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
05/18/2006	Whether plywood may be used as scaffold decking material over wood scaffold planks; 29 CFR 1926.450 and 1926.451.	1926.450, 1926.450(b), 1926.451(a), 1926.451(a)(1), 1926.451(a)(6), 1926.451(b)(1)(i), 1926.451(f)(1), 1926.451(f)(16)
05/17/2006	Requirements for covered beverages at nurses' stations.	1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(2)(ix), 1910.141, 1910.141(g)(2)
05/17/2006	Whether the motor on a portable concrete mixer has to be covered; 1926.300(b)(1).	1926.300, 1926.300(b)(1), 1926.300(b)(2)
05/17/2006	Whether toilets at a construction jobsite must be in a sanitary condition to meet the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.51(c).	1926.51, 1926.51(c)(1)
05/12/2006	Recordkeeping requirements when an employer receives two or more differing medical recommendations for an injury/illness.	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7
05/12/2006	Requirements for "nature breaks" and weather-related "comfort breaks" for US Postal Service employee.	1910.141, 1910.141(c)(1)(ii)
05/12/2006	Use of the "Regulator Umbrella" for "in use" or "connected for use" conditions for portable compressed gas cylinders.	1910.253, 1910.253(b)(5)(ii)(B), 1910.253(b)(5)(ii)(D), 1910.253(b)(5)(ii)(I), 1926.350, 1926.350(a)(10)
05/12/2006	Determination of work-relatedness on a construction site.	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5
05/10/2006	Storage of oxygen and acetylene cylinders for construction vs. general industry.	1910.253, 1910.253(b)(2), 1910.253(b)(3), 1910.253(b)(4), 1926.350, 1926.350(a)(10)
05/09/2006	Whether the operator's cab of excavators must be equipped with seatbelts; §1926.602(a) and §1926.602(b).	1926.602, 1926.602(a), 1926.602(b)
05/09/2006	Do the requirements in §1926.756(c) apply to double connections made at a beam away from a column?	1926.756, 1926.756(c)(1)
05/09/2006	Use of additional lock on a conveyor and baler system exceeds one lockout device.	1910.147, 1910.147(c)(4)(i)
05/08/2006	General industry and construction standards regarding "in use" or "ready to use" and "storage" of compressed gas and oxygen cylinders for welding; §1910.253(b)(2)-1910.253(b)(4) and §1926.350(a)(10).	1910.253, 1910.253(b)(2), 1910.253(b)(3), 1910.253(b)(4), 1926.350, 1926.350(a)(10)
05/07/2006	Machine guarding and compliance with 29 CFR 1910.219(m).	1910.219(m)
05/05/2006	Use of flexible cords and cables for wiring in permanent or temporary installations.	1910.305, 1910.305(a)(2)(iii)(G), 1910.305(g)(1)(iii)
04/25/2006	Use of lower-limit device that stops lower hook travel with at least two wraps remaining on the drum.	1910.179, 1910.179(h)(2)(iii)(a)
04/25/2006	Restrictions from restricted work activities.	1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7
04/25/2006	Whether the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act requires impalement protection from protruding anchor bolts.
04/25/2006	Conditions rendering underground electrical power connections as unsafe to touch with bare hands.	1910.269, 1910.269(l)(2), 1910.269(l)(3)
04/25/2006	Safety factor when "worst-case" force is applied to safety rail support product intended for ladder jack scaffold systems; §1926.451(a)(1)	1926.451, 1926.451(a)(1)

Letters of Interpretation

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