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
09/05/1986	Clarification of 1926.451(c) concerning the intermingling of tube and coupler scaffold components.	1
09/03/1986	The Willson "type 3" eye protective device complies with ANSI Z87. 1-1968.	1
08/29/1986	Clarification of service braking system requirements for rubber- tire off-highway equipment.	1
08/29/1986	Clarification of our scaffold standards.	1
08/18/1986	Hair where the mask edges meet the skin is not permitted for wearers of 30 minute positive pressure SCBA respirators.	3
08/18/1986	Requirements for listing multiple exposure limits on MSDSs under the HCS.	1
08/13/1986	Explanation of HCS labeling requirements to the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers.	1
08/11/1986	Applicability of HCS standard to shipment of truck parts.	1
08/11/1986	Labeling requirements for bulk shipments of metallic scrap under the HCS.	2
08/08/1986	The safe use of portable, compressed-air-actuated, fastener driving tools (staple guns)	3
08/06/1986	Professional liability insurance for asbestos abatement consultants.	2
08/05/1986	Establishing carcinogenicity of sodium and potassium salts of chromate and dichromate.	1
07/31/1986	Sampling methods for ethylene oxide	1
07/29/1986	Centrifugal safety switch for a concrete trowel machine is acceptable.	1
07/23/1986	Power Presses of the Powder Metal Industry.	2
07/18/1986	OSHA requirements for exit sign lettering.	2
07/16/1986	Acceptability of heat shrinkable insulating covers in making splices.	2
07/10/1986	Response to letter suggesting that the noise standard of 90 dB(A) is set at too high a level, and should be 85 dB(A) or less.	1
07/02/1986	Requirements under the Hazard Communication standard for visibility of labels on shipments of palletized bags.	1
07/02/1986	Requirements for fingerprint powders containing carbon black under the Hazard Communication Standard.	1