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
Posting requirements for the OSHA 300 Log and OSHA 300-A Summary Form. 4 1904, 1904.26, 1904.29, 1904.32
Clarification of several residential construction and fall protection issues. 5 1926.501(b)(1), 1926.501(b)(13), 1926.502(d), 1926.502(f)(2), 1926.502(k)
Additional fall protection requirements for concrete trucks when work platforms are equipped with guardrails and toeboards. 5 1910.21, 1910.21(a)(1), 1910.23, 1910.23(c)(1), 1926.500(b)
Fall protection requirements for construction workers doing work while on a roof 6 1926.501(b)(1), 1926.501(b)(10), 1926.501(b)(2), 1926.501(b)(12), 1926.501(b)(13), 1926.502(f)(2)
Requirement to use seat belts during the operation of earthmoving equipment. 8 1926 - Table of Contents, 1926.602, 1926.602(a), 1926.602(a)(1), 1926.602(a)(2), 1926.602(a)(2)(i), 1926.602(a)(2)(ii), 1926.28(a)
Field-bolted joist requirements for solid web structural steel members. 2 1926.757, 1926.757(a)(1)
"Threaded studs" are prohibited from being installed prior to decking when they project. 2 1926.754(c)(1), 1926.754(c)(1)(i)
Fixed industrial stair requirements for access to secondary containment structures surrounding bulk chemical storage tanks. 3 1910.24, 1910.24(b), 1910.27
Modifications or additions to a crane without manufacturer approval where the manufacturer is still in existence. 2 1926.550(a)(1), 1926.550(a)(16)
Review residential construction scenarios for alternative fall protection procedures. 3 1926.501, 1926.501(b)(13), 1926.502(k)
Substitution of phosphorescent helmets for retroflective garments does not meet high-visibility clothing requirements for flaggers. 3 1926.201, 1926.201(a), 1926.200(g)(2)
Life jacket and skiff requirements when working over or near water. 3 1926.106, 1926.106(d), 1926.106(a)
Permitted incidental storage of flammable or combustible liquids. 3 1910.106, 1910.106(e)(2)(i), 1910.106(e)(2)(ii)(b)
Electrical equipment grounding requirements on concrete floors. 4 1910.304, 1910.304(f)(5)(v)(C)(5), 1910.303(g)(1), 1910.399
Application of HAZWOPER (1910.120) to terrorist and weapons of mass destruction incident responses. 2 1910.120, 1910.120(q)
Compliance requirements for renovation work involving material containing less than 1% asbestos 13 1926.1101, 1926.1101(e), 1926.1101(f)(2), 1926.1101(f)(5), 1926.1101(f)(6), 1926.1101(g)(1), 1926.1101(g)(3), 1926.1101(g)(8)(ii), 1926.1101(k), 1926.1101(k)(7), 1926.1101(k)(8), 1926.1101(l)(1), 1926.1101(n)(2)
Building security measures and how they impact the ability of employees to exit a building during an emergency. 1 1910.35
Permissibility of the welding of joists over 40-feet in length, while the hoisting line is kept in place, instead of field bolting. 5 1926.757(a)(8), 1926.757(a)(8)(i), 1926.757(a)(8)(ii), 1926.757(b)(3), 1926.757(c)(2)
Clarification of maintenance vs. construction activities; standards applicable to the removal and replacement of steel tanks and structural steel supports. 8 1926.32(g), 1910.12(a), 1910.12(b), 1926.750(b)(1), 1926.750(b)(2), 1926.750(a), 1926.105, 1910.146
Requirements for attachable scaffold ladders used in construction; toe-hold minimum distance requirement. 9 1926.451(e), 1926.451(e)(2), 1926.451(e)(2)(i), 1926.451(e)(2)(ii), 1926.451(e)(2)(iii), 1926.451(e)(2)(iv), 1926.451(e)(2)(v), 1926.451(e)(2)(vi), 1926.1053(a)(13)