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 |
|---|---|---|
| Approved Lifting Devices and Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers | 1910.180(h)(2)(ii), 1910.180(h)(3)(i)(b) | |
| Determining if injuries or illnesses are work-related when involved in a motor vehicle accident | 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5 | |
| Application of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed noise reduction rating (subject fit) (NRR (SF)) | 1910.95, 1910.95(j)(1), 1910.95(j)(2), 1910.95(j)(3) | |
| Respiratory protection against COVID-19 for employees with religiously mandated facial hair | 1910.134, 1910.134(d)(1), 1910.502, 1910.502(f)(2)(i), 1910.502(f)(3)(i), 1910.504, 1910.504(d)(2)(ii) | |
| Safety of Compressed Gas Cylinders on Portable Carts | 1910.101 - Index, 1910.101(b), 1910.102(a), 1910.253(b)(3)(ii), 1910.253(b)(5)(ii)(D), 1910.253(b)(5)(iii)(A), 1910.253(b)(5)(iii)(B), 1926.350(a)(7), 1926.350(a)(9), 1926.350(b)(3), 1926.350(j) | |
| Permit Required Confined Space Isolation | 1910.146(b), 1926.1202 | |
| OSHA Noise PEL and extended workshifts | 1910.95(a), 1910.95(b)(1), 1910.95(b)(3) | |
| Single HCS Compliant Shipping Label that includes DOT and/or State Requirements | 1910.1200(f)(1), 1910.1200(f)(3), 1910.1200 App C | |
| Energy Isolation Device Requirements | 1910.147(b) | |
| Fixed Ladders, Rest Platforms, Personal Fall Protection, Ladder Safety Systems, Ladder Cages and Wells | 1910.28, 1910.29 | |
| Fall Protection Requirements for Fixed Ladders | 1910.23(b)(12), 1910.23(b)(13), 1910.28(b)(9), 1910.29(b), 1910.29(g)(3), 1910.29(g)(4) | |
| Heat Initiative: Inspection Guidance | 1904.7(b)(5), 1910.132, 1910.134, 1910.141, 1910.1020, 1915.88, 1917.127, 1918.95, 1926.20, 1926.21, 1926.51, 1928.110 | |
| Trip and Emergency Switches on Mills and Calenders | 1910.216, 1910.212(a)(3)(iv)(e), 1910.212(a)(3)(iv)(i), 1910.216(e), 1910.216(f)(1), 1910.216(f)(2), 1910.216(f)(3), 1910.147 | |
| Use of generic safety data sheets and consumer products | 1910.1200(b)(6)(ix), 1910.1200(g), 1910.1200(g)(4) | |
| NRTL Certification for New Product Design | 1910.7, 1910.178, 1910.6, 1910.6(e)(29), 1910.140, 1910.155(c)(3)(iv)(A) | |
| Application of OSHA’s HAZWOPER standard to homeless camp cleanup operations | 1910.120, 1910.120(a)(1)(iii), 1910.120(a)(2)(i), 1910.120(a)(3) | |
| Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | 1910.132, 1910.134, 1910.141, 1910.145, 1910.1020 | |
| Coverage of lithium-ion batteries under the Hazard Communication standard | 1910.1200, 1910.1200(b)(1), 1910.1200(b)(5)(v), 1910.1200(b)(6)(v), 1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(d)(1) | |
| Group Lockout or Tagout | 1910.147(f)(3) | |
| Enforcement Procedures for Failure to Submit Electronic Illness and Injury Records under 29 CFR 1904.41(a)(1) and (a)(2) | 1904.41, 1904.41(a)(1), 1904.41(a)(2) |