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
Clarification of "as free as practicable" and lead contamination under 29 CFR 1926.62. 1926.62, 1926.62(h)(1), 1926.62(i)(2)(i), 1926.62(i)(4)(ii)
Compliance of Master Plank scaffold planking with OSHA plank strength requirements. 1926.451, 1926.451(a), 1926.451(a)(1), 1926.451(a)(6), 1926.451(f), 1926.451(f)(16)
Respiratory protection and emergency escape requirements for IDLH atmospheres. 1910.120, 1910.120(q)(3), 1910.134, 1910.134(g)(3), 1910.146, 1910.146(i), 1910.146(k)(1)
OSHA policy that federal officials not act as witnesses in private party litigation.
Applicability of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to the municipal solid waste industry. 1910.1030(b), 1910.1030(f), 1910.1030(c)(2)
Use of double-walled tanks as the only form of protection from collision damage. 1926.152, 1926.152(e), 1926.152(e)(4)
Plasma-derived products are considered "blood" within the meaning of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(a), 1910.1030(b)
Mortar testing requirements and controlling contractor responsibilities under the Steel Erection Standard 1926.752, 1926.752(a), 1926.752(a)(1), 1926.755(b)
Occupational exposure limits, access restrictions, and posting requirements for airborne radioactive materials. 1910.1096
Corrected Tables A and B for 1926 Subpart R, the Steel Erection Standard. 1926.757(c)(3)
Use of body harness verses body belt for fall protection when working from elevated powered industrial truck platforms. 1910.178
Fall protection requirements for employees working from a "work bridge" in concrete construction work 1926.450(b), 1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(4)(ii), 1926.701(b)
Sharps injury logs are intended to track departments, devices, and/or procedures causing injuries, not injured employees. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(h)(5)(i)(A), 1910.1030(h)(5)(i)(C)
Applicability of the confined-space standard to dock-leveler pits. 1910.146, 1910.146(b), 1910.146(c)(7), 1910.146(c)(7)(i), 1910.146(c)(7)(ii), 1910.146(c)(7)(iii), 1910.146(c)(7)(iv), 1910.147
Training and PPE requirements for hospital staff that decontaminate victims/patients. 1910.120, 1910.120(q), 1910.120(q)(3), 1910.120(q)(3)(iv), 1910.120(q)(6), 1910.120(q)(6)(ii), 1910.134, 1910.134(c), 1910.132, 1910.132(d), 1910.132(d)(2)
Typographical error in internet text of 1926.800(r)(13)(ii). 1926.800, 1926.800(r)(13)(ii)
Safer medical devices must be selected based on employee feedback and device effectiveness, not Group Purchasing Organizations. 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(A), 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B), 1910.1030(c)(1)(v), 1910.1030(d)(2)(i), 1910.1030
Alternative fall protection procedures for residential construction. 1926.501, 1926.501(b), 1926.501(b)(13)
Steel erection concrete testing requirements and number of samples required to be taken 1926.752, 1926.752(a)(1)
Clarification on determining if an injury or illness is work-related and the recordability of the administration of oxygen. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5