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
Employers must provide exposed employees access to their medical and exposure records. 1910.1020(d), 1910.1020(e)
Application of 1926.451(b)(3)(ii) to "Drivit" (synthetic stucco) systems. 1926.451(b)(3)(ii)
Fall protection: determination of roof width on irregular shaped roofs. 1926.501(b)(10), 1926.502(h)
Hoists for suspension scaffolds must be tested by a qualified testing laboratory. 1926.451, 1926.449
Acceptable use of load-limiting clutches as upper and/or lower limit devices. 1910.179
PR 600 Mobile Fall Protection System. 1926.502
Labeling requirements under the HAZCOM and Laboratory standards;use of safe needle devices. 1910.1200(f), 1910.1450(h)(1)(i), 1910.1030(d)(2)(i)
Roofing material vendors must provide employee fall protection. 1926.501
Ergonomics standard requirements concerning initial program evaluation. 1910.900(c)
Engineering controls must be used to prevent needlesticks where feasible. 1910.1030(d)(2)(i), 1910.1030(d)(2)(viii)
Thomas' MAPP gas glass mold heat processes fall within the PSM hydrocarbon fuels exemption. 1910.119(a)(1)(ii)(A)
Application of a cold compress on a second or subsequent medical visit is recordable. 1904.12(e)
Clarification of system operator exclusive control provisions. 1910.269(d)(8)(ii), 1910.269(d)(8)(v), 1910.269(x)
Applicability of OSHA's LOTO standards; isolation and verification procedures. 1910.147, 1910.333(b), 1910.399
ROPS: de minimis policy for use of 1994 SAE standard. 1926.1001(h)
Pump jack scaffolds must be braced at their bottom. 1926.452(j)(2), 1926.450(b)
Application of the Confined Spaces Advisor to construction; personal fall arrest system requirements. 1926.21(b)(6)(i), 1926.353(b), 1926.502(d), 1926.651(g), 1926.800, 1926.956, 1910.146(a)
Guard requirements for concrete mixers with loading skips. 1926.300(b)(3), 1926.300(b)(4), 1926.702(b)
Hepatitis B vaccination requirements for employees providing first aid as a collateral duty. 1910.1030(f)(2), 1960 - Table of Contents
OSHA does not regulate design specifications for splicing plates on roof trusses.