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
Can a person who qualifies as a "competent" person under one section of support P also qualify as a competent designer of structural ramps under 1926.651(c)(1)(i)?. 1926.650(b), 1926.651(c)(1)(i), 1926.652(b), 1926.652(b)(2), 1926.652(b)(4)
Clarification of OSHA requirements pertaining to winding stairway systems. 1910.23, 1910.23(d)(1), 1910.23(e)(1), 1910.23(e)(2), 1910.24, 1910.24(e), 1910.24(h)
Acceptability of rounding laboratory-reported percentages of bulk asbestos analyses by point-counting to the nearest whole-number percent. 1910.1001, 1910.1001(j)(8)(ii)(B), 1926.1101, 1926.1101(k)(5)(ii)(B)
Therapeutic exercise is considered medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7
Multi-Employer obligations with respect to electrical cords. 1903 - Table of Contents
Whether use of personal protective equipment is mandatory when working under heat stress conditions. 1910.132, 1910.137, 1910.335, 1910.335(a)
Clarification on pre-existing conditions and recordable incidents 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7
Does a truck with a cab containing an intergral falling object protective structure that was manufactured to meet the ISO 3449 standard conform to 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(6)? 1926.601, 1926.601(b)(6)
Use of portable arc welding machines in inclement weather. 1926.351, 1926.351(a), 1926.351(b), 1926.351(c), 1926.351(d), 1926.354, 1926.406, 1926.406(c)
Whether empty compressed gas cylinders may be laid horizontally when stored. 1926.350, 1926.350(a)(9)
Interpretation of "unattended" in 29 CFR 1926.351(d)(1) with regard to electrode holders. 1926.351, 1926.351(d)(1)
Clarification on controlled access zones for leading edge work. 1926.501, 1926.501(b), 1926.501(b)(2)(i), 1926.502, 1926.502(g), 1926.502(k), 1926.502(k)(7)
Whether #9 wire may be used to secure the toprails and midrails on tubular scaffolding; permissible method for setting transitional wood planks. 1926.451, 1926.451(g)(4), 1926.451(b)(8)
OSHA Training Standards Policy Statements 1910.134(k), 1910.147(c), 1910.1030(g), 1910.1200(h), 1926.21
Whether use of an artificial ear ISO 318 coupler complies with the noise standard. 1910.95, 1910.95(h)(5), 1910.95(h)(5)(ii)
Clarification on recordkeeping exemption for illness resulting from consuming food in the workplace. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5
Minimum distance required between guardrails on an industrial truck work platform. 1926.451, 1926.451(g)(1)(vii), 1926.451(g)(4)(vi)
Whether an employer can repair an extension cord under 29 CFR 1926, Subpart K. 1926.405, 1926.405(g)(2)(iii), 1926.449
Whether OSHA construction standards require a manhole cover to support at least twice a vehicle's applied axle load, regardless of the cover's size. 1926.502, 1926.502(i), 1926.502(i)(1), 1926.502(i)(2)
Whether extension cords may be repaired and returned to use. 1926.403, 1926.403(a), 1926.404, 1926.404(b)(1)(iii)(C)