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
Compliance of shop-installed steel angle or bent plates running along the length of the top flange of a perimeter beam. 2 1926.754, 1926.754(c)(1)(i)
Gas cylinder carts with patented engineered steel fire barriers compliance with 1926.350(a)(10). 2 1926.350, 1926.350(a)(10)
Appendix A to CPL 02-00-051, Enforcement Exemptions and Limitations under the Appropriations Act 0
Use of portable ladders on tank builder's scaffolds during scaffold dismantling process in construction. 12 1926.450, 1926.451, 1926.451(e), 1926.451(e)(2), 1926.451(e)(9), 1926.451(e)(9)(i), 1926.451(e)(9)(ii), 1926.451(f), 1926.451(f)(15), 1926.451(f)(15)(iii), 1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(2)
Logging operations standard (1910.266) applies to all types of logging activity, regardless of end use and regardless if it results in a commercial product 2 1910.266, 1910.266(b)(1)
Employer's responsibility to re-evaluate engineering controls, i.e., safer needle devices, at least annually. 4 1910.1030, 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv), 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(A), 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B)
Employer's responsibility to provide bloodborne pathogens training to lifeguards. 3 1910.1030, 1910.1030(g)(2), 1910.1030(h)(2)
Bloodborne Pathogens Standard application to small healthcare facilities and the annual review of the Exposure Control Plan. 5 1910.1030, 1910.1030(c)(1)(ii), 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv), 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(A), 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B)
Standards applicable to an automatic transfer device for processing and moving product. 4 1910.179, 1910 Subpart D, 1910 Subpart S, 1910 Subpart O
Evaluation of seven scenarios for work-relatedness and recordkeeping requirements. 5 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5, 1904.6, 1904.7, 1904.31
Requirements for leaving construction vehicles unattended and running on an off-highway job-site. 2 1926.600, 1926.600(a)(3)(ii)
Determining work-relatedness when the work event or exposure is only one of the discernable causes; not the sole or predominant cause. 3 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5, 1904.6
Evaluation of shop-installed angle iron on the top beam flange in Steel Erection. 2 1926.754(c)(1), 1926.754(c)(1)(i)
Fall protection requirements for stairwells and mechanical chase openings surrounded by interior stud walls in residential construction 6 1926.501, 1926.500(b), 1926.501(b)(14), 1926.501(b)(4)(i), 1926.501(b)(4)(ii), 1926.502(i)
Designation of an entire floor as a controlled decking zone for steel decking work. 4 1926.760, 1926.760(c), 1926.760(c)(3), 1926.760(c)(5)
Registered professional engineer approval requirements for combination trench shield and sloping system trenches with a depth greater than 20 feet. 6 1926.650(b), 1926.652, 1926.652(a), 1926.652(b), 1926.652(b)(3), 1926.652(b)(4)
Process safety information for ventilation system design. 3 1910.119, 1910.119(d)(3)(i), 1926.64(d)(3)(i)
Application of the asbestos standard and labeling requirements to gaskets or packings containing >1% asbestos. 3 1910.1001, 1926.1101(k)(8)(vi)(A), 1910.1001(j)(6)(i)
Posting requirements for the OSHA 300 Log and OSHA 300-A Summary Form. 4 1904, 1904.26, 1904.29, 1904.32
Elements necessary for a violation of the General Duty Clause. 0