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
Controlled descent devices. 1926.951(b)(4)(ii)
Kelly Bushings on Oil Well Drilling Rigs 1910.212(a)(1), 1910.212(a)(2)
Recordkeeping requirements for medical removals made pursuant to the lead standard. 1910.1025(k), 1910.1025(n)(3), 1904 - Table of Contents
Citing of Reversed Polarity. 1910.309
Steel Bandings as Guardrails. 1926.500(f)(1)(vi)
Clothing lockers must prevent cross contamination of street clothes. 1910.1029(i)(1)
Carbon Monoxide Alarm/Monitoring at Abrasive Blasting Operations. 1910.94, 1910.134
Requirements for off highway vehicles being exported from the UK to the USA. 1910.169
Single-point adjustable suspension scaffolds. 1926.451(k)(10)
Packaging of combustible liquids of 110 gallons or less. 1910.106(d)(2)
Bump caps would not provide adequate employee head protection for all exposures in manholes. 1910.135, 1926.100
OSHA standards on fixed ladders and landing platforms to be used in underground chambers for pumping stations. 1910.27
Definition of the "contact surface" of an abrasive wheel. 1910.215(d)(3)
The Mechanical Power Press Standard. 1910.217
Temporary wiring and temporary lighting in heavy construction. 1926.401
A class C helmet is acceptable on construction projects for protection against impact and penetration of falling and flying objects but not for electrical hazards. 1926.100
Interpretation on the acceptability of steel bands for guardrails. 1926.500(f)(1)(vi)
Applicability of 29 CFR 1910.107, spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials, for fiberglass lay-up/spray-up. 1910.107
Interpretation of the phrase "equivalent entity" with reference to standards regarding chains and slings. 1910.184
Propane pre-heaters used to pre-heat steel in field construction. 1926.350, 1926.351, 1926.153