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.

Filters


Date Title Standard Number
Interpretation regarding completion of the OSHA 101 Supplementary Record. 1904 - Table of Contents
Letter requesting interpretation of the OSHA electrical standards as they apply to employees using insulated hand tools 1910.269, 1910.333, 1910.335
Variance exposure level for silver metal. 1910.134, 1910.1000
The Effect of the 1904 Rulemaking Effort on the De Minimis Citation Policy. 1904 - Table of Contents
Pressure testing using compressed air. 1926.350(c)(2), 1926.350(c)(3)
Electrical generators in hospitals and the control of hazardous energy. 1910.147
Worker protection for employees incinerating hazardous waste on cement plant property. 1910.119, 1910.120, 1910.1200
Interpretation for questions related to compliance with NFPA 33 (1995 edition). 1910.107
IDLH values. 1910.120, 1926.65
Employee Emergency Plans and Fire Prevention standard;Portable Fire Extinguishers standard; Electrical Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution standard. 1910.22, 1910.38, 1910.157, 1910.180, 1910.269
Bloodborne Pathogens Standard at the Institutions. 1910.1030
OSHA Guidelines for Medical Practices. 1910.1030
The work practices of truck drivers at loading docks. 1910.178
Information on temporary workers, particularly those in the electronic assembly industry. 1926.20, 1926.21, 1910.1200, 1926.59
Information on temporary workers in the electronic assembly industry and office workers. 1910.1200, 1926.59
Joint Investigations with EPA.
Permanent Variance Requirements for Self-Feed Circular Ripsaws. 1910.213
OSHA's Permit-required Confined Spaces Standard. 1910.146
The "gas caddy" and OSHA's Flammable and Combustible Liquids Standard. 1910.106
Tuberculosis: respiratory protection and complaint inspection. 1910.134