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.

Date	Title	Standard Number
10/29/2007	Determining whether injuries in the company parking lot during paid company break are work-related.	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5
10/26/2007	OSHA does not regulate the final disposal of medical waste.	1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(C)
10/26/2007	Clarification of PPE requirements for phlebotomists performing venipunctures in hospital setting and/or rural outpatient clinics.	1910.1030, 1910.1030(b), 1910.1030(c)(2)(i), 1910.1030(d)(1), 1910.1030(d)(3)(ix), 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(E), 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(F), 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(G)
10/18/2007	OSHA requirements for crane operators.	1926 Subpart N
10/10/2007	Clarification of the 1910.269 requirement for the presence of at least two "qualified" employees for work on exposed energized lines.	1910.269, 1910.269(a)(2)(i), 1910.269(a)(2)(ii), 1910.269(b), 1910.269(g)(2)(v), 1910.269(l)(1)(i), 1910.269(v), 1910.269(x)
10/04/2007	Applicability of OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard to the use of safety needles with self-infuse bleeding products.	1910.1030
09/21/2007	Whether it is permissible to anchor a fall arrest system at an employee's feet.	1926.502(d)(16), 1926.502(d)(16)(iii)
09/20/2007	Whether "discriminating [back-up] alarms" may be used to meet the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.602(a)(9)(ii).	1926.602, 1926.602(a), 1926.602(a)(9), 1926.602(a)(9)(ii)
09/19/2007	Clarification of OSHA requirements for trainer qualifications under the HAZWOPER standard.	1910.120, 1910.120(e), 1910.120(e)(5)
09/19/2007	Clarification of OSHA requirements for trainer qualifications under the HAZWOPER standard.	1910.120, 1910.120(e), 1910.120(e)(5)
09/17/2007	Distinction between "column" and "post" in the Safety Standards for Steel Erection, 29 CFR 1926 SubpartR.	1926.751
08/29/2007	Clarification of 1910.95 and 1904 regarding physicians and audiologists roles in determining work-relatedness of worker hearing loss.	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5, 1904.10, 1910.95
08/27/2007	"Scaffolds"	1926 Subpart L
08/21/2007	Clarification of the phrase "when required" as used specifically in 29 CFR 1910.28.	1910.28, 1910.28(a)(17), 1910.28(c)(14), 1910.28(d)(7)
08/16/2007	Discussion of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act as administered by the DOL.
08/09/2007	Requirements for the construction of trash receptacles used in operating rooms for the containerization of regulated waste.	1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(B)(1), 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(B)(2), 1910.1030(g)(1)(i)
08/07/2007	Determining the presence of blood in mixture that comprises raw sewage.	1910.132, 1910.1030, 1910.1030(b)
08/06/2007	Whether reclassification is available for permit-required confined spaces with potentially hazardous atmospheres.	1910.146, 1910.146(c)(7), 1910.146(d)(3)
08/06/2007	Clarification of an alleged OSHA statement regarding foot protection in the USPS safety program.	1910.136(a), 1910.136(b)(1)
08/02/2007	Fall protection for a fixed platform mounted vehicle and an aerial lift.

Letters of Interpretation

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