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
Employer's duty to inform auto mechanic of presence of blood in vehicle being repaired. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(b)
Alternative fall protection program when guardrails are infeasible to install. 1910.23, 1910.23(c)
The use of ship's stairs instead of fixed stairs in general industry. 1910.27
Circumstances under which installation of fixed industrial stairs with a slope between 50 degrees and 70 degrees from the horizontal would be considered a de minimis violation. 1910.24
Clarification on revising a baseline audiogram if a standard threshold shift occurs in only one ear. 1910.95, 1910.95(g)(9)
Use of cages, wells, and personal fall protection systems to protect against falls from fixed ladders. 1910.27
Facial hair and voluntary use of filtering facepiece respirators. 1910.134, 1910.134(a), 1910.134(c)(2)(ii)
Applicability of the Fire brigade standard to health care facilities. 1910.156, 1910.156(a)
OSHA's regulations regarding restrooms for general industry. 1910.141, 1910.141(c)
Applicability of HAZWOPER standard to hazardous waste generators that are not conditionally exempt as small quantity generators. 1910.120, 1910.120(a)(2)(iii), 1910.120(p)(8)
Highway work zones and reflective/warning vests for the protection of off-duty police officers working as flaggers. 1926.200, 1926.200(g)(2), 1926.201, 1926.201(a)
Requirements for carrying and stacking lumber with nails. 1926.95(a), 1926.250(b)
OSHA requirements applicable to use of the Contex "Magic Arm" below-the-hook lifting device. 1926.20(b), 1926.21(b)(2), 1926.251(a)(1), 1926.753, 1926.1400
Whether OSHA standards prohibit using two power hoists wired together to a single control;whether a minimum of two persons are required to be on board a two-point suspended scaffold. 1926.451, 1926.451(d)(13), 1926.452
The powered platform standard's emergency action plan requirements do not necessarily require lowering the platform to ground level. 1910.66, 1910.66(e)(9)
Interlock requirements for access door(s) of trash compactor. 1910.147, 1910.147(a)(2)(ii), 1910.212
Correct manner to interpret air sample measurements of an employee's asbestos exposure when the samples are overloaded. 1926.1101, 1926.1101(c)(1), 1926.1101(f)(1)
Requirements for providing awareness training for employees performing housekeeping duties; providing notification of ACM/PACM for employers and employees. 1910.1001, 1910.1001(j)(2)(iii), 1910.1001(j)(7)(iv), 1926.1101, 1926.1101(k)(2)(ii)
Employer's obligation to assure the accuracy of the sharps injury log. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv), 1910.1030(f)(3), 1910.1030(h)(5)
Requirement for a safety latch on a sling hook depends on the activity for which the sling is being used. 1910.181(a)(29), 1910.181(j)(2), 1910.184(c)(6), 1917.45, 1918.66, 1918.81, 1926.753