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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How to Request a Letter of Interpretation

Date	Title	Standard Number	Standard Number
11/21/2016	Determining if a work-related injury or illness resulted in restricted work activity/Job Transfer	2	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7(b)(4)
11/10/2016	Interim Enforcement Procedures for New Recordkeeping Requirements Under 29 CFR 1904.35	2	1904.35, 1904.41
10/07/2016	OSHA requirements for smoke plume generated from laser and electrosurgical instruments in dental offices and hospital operating rooms	3	1910.132, 1910.134, 1910.1000
09/21/2016	Clarifications to CPL 02-02-079, Inspection Procedures for the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012)	1	1910.1200
09/19/2016	Electronic Posting of the Occupational Noise Exposure Standard	2	1910.95, 1910.95(l)(1)
09/12/2016	Evaluating the work-relationship of an injury or illness	2	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5(b)(3)
09/09/2016	Clarification on the use of preventative exercise as an intervention strategy	2	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7(b)(5)
09/08/2016	Regarding construction work in water storage tanks and Permit-required confined space requirements in construction.	4	1926.1202, 1926.1204, 1926.1209(d), 1926.1211(a)
08/23/2016	Determining if the work-related injury or illness would apply to the work-related exception 1904.5(b)(2)(ii)	2	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5
08/23/2016	Determining work-related injuries for accidents that occur on a public road or highway	2	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5
08/23/2016	Clarification on how the formula is used by OSHA to calculate incident rates	1	1904 - Table of Contents
08/22/2016	HCS 2012 labeling of refrigerant containers	6	1910.1200, 1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(b)(4), 1910.1200(f)(1), 1910.1200(f)(5), 1910.1200(f)(6)
08/04/2016	Fall protection requirements for a walking/working surface above a catch platform with a guardrail system	1	1926.500(b)(1)
08/03/2016	Labeling refrigerant cylinders	3	1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(f)(1), 1910.1200(f)
07/28/2016	Application of construction crane standard when handling precast components	1	1926.1400(c)(17)(i)
07/21/2016	Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals and Covered Concentrations of Listed Appendix A Chemicals	1	1910.119
07/20/2016	Container labeling requirements for importer under HCS 2012	3	1910.1200, 1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(f)(1)
07/15/2016	Use of Zip Ties As An Additional Means of Control for Tagout under 1910.269(d)	3	1910.269(d)(2), 1910.269(d)(3), 1910.269(d)(6)
07/14/2016	Whether handling of stones for foundation work is considered a construction activity; Clarification of whether a crane can be derated based on the load being lifted.	2	1926.32(g), 1926.1441
07/14/2016	OSHA requirements for individuals interested in employment as Heavy Equipment Operator.	3	1926.21(b)(2), 1926.602(d), 1910.178(l)