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.

NOTICE:

How to Request a Letter of Interpretation

Date	Title	Standard Number
05/01/1986	Applicability of the Hazard Communication standard to pesticides.	3
04/30/1986	Labeling requirements for containers of polyvinyl chloride.	3
04/24/1986	Couplings used in supplied air respirator systems.	1
04/21/1986	The M-17 gas mask may not be used by workers other than enlisted military personnel.	1
04/20/1986	Power Press Brakes.	2
04/17/1986	Spacing of guardrail brackets used on flying forms.	1
04/16/1986	The cotton dust standard applies to the elastic fabric industry	1
04/15/1986	The use of disposable respirators where cotton dust concentration is no greater than five times the PEL.	1
04/11/1986	Potentially Hazardous Amine Absorber Pressure Vessels Used in Refinery Processing	1
04/10/1986	Employee exposure to cotton dust.	1
04/10/1986	Clarification of our standard railing requirements.	1
04/10/1986	General review of the OSHA noise standard.	1
04/08/1986	Requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard as it applies to the metal chips and other scrap material.	1
04/07/1986	Benzo(a)pyrene regulated with coal tar pitch volatiles.; Response to request for information on benzo(a)pyrene.	2
04/07/1986	Labeling and MSDS requirements for product containing trace quantities of ethylene oxide.; Criterion that must be satisfied in order to assert that a product or operation is exempt for the EtO Standar	2
04/03/1986	"Ambu" Bags (Bag Valve Masks) - Pocket Masks	0
03/28/1986	Wodelic Electronic Welding Helmet	1
03/21/1986	Application of the HCS to flavor extracts	1
03/20/1986	Design criteria for a standard railing.	1
03/20/1986	Applicability of the HCS to castings.	1