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
05/25/2011	Residential Contruction; 1926.501(b)(3), fall protection or metal stud walls around stairwells.	1926.501, 1926.501(b)(13)
05/24/2011	Toprail height requirements for pump jack scaffolds.	1926.451, 1926.451(g)(4), 1926.452, 1926.452(j)
05/20/2011	Clarification on whether an exercise regime is first aid or medical treatment	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7
05/19/2011	Hand protection selection/usage while handling bacterial culture plates in a laboratory.	1910.1030
05/16/2011	Clarification of the Applicability of 29 CFR 1910.272(g) or (h) During Grain Storage Structure Entry Operations.	1910.272, 1910.272(g), 1910.272(h)
05/16/2011	Clarification on when a worker may be inside a grain storage bin while a sweep auger is operating.	1910.272, 1910.272(g)(1)(ii), 1910.272(g)(6)
05/16/2011	Providing the hepatitis B vaccine to companion-sitters who may provide first aid as a collateral duty.	1910.1030, 1910.1030(f)(2), 1910.1030(f)(1)(ii)(D)
05/12/2011	Applicability of the Hazard Communication standard to DEF tank operations.	1910.1200, 1910.1200(d)(3), 1910.1200(h)(3), 1910.1200(g)(8)
05/09/2011	Clarification on when hard hats can be worn with bill facing to the rear.	1926.100, 1926.100(a)
04/26/2011	Clarification on the use of smoke escape hoods/masks by area monitors during a building evacuation.	1910.134
04/22/2011	Distance at which fall protection is required for steel erection activities.	1926.760, 1926.760(a), 1926.760(c)
04/18/2011	Clarification on recordability when trigger point injections are used for medical treatment and for diagnostic procedures	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7
04/15/2011	Requirements for including a manufacturer's occupational exposure limit (OEL) on a material safety data sheet (MSDS).	1910.1200, 1910.1200(g)(2)(i)(C)(1), 1910.1200(g)(2)(vi)
04/08/2011	OSHA policy on the containerization and disposal of specimen containers used for urine collection in medical settings.	1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)
04/01/2011	Clarification on firefighters with facial hair who enter IDLH atmospheres and use a self-contained breathing apparatus.	1910.134, 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A)
03/31/2011	Flame-resistant and flame-retardant treated clothing for oil and gas well drilling, servicing, and production-related operations	1910.132, 1910.132(a), 1910.106, 1910.119
03/31/2011	Supply shortages of flame resistant clothing (FRC) for oil and gas well drilling	1910.132
03/29/2011	Rapid test methods for determining HCV infectivity.	1910.1030
03/25/2011	Requirement for neck protection when using power saws.	1910.243
03/22/2011	Recording an absence as days away when PLHCP recommends the employee return to work.	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7

Letters of Interpretation

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