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
Permissibility of using average excavation depth to determine protective system requirements for the excavation. 1926.650, 1926.652(a)(1)(ii), 1926.652(a)(1), 1926.652(b), 1926.652(c)
Alternatives to common back-up alarms on construction motor vehicles; use of other effective technology or observers/signal persons. 1926.601, 1926.601(b), 1926.601(b)(4), 1926.601(b)(4)(i), 1926.601(b)(4)(ii), 1926.602, 1926.602(a), 1926.602(a)(9), 1926.602(a)(9)(ii)
OSHA's web site postings of settlement agreements, citations, and proposed penalties for inspections are public information subject to the disclosure pursuant to the FOIA. 2200.100(c)
Applicable standards for telecommunications non-industry specific operations, e.g., retail, call center, warehouse, and administrative locations. 1910.268, 1910.268(a), 1910 - Table of Contents, 1910.5(c), 1910.268(a)(3), 1910.268(g)(1), 1910.268(n)(7), 1910.268(n)(8)
Regulations concerning the size and use of safety traffic cones in General Industry. 1910.145
Bloodborne Pathogens Standard as it relates to contaminated laundry, sharps containers, and the Hepatitis B vaccine in fitness centers. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(a), 1910.1030(b), 1910.1030(c)(2), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iv)(A), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iv)(A)(1)
Protection of employees from exposure to live electrical parts with plastic switch plates/receptacle cover and non-conductive screws. 1926.405(j)(1)(i), 1926.416(a)(1), 1926.404(f)(7)(i)
Fall protection requirements for employees working from a slide-out extension of a scissor lift platform. 1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(1)
Powered industrial trucks must not be placed into service, or must be removed from service, when any condition exists that adversely affects the safety of the vehicle 1910.178, 1910.178(p)(1), 1910.178(q)(7)
Recommendations for preventing prolonged suspension in personal fall protection systems. 1910 Subpart D, 1910 Subpart I
Responsibility of the employer and manufacturer to present consistent information between the labels and material safety data sheets. 1910.1200
OSHA has no specific standard on autoclaving used medical instruments. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(2)(viii)
Limiting factors for implementing the use of engineering controls, i.e., safety scalpels, under the Bloodborne Pathogens standard. 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv), 1910.1030(c)(1)(v), 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B), 1910.1030(d)(2)(i)
Recordability of a fatal traffic accident in a foreign project location. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5(b)(6)
Use of glue to close a wound is medical treatment; prescription antibiotics/antiseptics for preventive treatment of a wound is medical treatment. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)
Payment for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is required to be provided by 1910.132. 1910.132
Requirements for compressive-strength testing of concrete and mortar in a masonry wall during steel erection. 1926.752, 1926.752(a), 1926.752(a)(1)
Employees are not permitted to erect roof trusses/rafters while working from the exterior top plate. 1926.501(b)(13), 1926.501(b)(13)(a), 1926.501(b)(13)(b)
Life jacket/buoyant work vest requirements for employees working over water <2 feet deep; requirements for lifesaving skiffs. 1926.106(a), 1926.106(d)
Acceptability of using computer-based (on-line) training for the HAZWOPER 40-hour classroom training. 1910.120, 1910.120(e)