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
IBP Settlement Agreement
Oven inspections required by 1910.263(l)(9)(ii). 1910.263(l)(9)(ii)
Barge based cranes and 1926.550(g). 1926.550
Definition of Hazardous Waste. 1910.120
1910.120 exemption for no exposure situations and tiered training requirments. 1910.120
Standards for a "cable grab" device that will not allow the free end of the wire rope to exit the hoist. 1926.451
HCS requirements applicable to oil and gas producers. 1910.1200
List of establishments that have received inspection exemption certificates.
Consumer product exemption under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). 1910.1200(a)(4)(iv)
HCS does not require a particular labeling system's code on the MSDS. 1910.1200
Recommended changes for asbestos sampling from SLCAL. 1910.1001
Establishment Listing of the Corporatewide Settlement Agreements. 1910.1001
Respiratory protection requirements for sour crude oil tank operations. 1910.134
MSDS distribution requirements for chemical manufacturers and importers, distributors and retail distributors. 1910.1200(g)
Ruling as to whether blank OSHA-200 logs must be maintained at each jobsite where no recordable injuries or illnesses have occurred. 1904.2(a)
Interpretation on whether an injury constituted a restriction of work activity. 1904 - Table of Contents
Field Operations Manual (FOM) interpretation on sending citations to a construction site.
No. 9 wire is not adequate to support large walls, columns or piers. 1926.703
Positive acting anti-two-block device. 1926.550
Clarification on respirator use relating to the benzene standard. 1910.1028