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
Garment color specifications for flagmen; requirements for traffic signs and barricades. 1926.201(a)(4), 1926.200(g), 1926.202
Powered industrial truck training: different types of trucks. 1910.178(l)
Securing of a platform (metal decking) on a manually propelled scaffold. 1926.451, 1926.452(w)(6)
Fall protection and foot protection for power line workers. 1910.269(g), 1910.132
Training of workers who are not "qualified persons" under 1910.269. 1910.269(a)(2)(ii), 1910.269(x)
U.S. Postal Service's equivalent to the OSHA 200 form. 1904.2(a)
Documentation included/exempted in medical records;medical and injury/illness record retention times. 1910.1020(c)(6), 1910.1020(d)(1)(i)
One MSDS may apply to multiple complex mixtures having similar hazards. 1910.1200(g)(4)
Fixed ladder requirements for ski lift towers. 1910.27, 1910.27(d)(1)(ii), 1910.27(d)(5)
Access and working space requirements for electric equipment (600V or less). 1910.303(g)(1)(i)
Applicability of the Laboratory Standard; MSDS and labeling requirements. 1910.1450(a), 1910.1200(g), 1910.1200(f)(1)
Requirements for attachable ladders used for scaffold access. 1926.451(e)(2)
Training qualifications for the competent person inspecting scaffolds. 1926.451(f)(3), 1926.450(b), 1926.454
Shutdown and restoration of power to equipment for a phase-to-ground condition. 1910.305(j)(4)(iii), 1910.137, 1910.333
Asbestos: notification requirements and exposure monitoring. 1910.1001(j)(1), 1910.1001(j)(8)(iii), 1910.1001(j)(2)(i)
Substituting portable toilets for water closets may be a de minimis violation. 1910.141(a)(1), 1910.141(c)(1)(i), 1910.141(d)
Vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms standard. 1910.67
OSHA's position on the risk associated with asbestos exposure at the current PEL. 1910.1000(c), 1926.1101(c)
Respirators for silica dust must be selected based on exposure levels. 1910.134(a)(1), 1910.134(a)(2)
Maintenance vs. construction; working from fixed ladders. 1910.12, 1926.1053(a)(18), 1926.1053(a)(19), 1926.1053(b)(4)