Letters of Interpretation | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

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
05/03/2004	The upper rails and end caps of self-supporting ladders are not required to be slip-resistant.	2	1926.1053, 1926.1053(b)(7)
04/27/2004	Rescue of a suspended worker following a fall event.	3	1910.268, 1910.269, 1910.269(b)(1)(ii)
04/27/2004	Retention of exposure and audiometric testing records by successor employers.	3	1910.95, 1910.95(m)(5), 1910.95(m)(3)
04/21/2004	Composition, span, and deflection of underslung bridge scaffold platform systems.	3	1926.451, 1926.451(f)(16), 1926.450
04/21/2004	Evaluation of the Jax Scaffold System.	3	1926.451, 1926.451(g)(4)(vii), 1926.451(a)
04/20/2004	Clarification from OSHA regarding the use of the NeedleguardTM in a hospital environment.	5	1910.1030, 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv), 1910.1030(c)(1)(v), 1910.1030(d)(2)(i), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)
04/20/2004	Alternative fall protection for leading edge work during precast concrete erection.	3	1926.501(b), 1926.501(b)(12), 1926.502(k)
04/14/2004	No person is allowed to stand or pass under the elevated portion of any powered industrial truck.	2	1910.178, 1910.178(m)(2)
04/07/2004	Printing Industry: Lock Out/Tag Out and the essential elements of the inch-safe-service technique	4	1910.147, 1910.147(f)(1), 1910.147(a)(2)(ii), 1910.147(a)(3)(ii)
04/05/2004	Acceptability of locking switches in the closed (on) position for transformers attached to the main bus duct system.	2	1910.304(d)(1), 1910.399
04/05/2004	Minimum distance between supports for temporary electrical wiring.	1	1926.405
04/05/2004	Blood lead laboratories are not required to report the OSHA levels at which additional employer obligations are triggered under the lead standards.	2	1910.1025, 1926.62
04/02/2004	Requirement to use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for workers performing construction work over or near water does not specify type or classification.	2	1926.106, 1926.106(a)
03/31/2004	Fixed Wiring in Research Facilities and High Voltage Cable Tray Systems at Department of Energy (DOE) Research Laboratories	9	1910.305(a), 1910.305(a)(2), 1910.305(a)(2)(iii)(B), 1910.305(a)(3), 1910.305(b), 1910.305(g)(1), 1910.305(g)(1)(i), 1910.305(g)(1)(iii), 1910.399
03/30/2004	Removal of regulators and use of valve protection caps when hoisting compressed gas cylinders	3	1926.350, 1926.350(a), 1926.350(a)(6)
03/30/2004	Written approval requirements for powered industrial truck modifications and additions that affect capacity or safe operation	2	1910.178, 1910.178(a)(4)
03/29/2004	Compliance of type SJTW flexible cords with 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(J) and use on construction sites.	2	1926.405, 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(J)
03/29/2004	Fit testing is not required for employees not exposed to a hazardous atmosphere and not required to wear a respirator.	2	1910.134, 1910.134(f)
03/29/2004	OSHA does not have standards limiting maximum weight employees can lift/carry.	0
03/25/2004	Fall protection requirements for pump jack scaffold railings.	5	1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(1), 1926.451(g)(2), 1926.451(g)(4), 1926.452(j)