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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How to Request a Letter of Interpretation

Date	Title	Standard Number	Standard Number
05/09/2006	Use of additional lock on a conveyor and baler system exceeds one lockout device.	2	1910.147, 1910.147(c)(4)(i)
05/09/2006	Whether the operator's cab of excavators must be equipped with seatbelts; §1926.602(a) and §1926.602(b).	3	1926.602, 1926.602(a), 1926.602(b)
05/09/2006	Do the requirements in §1926.756(c) apply to double connections made at a beam away from a column?	2	1926.756, 1926.756(c)(1)
05/08/2006	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).	6	1910.253, 1910.253(b)(2), 1910.253(b)(3), 1910.253(b)(4), 1926.350, 1926.350(a)(10)
05/07/2006	Machine guarding and compliance with 29 CFR 1910.219(m).	1	1910.219(m)
05/05/2006	Use of flexible cords and cables for wiring in permanent or temporary installations.	3	1910.305, 1910.305(a)(2)(iii)(G), 1910.305(g)(1)(iii)
04/25/2006	Use of lower-limit device that stops lower hook travel with at least two wraps remaining on the drum.	2	1910.179, 1910.179(h)(2)(iii)(a)
04/25/2006	Safety factor when "worst-case" force is applied to safety rail support product intended for ladder jack scaffold systems; §1926.451(a)(1)	2	1926.451, 1926.451(a)(1)
04/25/2006	Restrictions from restricted work activities.	2	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7
04/25/2006	Whether the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act requires impalement protection from protruding anchor bolts.	0
04/25/2006	Whether 29 CFR 1926.1053(a)(18) and 1926.1053(a)(19) apply to an attachable ladder used on scaffolding.	5	1926.451, 1926.451(e)(2), 1926.1053, 1926.1053(a)(18), 1926.1053(a)(19)
04/25/2006	Conditions rendering underground electrical power connections as unsafe to touch with bare hands.	3	1910.269, 1910.269(l)(2), 1910.269(l)(3)
04/24/2006	Determination of a case as days away or restricted work; case must be recorded in manner reflecting what actually occurs.	2	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7
04/24/2006	Whether non-rebar projections on a construction site must be guarded; whether rebar caps/covers are subject to a minimum size requirement; whether vertical rebar in beam stirrups are subject to §1926.701(b)	2	1926.701, 1926.701(b)
04/19/2006	Landing platform requirement for fixed ladder with continuous climb of 62 feet.	2	1910.27, 1910.27(d)(2)
04/19/2006	Safe tieback angles for controlled boatswain's chairs.	4	1910.28, 1910.28(j), 1910.30, 1910.30(g)(2)
04/17/2006	29 CFR 1926.31 and 1926.100; wearing caps or other apparel under a hard hat for cold weather protection.	2	1926.31, 1926.100
04/17/2006	Guardrail height requirements for construction activities in General Industry Facilities.	2	1926.502, 1926.502(b)(1)
03/27/2006	Clarification of "trade secret" and the employer's obligation to provide genetic coding information.	10	1910.1020, 1910.1020(c)(5), 1910.1020(c)(6), 1910.1020(c)(13), 1910.1020(c)(14), 1910.10(e)(1)(iii), 1910.1020(e)(1)(iv), 1910.1020(f)(4), 1910.1020(f)(4)(ii), 1910.1020(f)(4)(iv)
03/27/2006	Worker exposure to impalement hazards while constructing upper rebar mats over rebar protrusions from lower levels	2	1926.701, 1926.701(b)(1)