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
OSHA policy on the containerization and disposal of specimen containers used for urine collection in medical settings. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)
Clarification on firefighters with facial hair who enter IDLH atmospheres and use a self-contained breathing apparatus. 1910.134, 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A)
Flame-resistant and flame-retardant treated clothing for oil and gas well drilling, servicing, and production-related operations 1910.132, 1910.132(a), 1910.106, 1910.119
Supply shortages of flame resistant clothing (FRC) for oil and gas well drilling 1910.132
Rapid test methods for determining HCV infectivity. 1910.1030
Requirement for neck protection when using power saws. 1910.243
Recording an absence as days away when PLHCP recommends the employee return to work. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7
Clarification of mobile workers and sanitation facility requirements under HAZWOPER. 1910.120, 1910.120(n)(3), 1926.65 , 1926.65(n)(3), 1926.51(c)(4)
Clarification on when an instructor must be immediately available during a training program. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(N)
Clarification on whether a successor employer may establish a new baseline audiogram for employees of the former employer. 1910.95, 1910.95(g)(9), 1910.95(m)(5), 1910.95(h), 1904.34, 1904.10(a)
Clarification of OSHA's authority to enforce wheel chocking of commercial motor vehicles and related safety hazards at loading facilities. 1910.178, 1910.178(k)(1), 1910.178(l)(3), 1910.178(m)(7)
Clarification of the terms employee's working lifetime and first discovered.
Clarification of the terms most authoritative and pre-existing conditions as used for recordkeeping purposes. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5, 1904.5(b)(2)(ii), 1904.6, 1904.6(b)(3)
Interpretation of OSHA standard CFR 1926.757(a)(1) concerning the angle created by two members framing into a column 1926.757, 1926.757(a)(1)
Applicability of the hexavalent chromium standard to welders. 1910.1026, 1910.1026(h), 1910.1026(i)
Handling of contaminated laundry in long-term care facilities. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(b), 1910.1030(f)(1)(i)
Safety hazards associated with wearing skirts in a restaurant setting. 1910.132
ANSI standards regarding accident prevention signs and physical hazard marking. 1910.144, 1910.145, 1910.145(d)
Clarification on hot therapy as first aid. 1904.7
Federal requirements for the anchorages and connectors in personal fall arrest systems. 1926.502(d)