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
Acceptability of using extensible boom forklifts to lift steel joist for spreading by hand 1926.757, 1926.602, 1926.602(c), 1926.602(c)(1), 1926.600
Evaluation of sutureless catheter securement devices to prevent needlestick hazards. 1910.1030(c), 1910.1030
Acceptable uses of flexible temporary cords/cables on construction sites. 1926.405, 1926.405(g), 1926.405(g)(1)(iii), 1926.405(g)(1)(iii)(B), 1926.405(g)(1)(i), 1926.405(g)(1)(i)(A), 1926.405(g)(1)(i)(B), 1926.405(g)(1)(i)(C), 1926.405(g)(1)(i)(D), 1926.405(g)(1)(i)(E), 1926.405(g)(1)(i)(F), 1926.405(g)(1)(i)(G), 1926.405(g)(1)(i)(H), 1926.449
Registered professional engineer approval requirements for manufactured trench protection systems deeper than 20 feet. 1926.652, 1926.652(c), 1926.652(c)(1), 1926.652(c)(2), 1926.652(c)(3), 1926.652(c)(4), 1926.652(b), 1926.650
Necessary precautions required to prevent entry into a swinging superstructure's radius. 1926.550, 1926.550(a), 1926.550(a)(9), 1926.21, 1926.21(b), 1926.21(b)(2)
Compliance of Purlin Glide to OSHA steel erection standards. 1926 Subpart R, 1926.754(e)(3)(i)
Requirements for developing sufficiently-detailed written procedures for all machinery/equipment lockout/tagout. 1910.147(c)(4)(ii), 1910.147(d)(1), 1910.147
Compliance of Master Plank scaffold planking with OSHA plank strength requirements. 1926.451, 1926.451(a), 1926.451(a)(1), 1926.451(a)(6), 1926.451(f), 1926.451(f)(16)
Clarification of "as free as practicable" and lead contamination under 29 CFR 1926.62. 1926.62, 1926.62(h)(1), 1926.62(i)(2)(i), 1926.62(i)(4)(ii)
Respiratory protection and emergency escape requirements for IDLH atmospheres. 1910.120, 1910.120(q)(3), 1910.134, 1910.134(g)(3), 1910.146, 1910.146(i), 1910.146(k)(1)
OSHA policy that federal officials not act as witnesses in private party litigation.
Applicability of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to the municipal solid waste industry. 1910.1030(b), 1910.1030(f), 1910.1030(c)(2)
Use of double-walled tanks as the only form of protection from collision damage. 1926.152, 1926.152(e), 1926.152(e)(4)
Plasma-derived products are considered "blood" within the meaning of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(a), 1910.1030(b)
Mortar testing requirements and controlling contractor responsibilities under the Steel Erection Standard 1926.752, 1926.752(a), 1926.752(a)(1), 1926.755(b)
Occupational exposure limits, access restrictions, and posting requirements for airborne radioactive materials. 1910.1096
Corrected Tables A and B for 1926 Subpart R, the Steel Erection Standard. 1926.757(c)(3)
Use of body harness verses body belt for fall protection when working from elevated powered industrial truck platforms. 1910.178
Fall protection requirements for employees working from a "work bridge" in concrete construction work 1926.450(b), 1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(4)(ii), 1926.701(b)
Sharps injury logs are intended to track departments, devices, and/or procedures causing injuries, not injured employees. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(h)(5)(i)(A), 1910.1030(h)(5)(i)(C)