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
Baseline audiogram requirements for re-hire of past employee. 1910.95(g)(5), 1904.2
Exceptions to minimum approach distances for power generation, transmission and distribution 1910.269(l)(2), 1910.269(l)(3)
Use of electric floor buffer with rotating blade attachment to remove asbestos-containing mastic. 1926.1101(g)(8), 1926.1101(b)
NRTL certification for electrically-operated sewer inspection equipment. 1910.303(a), 1910.307
Powered industrial truck examinations do not have to be documented. 1910.178(q)(7)
Injuries resulting from epileptic seizures at work are recordable. 1904.2
Recordability of injuries during employee exercise;restricted workday clarification. 1904.2, 1904.12
Responsible party for MSDSs and labelling of imported chemicals. 1910.1200(g)(2)(xii), 1910.1200(g)(5), 1910.1200(f)(1)(iii), 1910.1200(f)(11)
Video Display Terminals (VDTs) and Radiation 1910.1096
Use of tagout device attachments not meeting 50-pound unlocking strength requirements. 1910.269(d)(3)(ii)(D), 1910.269(d)(6)(iv)(B)
Fall protection requirements for fixed and portable ladders in construction. 1926.1053(a)(19), 1926.1053(a)(18), 1926.502(d)(16)(iii), 1926.1050(b)
OSHA policies concerning employees working at home. 1904.14, 1910.1200(g), 1910.147, 1910.146, 1910.132
Fall protection required for employees riding in aerial lifts. 1926.453
Grounding requirements for equipment connected by cord and plug. 1910.304(f)(5)(v), 1910.304(a)(3)
PSM coverage of oil and gas production and separation facilities. 1910.119(a), 1926.64(a)
Do not record lost workdays for injured employees able to resume work. 1904.12(f)
Use of Monitored Power Systems for lockout/tagout. 1910.147(b), 1910.147(c)(1), 1910.147(a)(2)(ii)
Injury and illness recordability: lung cancer death; carbon monoxide poisoning; hearing loss. 1904.2, 1904.12
Injuries/illnesses from voluntary physical exams at work may be recordable. 1904.2
OSHA injury/illness recordabity must not impact medical treatment provided. 1904.2