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
HCS requirements applicable to oil and gas producers. 1
Consumer product exemption under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). 1
List of establishments that have received inspection exemption certificates. 0
HCS does not require a particular labeling system's code on the MSDS. 1
Recommended changes for asbestos sampling from SLCAL. 1
Establishment Listing of the Corporatewide Settlement Agreements. 1
Respiratory protection requirements for sour crude oil tank operations. 1
MSDS distribution requirements for chemical manufacturers and importers, distributors and retail distributors. 1
Interpretation on whether an injury constituted a restriction of work activity. 1
Ruling as to whether blank OSHA-200 logs must be maintained at each jobsite where no recordable injuries or illnesses have occurred. 1
Field Operations Manual (FOM) interpretation on sending citations to a construction site. 0
Positive acting anti-two-block device. 1
No. 9 wire is not adequate to support large walls, columns or piers. 1
Clarification on respirator use relating to the benzene standard. 1
Applicability of the HCS to office workers and copy machine operators. 1
Asserting jurisdiction under State law over any occupational safety or health issue with respect to which no standard is in effect. 2
Revised Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) Instruction, CPL 2-2. 38B CH-1 1
Application of the HCS to certain products containing crystalline silica. 1
Interpretation of 1910.106(d)(2)(i), as it applies to the storage of combustible liquids in polyethylene containers. 1
The use of the "Billy Pugh" type basket. 9