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
OSHA requires the use of a tuberculocidal disinfectant to clean up blood or body fluids. 1910.1030
Alternative procedures for the non-entry rescue provision. 1910.146
Employer exemptions to the recordkeeping requirements. 1904 - Table of Contents
Noise Citation Policy for Construction. 1926.52
Annual written test may suffice to meet annual training requirements if hazard and assigned duty remain the same.
Recapping of contaminated needles. 1910.1030
Highly Hazardous Chemicals as it applies to what constitutes the boundaries of a process. 1910.119
Occupational health hazards to veterinarians. 1910.1000, 1910.1200, 1910.1030, 1910.101
Labeling required if the content of cadmium is 0.1 percent or greater. 1910.1027
Is a physician's order required before performing blood testing on a source individual after consent is obtained. 1910.1030
HAZWOPER and Asbestos standards apply to any emergency response to an uncontrolled hazardous substance release involving the presence of asbestos. 1910.120, 1926.1101
Bags for collecting and disposing of asbestos waste. 1910.1001(k)(6), 1926.1101(l)(2)
The employer should make the determination whether the reusable or the disposable device better satisfies requirements of Bloodborne Pathogens standard. 1910.1030
Field Sanitation Standard. 1928.110
Breathing air: testing and carbon monoxide alarm. 1910.134(i)
Highly Hazardous Chemicals as it applies to threshold quantity (TQ) of HHCs. 1910.119
Oregon Fall Protection Policy for Residential Construction. 1926.105
Request for Review of Potential 5(a)(1) Citations for Fall Protection in Steel Erection.
Mechanical power press brake system monitoring requirements. 1910.217
Girder Lock Overhang Form System. 1926.451, 1926.550