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
Safety factor when "worst-case" force is applied to safety rail support product intended for ladder jack scaffold systems; §1926.451(a)(1) 1926.451, 1926.451(a)(1)
Determination of a case as days away or restricted work; case must be recorded in manner reflecting what actually occurs. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7
Whether non-rebar projections on a construction site must be guarded; whether rebar caps/covers are subject to a minimum size requirement; whether vertical rebar in beam stirrups are subject to §1926.701(b) 1926.701, 1926.701(b)
Safe tieback angles for controlled boatswain's chairs. 1910.28, 1910.28(j), 1910.30, 1910.30(g)(2)
Landing platform requirement for fixed ladder with continuous climb of 62 feet. 1910.27, 1910.27(d)(2)
29 CFR 1926.31 and 1926.100; wearing caps or other apparel under a hard hat for cold weather protection. 1926.31, 1926.100
Guardrail height requirements for construction activities in General Industry Facilities. 1926.502, 1926.502(b)(1)
Worker exposure to impalement hazards while constructing upper rebar mats over rebar protrusions from lower levels 1926.701, 1926.701(b)(1)
Construction requirements for personnel hoists; applicability of ANSI A10.4-2004. 1926.552(c)(16)
Clarification of "trade secret" and the employer's obligation to provide genetic coding information. 1910.1020, 1910.1020(c)(5), 1910.1020(c)(6), 1910.1020(c)(13), 1910.1020(c)(14), 1910.10(e)(1)(iii), 1910.1020(e)(1)(iv), 1910.1020(f)(4), 1910.1020(f)(4)(ii), 1910.1020(f)(4)(iv)
The use of rail extensions on ladders used in a general industry setting. 1910.25, 1910.26
Whether the four-bolt requirement in 1926.755(a)(1) applies to a pre-existing column that will be left in place during a renovation/alteration project. 1926.755, 1926.755(a)(1)
Impalement from reinforcing steel protruding horizontally; §1926.701(b) 1926.701(b)
Whether the notification required in §1926.752(a)(1) (attained concrete strength) must be given where steel will be erected on a long-existed concrete slab. 1926.752, 1926.752(a), 1926.752(a)(1)
Training requirements for powder-actuated tools under §1926.302(e). 1926.21(b)(2), 1926.32(f), 1926.302(e), 1926.302(e)(1)
Requirement for flame-resistant clothing in petrochemical plant covered by PSM. 1910.132, 1910.132(a), 1910.119, 1910.119(f)(1)(iii)(B), 1910.119(h)(2), 1910.119(h)(3), 1910.119(j)(2)
Fall protection and aerial lifts in the Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution industries. 1910.28, 1910.28(a)(12), 1910.28(d)(7), 1910.28(d)(12), 1910.29, 1910.29(a)(3), 1910.67, 1910.269, 1910.269(a)(2)
Access to toilet facilities in a call center. 1910.141, 1910.141(c)(1)(i)
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Protection: prohibition on enforcement of annual fit testing requirements during fiscal year 2006. 1910.134, 1910.134(f)(2), 1910.134(f)(3)
Policy on powered industrial truck operators using prescribed drugs. 1910.178