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

Filters


Date Title Standard Number
Training requirements for powder-actuated tools under §1926.302(e). 1926.21(b)(2), 1926.32(f), 1926.302(e), 1926.302(e)(1)
Whether the four-bolt requirement in 1926.755(a)(1) applies to a pre-existing column that will be left in place during a renovation/alteration project. 1926.755, 1926.755(a)(1)
Requirement for flame-resistant clothing in petrochemical plant covered by PSM. 1910.132, 1910.132(a), 1910.119, 1910.119(f)(1)(iii)(B), 1910.119(h)(2), 1910.119(h)(3), 1910.119(j)(2)
Access to toilet facilities in a call center. 1910.141, 1910.141(c)(1)(i)
Fall protection and aerial lifts in the Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution industries. 1910.28, 1910.28(a)(12), 1910.28(d)(7), 1910.28(d)(12), 1910.29, 1910.29(a)(3), 1910.67, 1910.269, 1910.269(a)(2)
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Protection: prohibition on enforcement of annual fit testing requirements during fiscal year 2006. 1910.134, 1910.134(f)(2), 1910.134(f)(3)
Policy on powered industrial truck operators using prescribed drugs. 1910.178
Alternative fall protection program when guardrails are infeasible to install. 1910.23, 1910.23(c)
Employer's duty to inform auto mechanic of presence of blood in vehicle being repaired. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(b)
Use of cages, wells, and personal fall protection systems to protect against falls from fixed ladders. 1910.27
Clarification on revising a baseline audiogram if a standard threshold shift occurs in only one ear. 1910.95, 1910.95(g)(9)
Circumstances under which installation of fixed industrial stairs with a slope between 50 degrees and 70 degrees from the horizontal would be considered a de minimis violation. 1910.24
The use of ship's stairs instead of fixed stairs in general industry. 1910.27
Facial hair and voluntary use of filtering facepiece respirators. 1910.134, 1910.134(a), 1910.134(c)(2)(ii)
Applicability of the Fire brigade standard to health care facilities. 1910.156, 1910.156(a)
OSHA's regulations regarding restrooms for general industry. 1910.141, 1910.141(c)
Applicability of HAZWOPER standard to hazardous waste generators that are not conditionally exempt as small quantity generators. 1910.120, 1910.120(a)(2)(iii), 1910.120(p)(8)
Highway work zones and reflective/warning vests for the protection of off-duty police officers working as flaggers. 1926.200, 1926.200(g)(2), 1926.201, 1926.201(a)
Whether OSHA standards prohibit using two power hoists wired together to a single control;whether a minimum of two persons are required to be on board a two-point suspended scaffold. 1926.451, 1926.451(d)(13), 1926.452
OSHA requirements applicable to use of the Contex "Magic Arm" below-the-hook lifting device. 1926.20(b), 1926.21(b)(2), 1926.251(a)(1), 1926.753, 1926.1400