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
Work in compressed air and underground tunnelling. 1926.804, 1926.803
Propane tank installation in passenger-carrying vehicles. 1910.110(e)(4)(i)
Testing requirements for piping, valves, and fittings; Testing requirements for piping, valves, and fittings 1910.106(c)(1)(i), 1910.106(b)(7)
Diking requirements for cyanide electroplating baths. 1910.126(e)
A serious safety problem related to drilling equipment manufacture.
Construction Safety Standards are enforced for maintenance painting of the building or structure at a manufacturing plant. 1910.12(b)
Mobile construction scaffolding. 1926.451
Carcinogen standards requirements for fume hood face velocities do not apply to laboratories. 1910.1003, 1910.1016
One type of muff and plug available for employee hearing protector selection. 1910.95(i)(3)
A free standing scaffold shall be considered safe when the total height is equal to or less than four times the minimum or least base dimension. 1926.451(d)(7)
The use of self-tripping on hydraulic power presses. 1910.217
Nuisance dust standard applies to grain dust exposures. 1910.1000
Standards for falling hazards less than 25 feet. 1926.28(a)
Ear muffs and ear plugs are not both required if one offers protection. 1910.95(i)(3)
Notification requirements for standard threshold shifts. 1910.95
Employee access to medical records. 1910.1020
Clarification of our railing requirements in 29 CFR 1910.23(e). 1910.23
Applicability of the noise standard to portable ear muff type radios. 1910.95
Interpretation on applicable standards for bulk coal handling facility at a marine terminal. 1917 - Table of Contents
Fall restraint systems for employees building scaffolds in a location where the scaffold that is being built provides the only tie-off point. 1926.451