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
Requirements for load-testing and marking of special custom-design rigging accessories; applicability of ASME standards. 1926.251, 1926.251(a)(4), 1926.32, 1926.32(q)
Material safety data sheet requirements for experimental chemical mixtures that are shipped off-site. 1910.1200, 1910.1200(b)(3)(iv), 1910.1200(g)
Fit testing requirements for employees who wear respirators to protect against M. Tuberculosis, SARS, Smallpox, and Monkeypox. 1910.134, 1910.134(f)
Requirements for providing seatbelts for drivers whose size precludes their using seatbelts. 1926.601, 1926.601(b)(9), 1926.95(a), 1910.132(a), 1926.601(a)
Compliance of an aerial lift fall protection device connected with a releasable tether and a non-releasable tether. 1926.453, 1926.453(b)(2)(iii), 1926.453(b)(2)(v), 1905.11, 1926.502(d)
Concern of potential adverse affects from latex by consumers and health care patients with Hevea Natural Rubber Latex Allergy 1975.3, 1910.132, 1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(3)(iii)
OSHA does not have requirements for normal color vision.
Requirements for storage and handling of gasoline on a construction site. 1926.152(a), 1926.152(a)(1), 1926.152(e), 1926.152(e)(2), 1926.152(f), 1926.152(g), 1926.155(a), 1926.155(l)
Clarification as to whether operators of mobile cranes with operator cabs are subject to seat belt requirements. 1926.28(a), 1926.601, 1926.601(a), 1926.601(b)(9)
Appendix A to CPL 02-00-051, Enforcement Exemptions and Limitations under the Appropriations Act
Compliance of shop-installed steel angle or bent plates running along the length of the top flange of a perimeter beam. 1926.754, 1926.754(c)(1)(i)
Gas cylinder carts with patented engineered steel fire barriers compliance with 1926.350(a)(10). 1926.350, 1926.350(a)(10)
Use of portable ladders on tank builder's scaffolds during scaffold dismantling process in construction. 1926.450, 1926.451, 1926.451(e), 1926.451(e)(2), 1926.451(e)(9), 1926.451(e)(9)(i), 1926.451(e)(9)(ii), 1926.451(f), 1926.451(f)(15), 1926.451(f)(15)(iii), 1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(2)
Logging operations standard (1910.266) applies to all types of logging activity, regardless of end use and regardless if it results in a commercial product 1910.266, 1910.266(b)(1)
Employer's responsibility to re-evaluate engineering controls, i.e., safer needle devices, at least annually. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv), 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(A), 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B)
Employer's responsibility to provide bloodborne pathogens training to lifeguards. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(g)(2), 1910.1030(h)(2)
Bloodborne Pathogens Standard application to small healthcare facilities and the annual review of the Exposure Control Plan. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(c)(1)(ii), 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv), 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(A), 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B)
Standards applicable to an automatic transfer device for processing and moving product. 1910.179, 1910 Subpart D, 1910 Subpart S, 1910 Subpart O
Evaluation of seven scenarios for work-relatedness and recordkeeping requirements. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5, 1904.6, 1904.7, 1904.31
Requirements for leaving construction vehicles unattended and running on an off-highway job-site. 1926.600, 1926.600(a)(3)(ii)