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
Request for a list of all OSHA-regulated air contaminants. 1910.1000, 1910.1000 TABLE Z-1, 1910.1000 TABLE Z-2, 1910.1000 TABLE Z-3
Asbestos in the car repair industry. 1910.1001
Clarify issues related to the joint venture study and its use as objective data under the Formaldehyde Standard 1910.1048
Coverage under the Process Safety Management Standard. 1910.119
Maintaining a safe working perimeter outside a crane's swing radius. 1926.550
Suprotek PC100 protective rebar cover. 1926.701
Sampling for lead welding fumes. 1910.252(c), 1926.353
"Compliance Audits" of the Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard. 1910.119
Recording procedures for cases involving occupational hearing loss.
Recording of Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) cases.
OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping issues.
Clarification of the application of the Vinyl Chloride Standard and the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard. 1910.1017, 1910.120
Hazard Communication Standard requirements for labeling fire extinguishers. 1910.1200, 1910.1201
Regulations pertaining to respirator use. 1910.1020
Compliance from OSHA for an inflatable fall arrest device. 1926.502
OSHA standards addressing training for employees using personal fall arrest equipment. 1926.21
New Fall Protection standards and standards for scaffolds used during dry wall work 1926.451(a), 1926.451(c), 1926.760(a)(1)
Employees in a cotton yarn manufacturing plant who voluntarily wear cloth over their mouths and noses to prevent lint from sticking to their skin. 1910.134, 1910.1043
Interpretation Regarding Guardrails Proposed for Coors Stadium. 1910.23, 1910.28
Enforcement of Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution and Electrical Protective Equipment. 1910.137, 1910.269