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

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Date Title Standard Number
Ground-fault protection standards when extension cords are plugged into permanent wiring at construction sites. 1910.404(b)(1)
Wire rope and/or cable as a method of perimeter protection for a building under construction. 1926.500, 1926.451
Department of Labor Regional Safety and Health Committees
Clarification of 1926.28(a) as to whether an orange vest constitutes personal protective equipment. 1926.28(a)
Fall protection for employees while erecting, dismantling or making alterations to scaffolds in excess of five feet in ship repairing or shipbuilding operations. 1915.77, 1915.71
Interpretation on preservation of employee x-ray films. 1910.1020
Hydraulic Truck Cranes. 1926.550
"Material handling" operations in "longshoring operations". 1926.605
Acceptance of certain threaded bushings on type 11 grinding wheels as being safety guards. 1910.243(c)
Evaluation of Retractalok Series RTC-2700 fall protection equipment. 1926.104
Clarification on requirements for wire rope around temporary- planked or temporary metal-decked floors. 1926.750
Medical Interpretation concerning exposure to H2S and respiratory protection with a perforated ear drum. 1910.134(e)
Aerial lifts. 1926.556
Questions and answers relative to the noise standard. 1910.95
The UL-TEMA (7800 Series) provides eye protection equivalent to ANSI Z87.1-1968. 1910.133(a)(6)
Interpretation of 1910.179, Overhead and Gantry Cranes 1910.179
Baseline audiograms must be established even if medical problem exists. 1910.95
The compliance of a thermoreactor product with OSHA standards. 1910.107
Extent to which safety mats provide for compliance with OSHA regulations for machine guarding. 1910.212, 1910.219
"Built-up" roofing work. 1926.500