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.

Date	Title	Standard Number
11/05/1984	Review of permissible radiation exposure levels	1910.1096
11/02/1984	Safeguarding of floor holes between platforms and equipment.	1910.21(a)(1), 1910.23
11/02/1984	Strength criteria for guardrail and stairway systems.	1926.500
10/30/1984	Clarification concerning allowable drilling distance between loaded holes for a blasting operation.	1926.905, 1926.905(h), 1926.905(i)
10/29/1984	Blood-lead level requirements and medical removal protection provisions of the lead standard.	1910.1025
10/22/1984	Redrilling Seismic Shotholes For The Purpose of Plugging the Hole to Protect Groundwater.	1926.905
10/11/1984	Facial hair in the face sealing area is unacceptable.	1910.134(g)(1)(i), 1910.134(g)(1)(ii), 1910.134(g)(1)(iii)
10/10/1984	Health problems probably not due to ionizing radiation exposure.	1910.1096(b)(1)
10/10/1984	Information on hazards of dry photocopiers	1910.1000, 1910.1000 TABLE Z-1
10/09/1984	Fixed ladder protection and safe entry into storm sewer manholes.	1910.27(d)(2), 1910.27(d)(5)
10/04/1984	Review of testing requirements for rubber insulating equipment.	1910.268(f)(5)
10/04/1984	Hazards requiring foot protection and criteria for protective footwear.	1910.132(a)
10/02/1984	Interpretation of 1926.652, Table P-2	1926.652
09/26/1984	Interpretation of OSHA Instruction STD 3-3.1.	1926.105(a)
09/25/1984	Requirements for alternate warning methods, delays between filling and labeling a chemical container, and label identification of mixtures under HCS.	1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(f)(4), 1910.1200(f)(5), 1910.1200(g)
09/25/1984	The standard does not regulate the manufacture of equipment such as a safety block with a retractable steel wire.	1926.104
09/24/1984	Hazards of exposure to waste anesthetic gases, particularly fluothane
09/18/1984	Ball-type handrail system.	1926.500
09/18/1984	Clarification of Citing for Alleged Violations of Employees Not Using Appropriate Eye or Face Protection in the Construction Industry.	1926.28, 1926.102
09/14/1984	Relationship between the hazard communication standard and the Department of Defense's requirement for safeguarding classified information.	1910.1200

Letters of Interpretation

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