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
OSHA's position on complying with an updated national consensus standard. 1 1910.261
Use of physical versus mailing address of the responsible party listed on the MSDS. 2 1910.1200, 1910.1200(g)(2)(xii)
Requirements for rated load tests for new or altered cranes. 3 1910.179, 1910.179(b), 1910.179(k)
Application of OSHA's de minimis policy to the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.452(o)(3) and 29 CFR 1926.552(c)(1) - 1926.552(c)(4), 1926.552(c)(8), 1926.552(c)(13), 926.552(c)(14)(i), and 1926.552(c)(16) regarding certain chimney construction work. 4 1926.452, 1926.452(o)(3), 1926.552, 1926.552(c)
Amending OSHA's penalty adjustment factors. 1 1903 - Table of Contents
Medical exams and chest roentgenograms (x-rays) under OSHA's Asbestos standards. 5 1910.1001, 1910.1001(l)(2)(ii), 1915.1001, 1926.1101, 1926.1101(m)(2)(ii)(C)
OSHA's position on the requirements for TB screening for employees who have a documented allergy to PPD. 0
Whether use of high-visibility warning garments by construction workers in highway work zones is required. 4 1926.200, 1926.200(g)(2), 1926.201, 1926.201(a)
Clarification on administering oxygen as a precautionary measure and as medical treatment 2 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.4(a)
Spray finishing operations citation guidance. 5 1910.94, 1910.94(c), 1910.107, 1910.107(a)(2), 1910.107(c)
Difference between voluntary and non-voluntary use of a respirator. 1 1910.134
Clarification on number of employees required for glovebag removal operations. 2 1926.1101, 1926.1101(g)(5)(ii)(B)(9)
OSHA has no authority to ban use of hexavalent chromium. 3 1910.1026, 1915.1026, 1926.1126
Whether annual TB skin testing is required for low risk personnel. 0
Health impacts from shared office equipment. 3 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7, 1904.11
Comprehensive building/facility/vessel surveys for asbestos. 3 1910.1001, 1926.1101, 1915.1001
Disposal of blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). 3 1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(B)(1)(iii), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(C)
Maintenance of medical evaluation and fit test records as required by the Respiratory Protection Standard. 3 1910.134, 1910.134(m), 1910.1020
Requirements for eyewash and shower facilities. 2 1910.151, 1910.151(c)
Determining when a mixture would exceed the threshold quantity in a covered process. 3 1910.119, 1910.119(a)(1)(ii), 1910.119(b)