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
Requirements for fixed lighting units for spray booths. 1910.107(b)(10), 1910.107(c)(7)
Employee working alone in a manhole. 1926.956(b)(1)
Ladders extending more than 36 inches above the landing do not need to have the rungs above the landing removed so as to facilitate employees stepping between the side rails. 1926.451(e)(2), 1926.1053(b)(1)
Interpretation on request for variance for storage of explosives and blasting agents. 1926.904(d), 1926.904(e)
Calculating the stopping distance limits for mills. 1910.216(f)(2)
Rung spacing for fixed ladders. 1910.27(b)(1)(ii)
Administrative controls and PPE used to reduce exposure below limits if engineering controls are not feasible. 1910.95
Request for variance from requirements for cranes and derricks. 1925.550(a)(1)
Use of respirators for work in manholes. 1926.103, 1926.956(a)(3)(i), 1926.956(a)(3)(ii), 1926.956(a)(3)(iii)
Clarification on standard for rigging equipment for material handling - wire rope. 1926.251(c)(4)(iii)
Scale guard requirements for forging hammers. 1910.218(a)(3)(viii)
Guarding requirements for radial saws. 1910.213(h)(1)
Distance requirements for placement of propane gas tanks. 1910.110(b)(6)
Restricting fans to low speed does not void machine guarding standards. 1910.212(a)(5)
Requesting a more specific response to the meat cutters. 1910.132
Requirements that emergency lighting be provided in the OSHA standards. 1910.22
Using a helicopter to set an electrical transmission tower. 1926.551(l)
Use of fire treated cardboard to facilitate clean-up on the floors and walls of spray booths. 1910.107(b)(3)
Inquired about the possible rewording of two sections in the 1975 revision of the National Electric Code.
Employee working from an aerial lift. 1926.556