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
Lock out/Tag out (LOTO) requirements for die-setting operations in hydraulic power presses. 1910.212(a)(3)(ii), 1910.217, 1910.217(d)(9)(iv), 1910.147, 1910.147(a)(2)(ii), 1910.147(b), 1910.147(d), 1910.147(f)(1)
Requirements for maintaining material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for consumer art products and office cleaning products. 1910.1200, 1910.1200(b)(6)(ix)
Scaffolding/shoring 1926.451(g)(2), 1926.500, 1926.500(a)(2), 1926.501(b)(1), 1926.501(b)(14), 1926.501(d)(15), 1926.700(b)(2), 1926.1050(b), 1926.1051(a)
Use of 2"x6" No 2 pine boards as a scaffold platform; application of 1926.451(a) and 1926.451(f)(16) when erecting and dismantling scaffolds. 1926.451(a), 1926.451(f)(16), 1926.451(a)(6), 1926.451(b)(1), 1926.451(b)(1)(i), 1926.451(b)(2), 1926.450(a), 1926.451(f)(7), 1926.450(b)
Whether a safety factor must be incorporated into the design of footings for supported scaffolds. 1926.451(a)(6), 1926.451(c)(2)(i)
Whether scaffold components may be loaded in excess of minimum load ratings specified in 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart L; whether a safety factor must be added to such load ratings; Non-Mandatory Appendix A. 1926.451, 1926.451(a)(1), 1926.451(a)(6), 1926.451(f)(1), 1926.451(g)(4), 1926.451(g)(4)(vii), 1926.451(g)(4)(ix), 1926.451(h)(4)(i)
Tie-in requirements for supported scaffolds; errors in Non-Mandatory Appendix E. 1926.451(a)(1), 1926.451(a)(2), 1926.451(a)(3), 1926.451(a)(4), 1926.451(a)(5), 1926.451(c)(1), 1926.451(c)(1)(ii), 1926.451(g)
Fall protection requirements for workers constructing a water tower while on a scaffold. 1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(1), 1926.451(g)(1)(vii), 1926.451(g)(1)(ii), 1926.451(g)(1)(iii), 1926.451(g)(1)(iv), 1926.451(g)(1)(v), 1926.451(g)(1)(vi), 1926.451(g)(4), 1926.451(g)(4)(i), 1926.451(g)(4)(vii), 1926.451(g)(4)(viii), 1926.451(g)(4)(ix)
OSHA's General Industry standard requires damaged welding leads to be replaced and not to be repaired. 1910.254(d)(9)(iii), 1926.351(b)(2), 1926.351(b)(4)
Evaluation if moving point-to-point on concrete wall to make initial connections of structural steel is "connecting" work; landing loads on systems-engineered metal building. 1926 - Table of Contents, 1926.758, 1926.758(d), 1926.758(f), 1926.758(f)(1), 1926.758(f)(2), 1926.758(f)(3), 1926.758(g), 1926.758(h), 1926.758(i), 1926.751, 1926.760, 1926.760(a), 1926.760(a)(1), 1926.760(a)(13), 1926.760(a)(3), 1926.760(b), 1926.760(b)(1), 1926.760(b)(3)
Requirement to disclose all chemicals having scientific evidence that they pose a health risk regardless of concentrations present in the product on the MSDS. 1910.1200, 1910.1200(g)(2)(i)(C)(2)
Potential health hazards from exposures to ammonia and EMF radiation from hair dryers for beauty salon workers. 1910.1000
Fall protection requirements when working from ladders in the telecommunications industry. 1910.268, 1910.268(g)(1), 1910.269(g)(1)(v)
OSHA enforcement of ANSI window cleaning standard; citing federal agencies under the General Duty Clause. 1910.66, 1960.8
Containment and disposal requirements for disposable razors used in long-term health care facilities for personal grooming. 1910.1030(c)(1)(ii)(B), 1910.1030(d)(2)(i), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(C), 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(F)
Application of 1926.404(b)(1) to 208-volt branch circuits; requirement for electrical subcontractor under 1926.404(b)(1) to provide ground-fault circuit interrupters on circuits used by other subcontractors 1926.404(b), 1926.404(b)(1), 1926.404(b)(1)(i), 1926.404(b)(1)(ii), 1926.404(b)(1)(iii)
Requirements for the control of personnel entering a facility under the Process Safety Management standard. 1910.119(f)(4), 1910.119(h)(2)(iv), 1910.119(n)
Application of OSH Act and Multi-employer Citation Policy rather than CWHSSA to ensure subcontractors meet construction occupational safety and health responsibilities. 1926.16(a)
Federal government claims no copyright protection for July 2004 C-DAC Consensus Document.
Clarification of "assigned working hours" for determining recordability of injuries that occur during breaks in the normal work schedule. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5(b)(2)(v)