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
Rulings or requirements for employees in the electrical trade to wear steel-toe shoes. 1910.333
Use of temporary vertical ladders. 1926.1053(b)(5)(i)
Iron oxides as used in pigment coloring operations. 1910.1200(d)(1)
Hazardous waste operations and emergency response lapsed refresher training requirements. 1910.120
Navy gas free engineering program and related failure to abate citation. 1915.7, 1915.14
Exposures to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) in lighting equipment. 1910.1000
Customer safety in restaurants not covered by OSHA. 1975.3
Request for approval of hoist hook remote release device.
Cumulative trauma disorder (recording) on the OSHA 200 log. 1904 - Table of Contents
Re-useable phlebotomy collection device. 1910.1030
Clarification on training for firefighters and HAZWOPER. 1910.120
Inert gas as it applies to the hazard communication standard. 1926.59
Television transmission towers. 1910.97
Request for formal hazard alert on Keller ladder shoe pads
Ethylene oxide tank changing operations. 1910.1047
Criteria for recording on OSHA Form 200. 1904 - Table of Contents
Housing on floating fish processors and barges. 1910.142
MSDS requirements for salt 1910.1200(g)
OSHA's position regarding compensating time spent taking employer-sponsored medical exams. 1910.151
Plywood as a substitute for meeting the standard. 1926.652