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
First Aid program requirements where a medical facility is near the workplace. 1910.151
Platforms and ladders on communication towers. 1910.23, 1910.27
OSHA jurisdiction over employees working in an Indian reservation clinic. 1975.4(b)(3)
Variance request on conditions surrounding a citation under litigation. 1926.556
Recording TB related cases on the OSHA 200 log. 1904 - Table of Contents
Request for approval of guardrail system. 1926.500
Health and safety plans for hazardous waste operations & emergency response. 1910.120
Construction industry general duty clause, and the bloodborne pathogens standard. 1910.1030
Operation and maintenance of railway cranes.
Distance reinforcing steel can protrude before guarding is required. 1926.701
Use of compressed air when cleaning arsenic and lead contaminated surfaces 1910.1018(k)(2), 1910.1025(h)(2)
McDermott, Inc/Gates Construction Co. inspection workers considered as seamen. 1915.2(b)
Engine cut off switch for an elevated work platform. 1910.178
Rulings or requirements for employees in the electrical trade to wear steel-toe shoes. 1910.333
Use of temporary vertical ladders. 1926.1053(b)(5)(i)
Iron oxides as used in pigment coloring operations. 1910.1200(d)(1)
Hazardous waste operations and emergency response lapsed refresher training requirements. 1910.120
Exposures to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) in lighting equipment. 1910.1000
Navy gas free engineering program and related failure to abate citation. 1915.7, 1915.14
Customer safety in restaurants not covered by OSHA. 1975.3