Letters of Interpretation | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

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
10/19/1976	Enforcement of 1910.27 Fixed Ladders.	1910.27
10/14/1976	Low-pressure cylinders which are subject to hydrostatic testing.	1910.166
09/29/1976	Proposed modifications to the Biro All-Purpose Cutter.	1910.212
09/28/1976	Structural steel connector used to tie off.	1926.550
09/23/1976	Accidental tipping over of a tower type scaffold.	1926.451
09/20/1976	Whether or not a piece of equipment would meet the intent of 1910.242.	1910.242
09/15/1976	Clarification of 1910.212 and 1910.242 as applying to hand-type office paper cutters and sharp edged hand tools	1910.212, 1910.242
09/14/1976	Specific trenching requirements as it pertains to shoring.	1926.652
09/09/1976	Spray Finishing and Mechanical Power Presses.	1910.107, 1910.217
09/08/1976	Flammable and Combustible Liquids.	1910.106
09/02/1976	An employer is responsible for providing personal protective equipment.	1910.132
08/30/1976	Guarding of cotton ginning equipment standards.	1928.57
08/20/1976	Wire rope were used as a bull wire	1926.251
08/20/1976	Exits for Unattended Buildings.
08/16/1976	Quick drenching or flushing facilities in battery charging areas.	1910.151
08/13/1976	Use of audible alarms in lieu of physical barriers.	1926.550(a)(9)
08/11/1976	The OSH Act of 1970 assigns the responsibility for compliance with safety and health standards to the employer.	1910.132, 1910.135
08/10/1976	Clarification of what constitutes lashing or stability for portable scaffolds.	1910.28, 1910.66
08/09/1976	1910.36(b)(8) does not automatically require at least two means of egress.	1910.36(b)(8)
08/04/1976	Clarification of OSHA standards for toilet facilities.	1910.141