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
Clarification on determining if an injury or illness is work-related and the recordability of the administration of oxygen. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5
Steel erection concrete testing requirements and number of samples required to be taken 1926.752, 1926.752(a)(1)
Compliance requirements for relocatable power taps or "power strips" 1910.303(b)(2), 1910.303, 1910.304(b)(2), 1910.304, 1910.305(g)(1), 1910.305
Fall protection requirements for employees, other than roofers, working on low-slope roofs 1926.502, 1926.502(b), 1926.501, 1926.501(b), 1926.501(b)(10), 1926.501(b)(2), 1926.501(b)(12), 1926.501(b)(13), 1926.502(f), 1926.502(f)(2), 1926.500
Applicability of the steel erection standard to repair and installation of metal roofing and roofing accessories. 1926.502, 1926.502(d)(15)(i), 1926.502(d)(15)(ii), 1926.502(d)(15), 1926.750(a), 1926.750(b)(1), 1926.750(b)(2), 1926.751, 1926.753(c)(5), 1926.757(a)(4), 1926.757(e)(4), 1926.760(c), 1926.760(d)(2)
Additional clarification of using ANSI Z358.1 as guidance to comply with 1910.151(c). 1910.151(c)
Applicability of the steel erection standard to pre-cast concrete erection work; pre-planning of hoisting routes and procedures. 1926.550, 1926.550(a)(19)
Issuance of "unclassified" citations as a settlement tool. 2200.100
Use of aerial lift or scissor lift guardrails as a work or scaffold platform. 1926.450, 1926.502(d), 1926.451(b), 1926.451(b)(2)(ii), 1926.453(b)(2)(iv), 1926.451(a)(1), 1926.451(a)(6), 1926.451(f), 1926.502(d)(23), 1926.451(g)(1), 1926.452(w)
Field bolting and welding requirements for steel joist assembly 1926.757, 1926.757(b), 1926.757(b)(1), 1926.757(b)(2), 1926.757(b)(3), 1926.757(a)(8), 1926.757(c)(1), 1926.757(c)(2), 1926.757(a)(8)(i), 1926.757(a)(8)(ii)
Application of the bloodborne pathogens standard to veterinary clinics. 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)
Electrical standard requirements concerning covers for electrical pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings. 1926.405, 1926.405(b)(2), 1926.405(b)(3), 1926.405(b)(3)(ii), 1926.405(j)(1)(i)
Considerations for using a continuous-climb fixed ladder on a steel stack instead of ladder cages and platforms. 1910.27(d)(2), 1910.27(d)(5)
Use of ANSI C2-1997 as guidance for protecting employees working near insulated shielded conductors 1910.269(a)(1), 1910.269(u)(4), 1910.269(u)(5), 1910.269(v)(4), 1910.269(v)(5), 1910.303(g)(2), 1910.303(h)(2), 1910.335(a)(2)(ii), 1910.333
HAZWOPER safety and health plan requirements for Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments. 1910.120(b)(4), 1910.120(b)(4)(ii), 1910.120(d), 1910.120, 1926.21(b)(2)
Inspection and maintenance requirements for compressed natural gas storage cylinders; use of updated Compressed Gas Association pamphlets for guidance. 1910.101, 1910.101(a)
HAZWOPER medical examinations must be offered at a reasonable time and without cost to the employee 1910.120(f)(5), 1910.120
Inspection guidance for calculating the number of employees at an inspeciton site.
Respiratory protection, medical surveillance, and training requirements under HAZWOPER 1910.134(e), 1910.134(f), 1910.134, 1910.120, 1910.120(q)(6)(i), 1910.120(q)(6)(ii), 1910.120(q)(8)
Labeling requirements for packages used to ship blood or OPIM. 1910.1030(g)(1)(i), 1910.1030(d)(2)(xiii)