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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Date Title Standard Number
Applicability of bloodborne pathogens to non-incorporated business owners and discarded feminine hygiene products. 1910.1030
Clarifications of Interpretations and Citation Policy 1910.38, 1910.157
Policy for warning tags on scaffolds. 1926.200
Regulations for scaffold casters. 1910.29, 1926.452(w)
Muriatic acid not subject to Process Safety Management standard. 1910.119
HHCs as it applies to storing of flammable liquids. 1910.119
Clarification of "laboratory" and "process" relative to process safety management standard. 1910.119
Electrical standards and computer security devices. 1910 Subpart S
Energy control devices lockable design requiremnets. 1910.147
Process Safety Management standard. 1910.119
PSM standard and fertilizer storage and mixing facilities. 1910.119
Display of a nonionizing radiation warning sign meets standard 1910.97
Acceptable job-made extension cords. 1910.303(b)(1)(i), 1910.303(e), 1910.304(a)(2), 1910.305(a)(2), 1910.305(g)(2)(iii), 1926.403(b)(1)(i), 1926.404(a)(2), 1926.405(g)(2), 1926.405(g)(2)(iv), 1926.405(g)(2)(v), 1910 Subpart S, 1926 Subpart K
Application of Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals to the manufacture of explosives and pyrotechnics. 1910.119(a), 1975.1
Soil testing for excavations and confined spaces. 1926.21, 1910.146, 1926.651(g)
Quality of hearing conservation programs & the Standard Threshold Shifts (STS) recording requirement. 1904 - Table of Contents
Slings used in conjunction with other material handling equipment for the movement of materials by hoisting in the workplace. 1910.184
Bloodborne pathogens standard's relationship to group home living programs for retarded adults. 1910.1030
In 1973 and 1988, rules were developed by ANSI to address hydraulic boom cranes. 1926.550
Capacitive sensor palm buttons. 1910.217