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
Fall protection requirements for employees working from a slide-out extension of a scissor lift platform. 1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(1)
Powered industrial trucks must not be placed into service, or must be removed from service, when any condition exists that adversely affects the safety of the vehicle 1910.178, 1910.178(p)(1), 1910.178(q)(7)
Recommendations for preventing prolonged suspension in personal fall protection systems. 1910 Subpart D, 1910 Subpart I
Responsibility of the employer and manufacturer to present consistent information between the labels and material safety data sheets. 1910.1200
OSHA has no specific standard on autoclaving used medical instruments. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(2)(viii)
Limiting factors for implementing the use of engineering controls, i.e., safety scalpels, under the Bloodborne Pathogens standard. 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv), 1910.1030(c)(1)(v), 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B), 1910.1030(d)(2)(i)
Recordability of a fatal traffic accident in a foreign project location. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5(b)(6)
Use of glue to close a wound is medical treatment; prescription antibiotics/antiseptics for preventive treatment of a wound is medical treatment. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)
Payment for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is required to be provided by 1910.132. 1910.132
Life jacket/buoyant work vest requirements for employees working over water <2 feet deep; requirements for lifesaving skiffs. 1926.106(a), 1926.106(d)
Requirements for compressive-strength testing of concrete and mortar in a masonry wall during steel erection. 1926.752, 1926.752(a), 1926.752(a)(1)
Employees are not permitted to erect roof trusses/rafters while working from the exterior top plate. 1926.501(b)(13), 1926.501(b)(13)(a), 1926.501(b)(13)(b)
Acceptability of using computer-based (on-line) training for the HAZWOPER 40-hour classroom training. 1910.120, 1910.120(e)
Use of temporary panelboard ingress barriers in General Industry settings. 1910.303, 1910.303(a), 1910.399
Requirements for the sound level of a warning device (horn) located on a forklift 1910.178(q)(7), 1910.178(p)(1), 1910.178(q)(5)
Spray booth requirements including automatic sprinkler systems, relationship to NFPA 33 requirements, and paint storage. 1910.107, 1910.107(a), 1910.107(b)(5)(iv), 1910.107(e)(3), 1910.106(d)(4), 1910.161, 1910.162, 1910.106(a)(18), 1910.106(a)(19)
Evaluation of a personal platform enclosure panel. 1926.1431(e)(6)
Use of manufacturer-applied insulation coating as an insulation barrier; use of equipment within the minimum approach distance with insulation barriers. 1926.550(a)(15), 1926.600(a)(6)
Use of fall protection by deaf employees performing steel erection activities. 1926.750, 1926.750(a), 1926.750(b)(1), 1926.760, 1926.760(a)(1), 1926.760(a)(3), 1926.760(b), 1926.760(c)
Application of the Occupational Noise standard to employees who are deaf or have a diminished capacity to hear. 1910.95, 1910.95(b)(1), 1910.95(i)(2)