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
Temporary Enforcement Guidance - Healthcare Respiratory Protection Annual Fit-Testing for N95 Filtering Facepieces During the COVID-19 Outbreak 1910.134(d)(1)(ii)
Tagging transmission lines covered under, 1910.269(m)(3)(ii) 1910.269(m), 1910.269(m)(3), 1910.269(m)(3)(ii)
Sunglasses for welders in shipyard employment 1915.152(f)(2), 1915.152(f)(4)(ii), 1915.153 - Index, 1915.153(a)(1), 1915.153(a)(4), 1915.153(b)
Personal Fall Arrest System or Ladder Safety System on Fixed Ladders, and Fixed Ladders Used on Grain Silos for Emergency Escape 1910.23(a)(1), 1910.28(b)(9)(i)(B)
Use of Zipstitich and Clozex to close a wound is medical treatment beyond first-aid. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)
Regarding the applicability of construction standards to certain commercial sign installation activities 1926.32, 1926.1427
Heights of Handrail and Stair Rail Systems 1910.29(f)(1)(i), 1910.29(f)(1)(ii)(B), 1910.29(f)(1)(iii)(A)
Updates to PHA Extended Shutdown Facility 1910.119(e)(6)
Retention of Spirometry Records 1910.1020(c)(6)(i)(B), 1910.1020(b)(3), 1910.1020(d), 1910.1053, 1910.1053(i)(6), 1926.1153, 1926.1153(h)(6), 1910.134(e)(6)(i)
Precautionary statements in Hazard Communication standard 1910.1200, 1910.1200 App C
Use of Music Headphones on Construction Sites 1926.52, 1926.101
Shipping Labels for Blood Contaminated Medical Devices 1910.1030(d)(2)(xiv)(A), 1910.1030(g)(1)(i)(H)
Cleanup of blood from crime or accident scenes and HAZWOPER training requirements 1910.120, 1910.120(a)(3), 1910.120(e)(3), 1910.120(e)(4), 1910.120(q)(6), 1910.120(q)(11), 1910.1030
OSHA’s Noise Standard as it applies to temporary employees audiometric testing 1910.95(g)
Escape-only respirators 1910.134, 1910.134(c)(1), 1910.134(e)(1), 1910.120
Determining whether the injury would apply to the work-related exception personal task and outside the assigned working hours 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5(b)(2)(v)
HCS Labeling Requirements for Bulk Shipments of Small Packages 1910.1200(f)(1)(i), 1910.1200(f)(1)(ii), 1910.1200(f)(1)(iii), 1910.1200(f)(1)(iv)
Maintenance work in a manufacturing area after silica-generating tasks have been stopped 1910.1053, 1910.1053(d)(1), 1910.1053(e)(4), 1910.1053(g)(1)
Types of construction work excluded from the Silica standard 1926.1153, 1926.1153(a), 1926.1153(c)(1), 1926.1153(d), 1926.1153(e), 1926.1153(f)(1), 1926.1153(h), 1926.1153(i)
Electronic worker training records 1910