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.

Date	Title	Standard Number
10/15/1999	The PEL for cadmium at dry color formulator operations.	1910.1027(c), 1910.1000 TABLE Z-2
10/14/1999	1910.1020 requirements regarding employee drug testing results.	1910.1020(b), 1910.1020(c), 1910.1020(d), 1910.1020(e)
10/14/1999	Group tagging requirements reqarding 1910.269(d).	1910.269(d)
10/14/1999	GFCI and coverplate requirements in construction;use of fall arrest systems and scaffolding.	1926.404(b)(1)(ii), 1926.404(b)(1)(iii), 1926.502(d)(15), 1926.502(d)(17), 1926.451(a)
10/08/1999	Powered industrial truck training: different types of trucks/workplace conditions.	1910.178(l)
10/08/1999	Employers should record all back cases as injuries.	1904 - Table of Contents
10/05/1999	Lockout/tagout issues: "unexpected energization" and minor servicing operations.	1910.147, 1910 Subpart O
10/01/1999	Respirators for voluntary use and cleaning respirators during fit testing.	1910.134(c)(2), 1910.134(d)(1)(ii), 1910.134(f)(6), 1910.134(h)(1)
10/01/1999	Powered industrial truck training content, certification, and record maintenance.	1910.178(l), 1926.602(c), 1926.602(d)
09/30/1999	Forklifts in construction: elevating personnel and operator training.	1926.451(c)(2)(iv), 1926.602(c)(1)(vi), 1926.602(d), 1910.178(l)
09/28/1999	Fall protection, lifejacket, and lifesaving requirements when working over or near water.	1926.501(b)(1), 1926.105, 1926.106, 1926.106(a), 1926.106(c), 1926.106(d), 1926 Subpart M
09/23/1999	Neither a waist nor chest strap is a required part of body harness.	1926.500(b), 1926.502(d)(16), 1910.66 App C
09/23/1999	1910.178 does not apply to agricultural operations.	1910.178, 1928.1, 1928.21(a)
09/23/1999	Protection of ground-level workers from lowering of aerial lift bucket	1910.67, 1926.453
09/17/1999	Field sanitation standard requirements; OSHA does not approve products.	1928.110
09/13/1999	Application of asbestos standard's brake and clutch repair provisions.	1910.1001(f)(3)
09/03/1999	Falling object protection on scaffolds at scaffold access points.	1926.451(h)
09/02/1999	Lanyards and vertical lifelines must meet breaking and tensile strength requirements.	1910.66 App C, 1926.502(d)
08/30/1999	Log skidder operators must be trained in accordance with 1910.266(i)(3)(ii)	1910.266(i)(3)(ii), 1910.178(l), 1910.5(c)(1)
08/30/1999	OSHA requires fall protection for elevator work when a fall hazard is present.	1910.23

Letters of Interpretation

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