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
The applicability of OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standards to the use of sharps containers on hospital crash carts. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(2)(i), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(3)(i), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(4)
Use of feasible engineering/work practice controls for exposure to Cr(VI) for welding in confined spaces; housekeeping and disposal of large/bulky waste materials. 1910.146, 1910.1026, 1910.1026(a)(4), 1910.1026(b), 1910.1026(c), 1910.1026(f)(1), 1910.1026(j), 1910.1026(j)(3)(i), 1915.1026, 1926.1126
Requirements for tapping or tying-in to asbestos containing cement water pipes for construction. 1926.1101, 1926.1101(b), 1926.1101(f), 1926.1101(g), 1926.1101(g)(9), 1926.1101(h)(3)(iii), 1926.1101(i)(1), 1926.1101(k)(9), 1926.1101(o)(4)
Application of OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens standard to contractors who clean up blood following accidents. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(b), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(B), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(C), 1910.1030(g)(1), 1910.1030(g)(1)(i), 1910.1030(g)(1)(i)(E), 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(M)
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Protection. 1910.134, 1910.134(f)(2), 1910.134(f)(3)
Clarification of the term "contemporaneous" as used in recordkeeping FAQ 7-10a. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7
Employer liability and payment requirements for prescription protective eyewear. 1910.132, 1910.133, 1910.133(a)(3)
Clarification of OSHA's asbestos standards for general industry and construction and the respiratory protection standard as applied to medical surveillance of employees. 1910.134, 1910.1001, 1910.1001(g), 1910.1001(g)(1), 1910.1001(l), 1926.1101, 1926.1101(h), 1926.1101(h)(1), 1926.1101(h)(2), 1926.1101(h)(2)(ii), 1926.1101(l)(4), 1926.1101(m)(1)(i)
Lockout/Tagout and the provisions for testing or positioning of machines while they are energized. 1910.217, 1910.147, 1910.147(a)(2)(ii), 1910.147(b), 1910.147(f)(1)
Manufacturer and distributor requirements for developing MSDS for hazardous products. 1910.1200, 1910.1200(d)
Application of Control of Hazardous Energy (LOTO) requirements to compressed gas cylinders. 1910.147, 1910.147(b), 1910.147(c)(7), 1910.147(c)(7)(iii)(A), 1910.147(c)(7)(iii)(B), 1910.147(f)(2)(i)
Whether employees certified in CPR and use of AED's are covered under the bloodborne pathogens standards. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(b)
PRCS and LOTO requirements for accumulation of stored energy in steam pits 1910.146, 1910.147, 1910.147(d)(5)(ii)
Emergency action plan procedures when employees discover an unknown biohazard. 1910.38
OSHA training Standards Policy Statement. 1910.134(k)(5)(ii), 1910.147(c)(7)(i), 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(N), 1926.21(b)(2)
Classification of removal of asbestos-containing gaskets; requirement to conduct removal in a "glove bag." 1915.1001, 1915.1001(b), 1915.1001(g)(8)(iv)(A), 1926.1101, 1926.1101(b), 1926.1101(g)(8)(iv)(A)
Performance of user seal checks and whether positive and/or negative seal checks are required when donning a respirator. 1910.134, 1910.134 App B-1
Recording an injury when employer is provided with different medical opinions. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5
Whether damage to employee dentures is a recordable injury. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7
Clarification of OSHA's requirement for breathing air to have at least 19.5 percent oxygen content. 1910.134, 1910.134(d)(2)(i)(A), 1910.134(d)(2)(i)(B), 1910.134(d)(2)(iii)