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
The grain elevator explosion in New Orleans. 1910.272
Grain elevator explosions and fires. 1910.272
Review of the safeguards provided on the Biro Meat Tenderizer and the Chopper (grinder) machines. 1910.212
If work may accidently come into contact with an energized line, do not use a conductive hose. 1926.302, 1926.951, 1926.950
Cut-and-cover operation in the construction of tunnels. 1926.800(k)(10)(i)
Grain elevator explosions. 1910.272
Grain elevator explosions over the past five years. 1910.272
Standards regulating access for tubular steel scaffolding. 1926.451(a)(13), 1926.450
A knot in a wire rope is a recognized hazard for material handling. 1926.251(c)(3), 1915.112(b)(4), 1917.42(b)(5), 1918.62(b)(6)
Insulate or guard the employee from the energized part. 1926.950(c)(1)(i)
Elliott Company's plant-wide hard hat program. 1910.135
Roll-Over Protection Structures (ROPS) of the safety and health regulations for construction and agriculture. 1928.52, 1928.53
Requirement for ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection to the Ship Repairing Industry. 1910.309
Supports required for safety nets. 1926.105
Use of silver chloride dry cells as a power source for testing electric blast caps. 1926.906, 1910.109
Positive identification of persons working underground in tunnels and shafts, caissons, cofferdams, compressed air tunnels. 1926.800(c), 1926.803
Requirements for marking safety cans. 1910.144
Carbon zinc batteries in blasting galvanometers. 1926.906(q), 1910.109(e)(4)(vii)
The point of operation guarding on the Biro Power Meat Cutters (bandsaws). 1910.212, 1910.213
Double-insulated tools and ground-fault protection on construction sites. 1926.400