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
OSHA requirement for updating Prescription Safety Glasses 1910.133(a)(3)
Clarification of the term "hydrocarbon" as used in the PSM standard. 1910.119
Labeling Nonpotable Water 1910.141(b)(2)(i)
Training requirements for mechanics repairing and/or testing pressure relief devices. 1910.119
Employers responsibilities under HCS 2012 to classify hazards and create SDSs for products whose manufacturers are no longer in business. 1910.1200
Transporting contaminated surgical instruments for cleaning 1910.1030(d)(2)(viii), 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii)
Fixed ladders inside wind turbine towers 1910.27, 1910.27(c)(1), 1910.27(c)(7), 1910.269(h)
Clarification on labeling and SDS requirements under HCS 2012. 1910.1200
Digester Piping Must Be Secured With Through Bolts 1910.261(g)(12)(ii)
Pictogram requirements for product labels under the revised Hazard Communication standard. 1910.1200
Guidance on Handling Cases Developed Pursuant to the FRC Enforcement Policy Memorandum. 1910.132, 1910.132(a)
Whether an LED type device ca be used for the isolation and deenergization verification requirements of 1910.147 and 1910.333. 1910.147
Is reassembly of a cylinder valve a mechanical integrity activity? 1910.119, 1910.119(j)(4)(iv)
Qualifications of designers and inspectors of tiered single-post concrete shoring. 1926.703(a)(1), 1926.703(b)(8)(i)
Powered Industrial Trucks Equipped with Flashing Lights and/or Back-up Beepers 1910.178
Minimum approach distances for conductive objects to exposed energized parts. 1910.269
Clarification of OSHA safety requirements between a temporary staffing agency and its client 1904.31, 1910.1200
Clarification of the lockout/tags-plus standard for maritime employment. 1915.80, 1915.81(b)(2), 1915.82, 1915.84, 1915.89, 1915.89(c)(7), 1915.89(k)(2), 1915.89(m)
Compatibility requirements of fall protection equipment from different manufacturers. 1926.502(d)(5), 1926.502(d)(6), 1926.502(e)(7), 1926.502(e)(8)
Audiograms to Retest Hearing for Threshold Shifts 1910.95