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 on when an instructor must be immediately available during a training program. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(N)
Clarification of mobile workers and sanitation facility requirements under HAZWOPER. 1910.120, 1910.120(n)(3), 1926.65 , 1926.65(n)(3), 1926.51(c)(4)
Clarification on whether a successor employer may establish a new baseline audiogram for employees of the former employer. 1910.95, 1910.95(g)(9), 1910.95(m)(5), 1910.95(h), 1904.34, 1904.10(a)
Clarification of OSHA's authority to enforce wheel chocking of commercial motor vehicles and related safety hazards at loading facilities. 1910.178, 1910.178(k)(1), 1910.178(l)(3), 1910.178(m)(7)
Clarification of the terms employee's working lifetime and first discovered.
Clarification of the terms most authoritative and pre-existing conditions as used for recordkeeping purposes. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5, 1904.5(b)(2)(ii), 1904.6, 1904.6(b)(3)
Handling of contaminated laundry in long-term care facilities. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(b), 1910.1030(f)(1)(i)
Safety hazards associated with wearing skirts in a restaurant setting. 1910.132
Interpretation of OSHA standard CFR 1926.757(a)(1) concerning the angle created by two members framing into a column 1926.757, 1926.757(a)(1)
Applicability of the hexavalent chromium standard to welders. 1910.1026, 1910.1026(h), 1910.1026(i)
ANSI standards regarding accident prevention signs and physical hazard marking. 1910.144, 1910.145, 1910.145(d)
Clarification on hot therapy as first aid. 1904.7
Federal requirements for the anchorages and connectors in personal fall arrest systems. 1926.502(d)
Can an employer establish a new baseline audiogram for an employee who was previously enrolled in the employer's hearing conservation program. 1910.95
OSHA construction standards applicable to specialized vehicles for hauling concrete sections in tunnel construction. 1926.601
NRTL requirements for gas-shielded arc welding equipment. 1910.303
Occupational exposure during the handling of deployed stun gun darts. 1910.1030
Concern about unclear traffic directing at highway construction areas and about laws to follow when the normal traffic control of a roadway is suspended. 1926.201
Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 1910.1030
Prevention of needlestick injuries caused by the improper removal of Taser darts 1910.1030