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
Emergency venting for portable tanks. 1910.106
Alloy Steel Chain Slings. 1910.184
Information on radial arm saw guards. 1910.265
The application of 29 CFR 1910.242(a) to hand-operated paper cutters (trimming boards). 1910.212, 1910.242
Allowable Airborne Concentrations of Mercury 1910.1000
Photo grey lens in relation to eye protection standards. 1910.133, 1910.268
Showers and lunch areas. 1910.141
"Extensible Ladders" and the requirement for "upper and lower" controls. 1910.67
The handling, storing, and using of Methylacetylene- Prepadiene, Stabilized (MPS) gas in below ground-level construction work. 1926.350
Personnel Protective Equipment - Steel Erection. 1926 - Table of Contents
Clarification of the requirements under the OSHA Standard 1910.166(c)(3)(i)(a) as opposed to the requirement of 1910.166(d)(1). 1910.166
Airborne mixtures containing less than 1.0 or 0.1 percent of a carcinogen are exempt 1910.1003, 1910.1016
Sewing machine guards. 1910.212
The use of hard hats in a warehouse operation. 1910.132, 1910.135
Electrostatic Paint Spraying. 1910.94, 1910.107
Whether liquified flammable gases are considered as included under the requirements of Flammable and Combustible Liquids. 1910.106
A variance from Machine Guarding, Point of Operation Guarding. 1910.212(a)(3)(iii)
Mills and calendars in the rubber and plastics industries. 1910.261(a)
Reconditioning of large crane hooks for overhead cranes. 1910.179
Use of Mapp gas, oxygen, and acetylene in a tunnel. 1926.155(j), 1926.800(c)