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	Standard Number
12/08/2011	Obtaining source individual's consent to release test results.	1	1910.1030
12/05/2011	Electrical Grounding of Overhead Cranes and Hoists.	2	1910.179, 1910.304
11/22/2011	Numerous questions on filtering facepiece/dusk mask respirators.	4	1910.134, 1910.134(b), 1910.134(c)(2), 1910.134(h)
11/22/2011	Clarification of sampling and testing protocols for determining employee exposure to airborne contaminants.	3	1910.1048, 1910.1048(c)(2), 1910.1200
11/21/2011	Retrieval Lines Tied to Rescuers Entering a Confined Space	1	1910.146
11/17/2011	Requirement to list carcinogens on labels under GHS.	3	1910.1200, 1910.1200(f)(11), 1910.1200(g)(5)
11/10/2011	Numerous questions on the removal of asbestos containing gaskets	1	1926.1101
11/08/2011	Use of IOM sampler for inhalable dust.	1	1910.1000
10/26/2011	Clarification on the intermingling of flammable and combustible liquids in a storage cabinet.	2	1910.106, 1910.106(d)(3)(i)
10/26/2011	Fit testing for CBRN respirators.	2	1910.134, 1910.134(f)(7)
10/18/2011	Clarification of Hazcom provision intended to preempt conflicting state regulatory actions, but not tort claims.	2	1910.1200, 1910.1200(a)(2)
10/13/2011	Clarification of utility owner/operator obligation to provide voltage information.	3	1926.1407, 1926.1407(e), 1926.1408
10/06/2011	Certified flame-resistant clothing (FRC) used by industrial personnel.	1	1910.132
09/02/2011	Clarification of the Chromium (VI) Standard - Change Rooms and Hygiene Practices.	5	1910.141, 1910.141(e), 1910.1026, 1910.1026(h)(1), 1910.1026(i)(1)
08/30/2011	Use of local valves as a means of equipment isolation for energy control.	1	1910.147
08/29/2011	Rescue and retrieval requirements for enclosed spaces covered under 1910.269.	1	1910.269
08/25/2011	OSHA's Formaldehyde PEL compared to NIOSH's Formaldehyde REL	1	1910.1048(c)
08/22/2011	Fall protection on aerial lifts during construction activities.	2	1926.453, 1926.453(b)(2)(v)
08/10/2011	Clarification of Multiple Business Establishments and Covered Employees	3	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.30, 1904.31
08/05/2011	OSHA's decision not to provide a religious exemption from the respirator standard.	5	1910.132(b), 1910.132(h)(6), 1910.134, 1910.134(b), 1910.134(d)(1)