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
Distributor's and retailer's responsibilities for providing MSDSs. 1
Medical exams required under the asbestos standards. 2
When and how it it permissible for employees to be hoisted on the load lines of cranes and derricks. 1
Respiratory Protection for Mercury and Chlorine 1
Metal cyclones Supplied by SKC Inc. are not to be used for sampling respirable dust. 1
Request for a regulatory clarification concerning commercial carbon black. 1
Formaldehyde Standard Clarification 1
Listing of decomposition products on MSDSs where they are present during normal use or only in the event of a fire. 1
Labelling requirements for chemicals transported to another plant of the same company under the HCS. 1
Distributor of health care products would be a "distributor" rather than a "retail distributor" under the HCS. 1
The ENCON/FT-Collection meets the intent of the OSHA eye and face protection standard. 1
Rubber protective equipment shall be in accordance with the provisions of (ANSI). 1
Survey questionnaire concerning the use of computers by inspectors during enforcement. 0
Applicability of the HCS to crystalline silica, when bound in a polymeric compound and silicone rubber elastomers. 1
Concrete and Masonry Construction Safety Standards; 1926.706 1
SAE J2194 standard for Agricultural Tractor Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS). 1
Interpretation of 1928.110(a) defining "Field Worker". 1
Applicability of the HCS to an employer using portland cement. 1
Letter to Paul W. Davis from Thomas Shepich concerning requirements of the HCS regarding manufacturer provision of MSDSs with first shipments of hazardous chemicals. 1
Response to request for OSHA endorsement of a distributor's program for downstream transmittal of MSDSs. 1