217
Asbestos Standard for Construction. 1910 - Table of Contents, 1926.1101
An interpretation for the Bakery Equipment Standard, 29 CFR 1910.263. 1910.263
Requirements of the Occupational Noise Exposure Standard with regards to hearing protectors. 1910.95
Relationship between owners and loggers 1975.3
Information on temporary workers.
Landowner and the loggers.
Whether the OSHA HAZWOPER standard applies to the remediation of unexploded conventional ordnance at military sites. 1910.120, 1926.65
Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution standard. 1910.269
Operation of cranes near powerlines. 1926.550
In multi-story buildings "employee notice" requirement of asbestos standard. 1926.1101