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
Beards may not interfere with face seal;alternative respirators for bearded employees. 1910.134, 1910.134(d)(1)(i), 1910.134(g)(1)(i)
Employee and employee representative access to MSDS; accompanying CSHOs on inspections. 1910.1200, 1903 - Table of Contents, 1910.1200(g)(8), 1903.8, 1903.8(a), 1903.8(b), 1903.8(c), 1903.8(d)
Application of absorbent pads for spill control;hazardous waste site cleanup training does not qualify worker as hazardous materials technician. 1910.120, 1910.120(q)(6), 1910.120(e)
Workplace exposure limits for ultra-violet radiation 1910.97, 1910.1096
Tunnel/Underground construction requirements: use of flexible bag lines for ventilation; location of main ventilation fan; and reversible ventilation 1926 - Table of Contents
Retesting of reassembled lifting accessories if original manufacturing controls are ensured; retesting requirement if repair/replacement of parts due to breakage, damage, or evidence of diminished capacity. 1926.251, 1926.251(a)(4)
Reiteration of Existing OSHA Policy on Indoor Air Quality: Office Temperature/Humidity and Environmental Tobacco Smoke 1910.1000
Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act and the requirement to include safety-engineered sharps devices in pre-packaged surgical kits or trays. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(2)(i), 1910.1030(c)(1)(v)
Clarification of PSM applicability to processes that are based partly or solely on quantities in connected atmospheric storage tanks. 1910.119, 1910.119(a)(1)(ii)(B), 1910.1450
Use of occupational exposure levels (OELs) for substances not covered by an OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). 1910.1000
Enforcement Policy for Respiratory Hazards Not Covered by OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits. 1910.1000, 1910.5(f)
Acceptability of using extensible boom forklifts to lift steel joist for spreading by hand 1926.757, 1926.602, 1926.602(c), 1926.602(c)(1), 1926.600
Evaluation of sutureless catheter securement devices to prevent needlestick hazards. 1910.1030(c), 1910.1030
Compliance of Non-Stop base tower and extension frames with scaffold access requirements. 1926.451, 1926.451(e)(6)(ii), 1926.451(e)(6)(vi), 1926.451(e)(7)
Sheer connector requirements in the steel erection standard to bridge repair/rehabilitation. 1926.750, 1926.750(a), 1926.750(b)(1), 1926.750(b)(2), 1926.754, 1926.754(c)(1)
Acceptable uses of flexible temporary cords/cables on construction sites. 1926.405, 1926.405(g), 1926.405(g)(1)(iii), 1926.405(g)(1)(iii)(B), 1926.405(g)(1)(i), 1926.405(g)(1)(i)(A), 1926.405(g)(1)(i)(B), 1926.405(g)(1)(i)(C), 1926.405(g)(1)(i)(D), 1926.405(g)(1)(i)(E), 1926.405(g)(1)(i)(F), 1926.405(g)(1)(i)(G), 1926.405(g)(1)(i)(H), 1926.449
Necessary precautions required to prevent entry into a swinging superstructure's radius. 1926.550, 1926.550(a), 1926.550(a)(9), 1926.21, 1926.21(b), 1926.21(b)(2)
Registered professional engineer approval requirements for manufactured trench protection systems deeper than 20 feet. 1926.652, 1926.652(c), 1926.652(c)(1), 1926.652(c)(2), 1926.652(c)(3), 1926.652(c)(4), 1926.652(b), 1926.650
Compliance of Purlin Glide to OSHA steel erection standards. 1926 Subpart R, 1926.754(e)(3)(i)
Requirements for developing sufficiently-detailed written procedures for all machinery/equipment lockout/tagout. 1910.147(c)(4)(ii), 1910.147(d)(1), 1910.147