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
Whether 1926.601 is applicable to personnel and burden carriers used in construction. 1926.601, 1926.601(b)(5), 1926.601(b)(8)
Requirements for maintenance of employee exposure records and alternative methods for long-term retention. 1910.1020, 1910.1020(c)(10), 1910.1020(d)(1)(ii)
Whether plywood may be used as scaffold decking material over wood scaffold planks; 29 CFR 1926.450 and 1926.451. 1926.450, 1926.450(b), 1926.451(a), 1926.451(a)(1), 1926.451(a)(6), 1926.451(b)(1)(i), 1926.451(f)(1), 1926.451(f)(16)
Whether toilets at a construction jobsite must be in a sanitary condition to meet the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.51(c). 1926.51, 1926.51(c)(1)
Whether the motor on a portable concrete mixer has to be covered; 1926.300(b)(1). 1926.300, 1926.300(b)(1), 1926.300(b)(2)
Requirements for covered beverages at nurses' stations. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(2)(ix), 1910.141, 1910.141(g)(2)
Use of the "Regulator Umbrella" for "in use" or "connected for use" conditions for portable compressed gas cylinders. 1910.253, 1910.253(b)(5)(ii)(B), 1910.253(b)(5)(ii)(D), 1910.253(b)(5)(ii)(I), 1926.350, 1926.350(a)(10)
Requirements for "nature breaks" and weather-related "comfort breaks" for US Postal Service employee. 1910.141, 1910.141(c)(1)(ii)
Recordkeeping requirements when an employer receives two or more differing medical recommendations for an injury/illness. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7
Determination of work-relatedness on a construction site. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5
Storage of oxygen and acetylene cylinders for construction vs. general industry. 1910.253, 1910.253(b)(2), 1910.253(b)(3), 1910.253(b)(4), 1926.350, 1926.350(a)(10)
Do the requirements in §1926.756(c) apply to double connections made at a beam away from a column? 1926.756, 1926.756(c)(1)
Use of additional lock on a conveyor and baler system exceeds one lockout device. 1910.147, 1910.147(c)(4)(i)
Whether the operator's cab of excavators must be equipped with seatbelts; §1926.602(a) and §1926.602(b). 1926.602, 1926.602(a), 1926.602(b)
General industry and construction standards regarding "in use" or "ready to use" and "storage" of compressed gas and oxygen cylinders for welding; §1910.253(b)(2)-1910.253(b)(4) and §1926.350(a)(10). 1910.253, 1910.253(b)(2), 1910.253(b)(3), 1910.253(b)(4), 1926.350, 1926.350(a)(10)
Machine guarding and compliance with 29 CFR 1910.219(m). 1910.219(m)
Use of flexible cords and cables for wiring in permanent or temporary installations. 1910.305, 1910.305(a)(2)(iii)(G), 1910.305(g)(1)(iii)
Use of lower-limit device that stops lower hook travel with at least two wraps remaining on the drum. 1910.179, 1910.179(h)(2)(iii)(a)
Safety factor when "worst-case" force is applied to safety rail support product intended for ladder jack scaffold systems; §1926.451(a)(1) 1926.451, 1926.451(a)(1)
Whether the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act requires impalement protection from protruding anchor bolts.