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 Standard Number
Engineering controls for removal of asbestos-containing construction mastic (Class II work operations). 2 1926.1101(g)(7), 1926.1101(g)(8)
PIT operator's triennial performance evaluation requires demonstration of both knowledge and skills for safe operation of vehicle. 2 1910.178, 1910.178(l)(4)
Adjusting work practices to comply with cave-in protection requirements in §1926.652, Requirements for protective systems in excavations. 1 1926.652(g)(2)
Walkways within scaffolds, guardrails, and planking. 3 1926.450(b), 1926.451(b)(1), 1926.451(g)(1)(v)
Use of OSHA Logo restricted to OSHA and Departmental materials. 0
The requirements for washing facilities on construction jobsites. 2 1926.51(f)(1), 1928.110
Formaldehyde exposure and ergonomic hazards in the embalming/funeral home industry. 3 1910.1048(c), 1910.1048(d), 1910.1048(n)
Machine guarding and exposure to hazards from robotic laundry shuttles. 3 1910.147, 1910.212, 1910.212(a)(1)
Acceptability of a fixed ramp with a one-in-four slope on an industrial conveyor. 2 1910.23, 1910.132
Update to September 26, 2002 interpretation letter regrading the guarding of live parts electrical requirements. 2 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. 1 1926.1101
Construction industry asbestos standard, 1926.1101, as applied to the demolition of buildings containing installed asbestos. 1 1926.1101
Applicable regulations when handling waste material classified as "sludge exempt" in regards to the Hazard Communication and HAZWOPER standards. 5 1910.120, 1910.120(a)(3), 1910.120(q), 1910.1200, 1910.1200(c)
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. 3 1910.120(q)(3), 1910.120(q)(6)(ii), 1926.65
Applicability of scaffold fall protection to guardrails near ladder access areas on scaffolds; toeboards across ladder access areas. 7 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)
Whether it is permissible to use a concrete block hanging on a coupling pin as a counterweight to prevent a scaffold from tipping. 9 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)
Moving Mobile Scaffolds. 2 1926.452(w)(2), 1926.452(w)(6)
Requirements for being designated a competent person under Part 1926 Subpart L (Scaffolds). 3 1926.450(b), 1926.451(f)(7), 1926 Subpart L
OSHA regulations and accident investigation procedures pertaining to carnivals, amusement parks and water parks. 1 1975.3
Installation and use of doormats; adhering edges to concrete surfaces. 1 1910.22(a)(1)