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
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 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)
Needle destruction device use as an engineering control for the Bloodbore Pathogens standard. 1910.1030(d)(2)(i), 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv), 1910.1030(b)
Vapor areas must be limited; concentrations must remain below 25% of the substances' lower flammable limit 1910.124, 1910.124(b)(1), 1910.124(b)(4)(ii), 1910.123(d)
There are no specific OSHA standards or requirements applicable to overhead doors. 1910.34, 1910.36, 1910.37, 1910 - Table of Contents, 1926 - Table of Contents, 1910.12
Respiratory protection requirements for hospital staff decontaminating chemically contaminated patients. 1910.120, 1910.134, 1910.134(c), 1910.132, 1910.132(d), 1910.132(d)(2), 1910.120(q), 1910.120(q)(3), 1910.120(q)(3)(iv)
Color is not the only prescribed factor for the standardization of LOTO devices. 1910.147, 1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(B)
Application of the Asbestos Standard to the removal of ACM debris and intact material. 1926.1101(b), 1926.1101(g)
Application of the asbestos standard to demolition of buildings with ACM in place. 1926.1101(g)(1)(ii), 1926.1101(g)(6), 1926.1101(g)(8)(vi), 1926.1101(k)(8)(i), 1926.1101(k)(8)(iii), 1926.1101(k)(9), 1926.1101(l)(2), 1926.1101(o)(4)
Universal precautions application to elective surgeries. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(2)(xi)
Acceptable use of an electronic medical questionnaire system to comply with 1910.134(e). 1910.134(e), 1910.134 App C
Rigging equipment for material handling; custom-designed accessories. 1926.251(a)(4)
Clarification of steel erection joist field-bolting requirements in 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart R. 1926.757(a)(8), 1926.757(a)(8)(i), 1926.757(a)(8)(ii), 1926.757(b)(1), 1926.757(b)(2), 1926.757(c)(2)
Applicability of certain ANSI standards to a robotic assembly process and robotic machinery.
Applicable OSHA standards and safety considerations for microwave device use in a laboratory 1910.1450, 1910.1450(e)(3)(vii), 1910.97, 1910.303(b)(2), 1910.399, 1910.106, 1910.1000
Use of liquid bandages on wounds is considered first aid. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(D)
Request for an interpretation regarding the applicability of 1926.800 to the Fort Point Channel Crossing Immersed Tube. Tunnel. 1926.800, 1926.800(a)(1), 1926.800(k)(4), 1926.800(d)