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
Update to September 26, 2002 interpretation letter regrading the guarding of live parts electrical requirements. 1910.303(g)(1), 1910.303(g)(2)
Use of Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) instead of Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) to determine asbestos concentrations in air samples. 1926.1101
Construction industry asbestos standard, 1926.1101, as applied to the demolition of buildings containing installed asbestos. 1926.1101
Criteria for and training of the hospital Safety Officer per the requirements of the HAZWOPER standard and as discussed in the "Best Practices for Hospital-based First Receivers" guidance document. 1910.120(q)(3), 1910.120(q)(6)(ii), 1926.65
Applicable regulations when handling waste material classified as "sludge exempt" in regards to the Hazard Communication and HAZWOPER standards. 1910.120, 1910.120(a)(3), 1910.120(q), 1910.1200, 1910.1200(c)
Applicability of scaffold fall protection to guardrails near ladder access areas on scaffolds; toeboards across ladder access areas. 1926.451(e), 1926.451(e)(2), 1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(1), 1926.451(h), 1926.451(h)(2), 1926.1053(b)(1)
Moving Mobile Scaffolds. 1926.452(w)(2), 1926.452(w)(6)
Requirements for being designated a competent person under Part 1926 Subpart L (Scaffolds). 1926.450(b), 1926.451(f)(7), 1926 Subpart L
Whether it is permissible to use a concrete block hanging on a coupling pin as a counterweight to prevent a scaffold from tipping. 1926.451, 1926.451(a), 1926.451(a)(1), 1926.451(a)(12), 1926.451(b), 1926.451(b)(5), 1926.451(b)(5)(i), 1926.451(b)(5)(ii), 1926.451(c)(1)(iii)
OSHA regulations and accident investigation procedures pertaining to carnivals, amusement parks and water parks. 1975.3
Installation and use of doormats; adhering edges to concrete surfaces. 1910.22(a)(1)
Alternative procedures under STD 3-0.1A for employees performing roofing work on roof slopes of 6 in 12 or less during residential construction. 1926.501(b)(13)
Definition of contaminated sharps; engineering controls and good work practice controls must be implemented; ECP must be reviewed annually. 1910.1030(b), 1910.1030(c)(1), 1910.1030(d)(2)(i)
Center stair rail requirements for fixed industrial stairs greater than 88 inches wide. 1910.23(d)(1)(v)
Fall protection requirements when working from ladders in the telecommunications industry 1910.21(b), 1910.23(a)(2), 1910.23(c)(1), 1910.23(c)(3), 1910.27(b)(1), 1910.27(c)(3), 1910.27(c)(7), 1910.27(d)(2), 1910.27(d)(3), 1910.27(d)(4), 1910.132(a)
Prohibitions and/or restrictions on aggressive methods for removing asbestos-containing mastic from floors. 1926.1101, 1926.1101(b), 1926.1101(g)(8)(i), 1926.1101(g)(8)(i)(D), 1926.1101(g)(8)(vi)
Coverage of volunteers; forklift operator training for multiple facilities determined by similarity of potential workplace hazards. 1910.178(l), 1910.178(l)(1), 1910.178(l)(3), 1975.4(h)(4)
Whether there is a conflict between provisions in 1926.451 regarding the use of screening. 1926.451, 1926.451(a), 1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(1), 1926.451(g)(2), 1926.451(g)(2)(iii), 1926.451(g)(4), 1926.451(g)(4)(ix), 1926.451(g)(4)(v), 1926.451(g)(4)(vii), 1926.451(g)(4)(viii), 1926.451(h), 1926.451(h)(1), 1926.451(h)(2)
Under Subpart M, whether a lanyard may be connected to another lanyard by a snaphook, provided the potential fall distance is six feet or less. 1926.500(b), 1926.502(d)(6)
Requirements for leaving construction equipment and powder-actuated tools unattended on a construction building site; impalement protection from reinforcing steel for masonry workers on a scaffold. 1910.178(m)(5), 1910.178(m)(5)(ii), 1910.178(m)(5)(iii), 1926.302, 1926.302(e), 1926.302(e)(6), 1926.600, 1926.600(a)(3), 1926.600(a)(3)(i), 1926.600(a)(3)(ii), 1926.701(b), 1926.702(a), 1926.702(b)