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
Clarification of Fire Protection, Exit Routes, and Hazardous Material Standards. 1910.38, 1910.157, 1910.38(e), 1910.157(g)(1)
Status and applicability of Thiram standards in Washington and Oregon. 1910.1000
Building Anchors Used for Intermittent Stabilization of a Suspended Powered Platform in Window Washing Operations and Light Building Maintenance. 1910.66
Life Safety Code. 1910.39
Tennessee's fire protection standard. 1910.156(a)(2)
Use of pin connected work platforms on your rough terrain cranes. 1926.556
Appropriate Citing for Guardrails used in Concrete Forming. 1926.500(d)(1)
Utilization of a Stop Time Measuring Instrument for Verification of Compliance With 29 CFR 1910.217. 1910.217
The wearing of photo-grey safety lenses. 1910.133
A clarification of several items in Subpart L of the General Industry Safety and Health Standards. 1910.158
OSHA telecommunications standards. 1910.268
Requirements that all walking and working surfaces be kept clean, orderly, and in a sanitary condition. 1910.22
Wearing of contact lenses while welding 1910.133(a)(3)
Clarification of the classification of the aquaculture industries for OSHA enforcement purposes. 1928 - Table of Contents
Enforcement criteria for lead monitoring requirements of recirculated air. 1910.1025(e)(4)(ii)
Interpretation of 1910.157. 1910.157
The chromic acid and chromates standard is an 8-hour TWA, not a ceiling. 1910.1000
Standards for flammable and combustible liquids used in industrial plant mixing operations. 1910.106(e), 1910.106(e)(1)(i)(b), 1910.106(e)(3)
Personnel Hoists. 1926.552(c)(3)
Ship's ladders in restricted spaces considered de minimis violations. 1910.24(e)