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
Single-point suspension scaffold safety. 1926.451, 1926.451(g)(1), 1926.451(g)(3)(iii), 1926.552, 1926.552(c)(7)
Padded slings/wire rope during steel erection. 1926.251, 1926.251(c)(9), 1926.753, 1926.753(c)(2)
Clarification on whether a visual rotating beacon or strobe light is an acceptable warning signal on a radio operated crane. 1910.179, 1910.179(i)
Use of toeboards across scaffold access points. 1926.451, 1926.451(h)(2)
Whether an employer is permitted to double wrap #9 gage steel wire in order to guy, tie or brace a scaffold. 1926.451, 1926.451(a)(1), 1926.451(c)
Whether OSHA standards require employees to be tied off while working over water on an aerial lift. 1926.453, 1926.453(b)(2)(v), 1926.1431(k)(10)(i)
Enforcement Policy for Flame-Resistant Clothing in Oil and Gas Drilling, Well Servicing, and Production-Related Operations 1910.132, 1910.132(a), 1910.132(d)
Appropriate disinfectants for decontamination of blood or OPIM. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii)(A)
Whether a specific brand of plastic sheeting meets the Asbestos requirements 1926.1101
Restrictions on drilling within 50 feet of a hole loaded with explosives. 1926.905, 1926.905(h), 1926.905(j), 1926.905(k)
Whether guardrails are required on a two-point adjustable scaffold while workers who are tied off are painting the undercarriage of a water storage tank. 1926.451, 1926.451(b)(2)(ii), 1926.451(b)(3), 1926.451(g)(1)(ii)
Storing Lunches in a Refrigerator at an Auto Collision Shop 1910.141
Whether an employer can use a controlled access zone during curtain wall installation. 1926.500, 1926.500(a)(2)(iii), 1926.502, 1926.502(g), 1926.751, 1926.760, 1926.760(a)(1)
Fall protection requirements for employees working on an elevator car frame. 1926.500(b), 1926.501(b)(1), 1926.502(d), 1926.502(d)(15)
Interpretation of OSHA Fall Protection Exemption (29 CFR 1926.500(a)(1)) during inspection, investigation, and assessment activities. 1926.500, 1926.500(a)(1)
Fully Planked and Decked Scaffold 1926.451, 1926.451(b)(1)
Permissible methods of operating trucks in reverse on construction sites. 1926.601, 1926.601(b)(4), 1926.602(a)(9)(ii)
Testing requirements for "lifting blinds" or "lifting covers" on pressure vessels. 1926.251, 1926.251(a)(4), 1926.251(a)(5)
Clarification on whether the HAZWOPER standard applies to Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams responding to a terrorist incident. 1910.120
Hazards of using a crane's hydraulic system to compensate for inadequate brakes. 1926.1433, 1926.1433(b)(5), 1926.1434, 1926.1434(a)(3)