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
Safety vest requirements to protect flaggers from traffic hazards during construction work. 1926.201
Acceptable use of single point anchor systems for window cleaning operations. 1910.132(c)
Clarification of PIT requirements covering: fall protection and safety platforms, seatbelts, LP-gas storage, smoking, and eye wash stations 1910.178, 1910.178(f)(2), 1910.178(g)(10), 1910.151(c)
Fall protection requirements for commercial motor vehicles. 1910.132(a)
OSHA Letters of Interpretation and Directives system and functions.
OSHA's no-fault recordkeeping system requires recording work-related injuries and illnesses, regardless of the level of employer control or non-control involved. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5
PSM applicability to warehousing flammable liquids and other HHCs. 1910.119, 1910.119(a)(1)(ii)(B), 1910.119(b), 1910.119(o)
Clarification of "Controlling Contractor" duties under the Steel Erection Standard (1926 Subpart R) 1926.752(a), 1926.752(c), 1926.755(b)(2), 1926.759(b), 1926.760(e)
Authorized employees must have the opportunity to verify energy isolation in group lockout/tagout 1910.269(d), 1910.147(c)(2), 1910.147(d)
Exemption under the benzene standard for oil and gas drilling operations. 1910.1028(a)(2)(vi), 1910.1000 TABLE Z-2
Tagout devices must be non-reusable and self-locking. 1910.269(d)(3)(ii)(D), 1910.269(d)(6)(iv)(B)
Clarification of requirements for construction scaffold erection/dismantling; safe means of access; blocks for two-point suspension scaffolds. 1926.451, 1926.451(a)(3), 1926.451(a)(4), 1926.451(b)(1), 1926.451(b)(1)(i), 1926.451(c)(1)(iii), 1926.451(d)(16), 1926.451(d)(17), 1926.451(f)(3), 1926.451(e), 1926.451(e)(9)(i), 1926.451(e)(9)(ii), 1926.451(e)(9)(iii), 1926.451(e)(9)(iv), 1926.451(g)(1), 1926.452(p)(3), 1926.1431
Bridge construction will not be exempted from the sheer connector requirements of 1926.754(c)(1). 1926.754, 1926.754(c)(1)
Decision to release the new compliance directive for the steel erection standard in draft form. 1926.750, 1926.751, 1926.752, 1926.753, 1926.754, 1926.755, 1926.756, 1926.757, 1926.758, 1926.759, 1926.760, 1926.761
Determining the controlling employer with the role of providing general supervisory authority when using multi-employer two-step analysis citation policy. 1926.16
Guarding requirements for a rotary pneumatic angle-drive hand-held tool. 1910.12, 1910.12(b), 1926.32, 1926.32(g), 1926.300(b)(1), 1926.300, 1926.301, 1926.302, 1926.303, 1926.304, 1926.305, 1926.306, 1926.307
Installation of the HBS Composite Action System's continous plate prior to erection of beam poses tripping hazard. 1926.754(c)(1)(i)
Exemptions for installation of guardrails on wall (interior) side. 1926.451, 1926.452, 1926.453, 1926.454, 1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(4)(i), 1926.451(b)(3), 1926.451(g)(1)(iv), 1926.451(g)(2), 1926.450
Ladder-access gates in scaffold configuration. 1915.71(k), 1926.451(e)
Applicable standards to lifting personnel on a platform supported by a rough-terrain forklift. 1926.451, 1926.451(a)(1), 1926.451(a)(6), 1926.451(c)(2)(iv), 1926.451(c)(2)(v), 1926.452, 1926.453, 1926.454, 1926.602, 1926.602(c), 1926.602(c)(1)(vi), 1926.602(c)(1)(viii), 1926.602(d)