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
Protection factors for respirators used in pharmaceutical industry: policy change. 1910.134, 1910.134(d)(3)(i)(A)
Coverage of minor machine-servicing activities under the Lockout/Tagout standard. 1910.147(a)(2)(ii), 1910.147(a)(2)(iii)(A)
Training requirements for employees who perform non-electrical work on electrical equipment. 1910.269(a)(2)(i), 1910.269(a)(2)(ii), 1910.269(x)
Ground fault protection requirements for 120-volt and/or 240-volt circuits. 1926.404(b), 1926.404(b)(1)(i), 1926.404(b)(1)(ii)
Review of Roof Mates' Roofer's Rack, Tool Box, Bracket, and stocker. 1926.250
OSHA Guidance concerning use of clip on products for ladders to facilitate transport of the ladder or other objects. 1926.1053(b)(4), 1926.1053(b)(3), 1910.23
Training requirements for fire brigade members. 1910.156(c)(3)
ANSI Z358.1 guidance for complying with 1910.151(c) citation policy for eyewashes and showers. 1910.151(c)
Clarification of 1910.151 (Medical Services and First Aid). 1910.151, 1910.151(b)
Fall protection requirements for roofing work in residential construction versus roofing work in other areas of construction. 1926.500, 1926.501, 1926.502, 1926.503
Hard hat testing and certification requirements when the hard hat bill is worn to the rear. 1926.100(a), 1926.100(b), 1926.100
Planking, safety line, and personal fall arrest system requirements for tank builder's scaffolding. 1926.451, 1926.451(b), 1926.451(b)(1), 1926.451(b)(1)(i), 1926.451(b)(2), 1926.451(b)(2)(i), 1926.451(b)(2)(ii), 1926.451(b)(3), 1926.451(b)(3)(i), 1926.451(b)(3)(ii), 1926.450, 1926.452, 1926.453, 1926.454
Respirator requirements for employees wearing facial hair for religious reasons. 1926.103, 1926.134
Fall protection requirements for shop-installed shear connectors at 20 feet above ground or a lower level. 1926.754(c)(1)(i), 1926.754(c)(1)
OSHA's exit sign requirements for disabled persons. 1910.37, 1910.37(b)
Using ANSI Z358.1 as guidance to comply with 1910.151(c) 1910.151(c)
Air monitoring results, citations, and employee exposure records 1910.1020(e)(1)(i), 1910.1020(c)(5), 1910.1020(c)(6), 1910.1020(g)(1)
Non-Stop Scaffolding Inc.'s scaffold towers do not comply with OSHA's integral prefabricated scaffold access frame or ladder/stairway type access requirements. 1926.451, 1926.451(e), 1926.451(e)(6), 1926.451(e)(6)(i), 1926.451(e)(6)(ii), 1926.451(e)(6)(iv), 1926.451(e)(6)(vi), 1926.451(e)(7)
Proof test requirements for insulating gloves; certification and marking requirements. 1910.268
Request that OSHA adopt a requirement that all scaffold planks meet a "scaffold grade" under recognized grading rules. 1926.451, 1926.451(a)(1), 1926.451(a)(6), 1926.451(b), 1926.451(a)