Letters of Interpretation | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

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
09/24/1987	Temporary lighting branch circuits.	2
09/24/1987	Clarification of revised Subpart K, Electrical Standard for Construction, 1926.403(a).	1
09/24/1987	Cranes used to hoist and suspend employees on a work platform.	0
09/23/1987	Definition, application and use of "Horns".	1
09/17/1987	Definitions of target organ and hazards of chemicals under the Hazard Communication Standard.	1
09/17/1987	Application of the Hazard Communication Standard to art materials industry.	1
09/15/1987	Respiratory protection compliance responsibility for contract workers and visitors.	1
09/10/1987	National Paint and Coatings Association's (NPCA) Health Effects Labeling Approach	1
09/08/1987	Clarification of the requirement for representative monitoring under the asbestos standard for construction.	1
09/08/1987	Responsibility for Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Under the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)	1
09/08/1987	Interim enforcement procedures for AIDS, Hepatitis B, and other blood-borne infectious diseases.	4
09/01/1987	Requirements of 1910.177, Restraining Devices and Barriers.	1
08/25/1987	Presence of chromium in monocomponent photocopier toner is under investigation.	1
08/20/1987	Horns and audible alarms.	1
08/20/1987	Definition of "statistically reliable measurements" in 1926.58(f) (4).	1
08/18/1987	Applicability of the HCS to manufacturers of steel coils.	1
08/14/1987	Manually controlled top loading operations of tank vehicles.	1
08/13/1987	Fall protection for employees exposed to hazardous falls from roofs.	3
08/11/1987	Access ladder for scaffolds.	1
08/07/1987	Safe working load of ship's gear in union purchase	2