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
Clarification of the classification of the aquaculture industries for OSHA enforcement purposes. 1928 - Table of Contents
Enforcement criteria for lead monitoring requirements of recirculated air. 1910.1025(e)(4)(ii)
Interpretation of 1910.157. 1910.157
The chromic acid and chromates standard is an 8-hour TWA, not a ceiling. 1910.1000
Standards for flammable and combustible liquids used in industrial plant mixing operations. 1910.106(e), 1910.106(e)(1)(i)(b), 1910.106(e)(3)
Personnel Hoists. 1926.552(c)(3)
Ship's ladders in restricted spaces considered de minimis violations. 1910.24(e)
OSHA practices in recognizing national testing laboratories. 1910.303(a)
Revisions of hearing conservation standard under consideration applicable to logging industry. 1910.95(c)
Clarification of 1910.23 as it would apply to repair pits. 1910.23
Eyewash equipment is not an acceptable substitute for protective eyewear. 1910.151(c)
The Norton 180 eye protector complies with ANSI Z87.1-1968. 1910.133(a)(6)
Standard applies to tank trucks, not towing kettles. 1926.152(g)(2)
Use or powered air purifying respirators for abrasive blasting. 1910.94(a)(1)(ii)
Provisions for mounting lighting on guardrails. 1910.23(e)(5)(iii)
Letter concerning two pneumatic plier straightening presses. 1910.212
Applicability of the noise standard to pulpwood logging. 1910.95
Definition of "exposure" under 1910.1020. 1910.1020(c)(8)
OSHA's position that the main or emergency switches must be capable of being locked out. 1910.179
Requirements for back up alarms. 1926.601(b)(4), 1926.602(a)(9)(ii)