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.

NOTICE:

How to Request a Letter of Interpretation

Filters


Date Title Standard Number
Revised Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Enforcement Guidance on Decontamination of Filtering Facepiece Respirators in Healthcare During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic 1910.134, 1910.134(d)(1)(ii)
Discretion in Enforcement when Considering an Employer's Good Faith Efforts During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic 1910.95(g)(6), 1910.119(e)(6), 1910.120(e)(8), 1910.120(p)(7), 1910.120(q)(5), 1910.120(q)(7), 1910.134(f)(2), 1910.134(k), 1910.1048(l)(4), 1919.15, 1926.1412(f)
Expanded Temporary Enforcement Guidance on Respiratory Protection Fit-Testing for N95 Filtering Facepieces in All Industries During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic 1910.134, 1910.134(f)(2)
Enforcement Guidance for Respiratory Protection and the N95 Shortage Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic 1910.134(d)(1)(ii), 1910.134(f)(2), 1910.134 App B-1
Enforcement Guidance for Use of Respiratory Protection Equipment Certified under Standards of Other Countries or Jurisdictions During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic 1910.134(f)(2)
Cyanide Antidotes 1910.126(e), 1910.151, 1910.151(a), 1910.1000
Temporary Enforcement Guidance - Healthcare Respiratory Protection Annual Fit-Testing for N95 Filtering Facepieces During the COVID-19 Outbreak 1910.134(d)(1)(ii)
Tagging transmission lines covered under, 1910.269(m)(3)(ii) 1910.269(m), 1910.269(m)(3), 1910.269(m)(3)(ii)
Sunglasses for welders in shipyard employment 1915.152(f)(2), 1915.152(f)(4)(ii), 1915.153 - Index, 1915.153(a)(1), 1915.153(a)(4), 1915.153(b)
Personal Fall Arrest System or Ladder Safety System on Fixed Ladders, and Fixed Ladders Used on Grain Silos for Emergency Escape 1910.23(a)(1), 1910.28(b)(9)(i)(B)
Use of Zipstitich and Clozex to close a wound is medical treatment beyond first-aid. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)
Regarding the applicability of construction standards to certain commercial sign installation activities 1926.32, 1926.1427
Heights of Handrail and Stair Rail Systems 1910.29(f)(1)(i), 1910.29(f)(1)(ii)(B), 1910.29(f)(1)(iii)(A)
Updates to PHA Extended Shutdown Facility 1910.119(e)(6)
Retention of Spirometry Records 1910.1020(c)(6)(i)(B), 1910.1020(b)(3), 1910.1020(d), 1910.1053, 1910.1053(i)(6), 1926.1153, 1926.1153(h)(6), 1910.134(e)(6)(i)
Precautionary statements in Hazard Communication standard 1910.1200, 1910.1200 App C
Use of Music Headphones on Construction Sites 1926.52, 1926.101
Shipping Labels for Blood Contaminated Medical Devices 1910.1030(d)(2)(xiv)(A), 1910.1030(g)(1)(i)(H)
Cleanup of blood from crime or accident scenes and HAZWOPER training requirements 1910.120, 1910.120(a)(3), 1910.120(e)(3), 1910.120(e)(4), 1910.120(q)(6), 1910.120(q)(11), 1910.1030