An official website of the United States government.
The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.
The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.
This Directive is currently available in PDF
*Accessibility Assistance: Contact OSHA's Directorate of Administrative Programs at 202-693-1600 for assistance accessing PDF materials.
This Directive is currently available in PDF
*Accessibility Assistance: Contact OSHA's Directorate of Administrative Programs at 202-693-1600 for assistance accessing PDF materials.
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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.
October 8, 1991
Mr. Paul M. Bomgardner
Hazardous Materials Specialist
American Trucking Association
2200 Mill Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Dear Mr. Bomgardner:
This is in response to your letter, to Mr. Thomas Seymour of our Safety Standards staff. As my office has responsibility for compliance interpretation of existing standards, your letter was forwarded to me for response. Please accept my apology for the delay in this reply.
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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.
June 23, 1989
Mr. Jeremy Millstone
Connolly & Freshman, Inc.
Suite 500
1015 15th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
Dear Mr. Millstone:
This is in response to your letter of June 13, concerning the relationship of several paragraphs within the 29 CFR 1910.120 Standard.
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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.
June 30, 1989
John P. Goniglio, C.S.P.
President
Risk & Technical Management, Inc.
700 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14202
Dear Mr. Goniglio:
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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.
August 28, 1997
This is in response to your memo of August 7 on fire fighter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). First, let me re-emphasize OSHA's position on proximity fire fighting clothing.
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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.
July 15, 1997
MEMORANDUM FOR: Charles W. Smith
Assistant for Fire and Emergency Services
(Safety and Occupational Health Policy)
FROM: John E. Plummer, Director Office of Federal
Agency Programs
SUBJECT: July 2, 1997 Memo on Proper PPE for
Firefighters
To restate OSHA's position on requiring proximity gear as simply as I possibly can;
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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.
January 30, 1997
Mr. Ron Roy
Director of Health, Safety and Quality
Valley Systems, Inc.
Post Office Box 603
Canal Fulton, Ohio 44614
Dear Mr. Roy:
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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.
November 22, 1989
Mr. Stephen S. Odojewski
President
Waste Resource Associates, Inc.
2576 Seneca Avenue
Niagara Falls, New York 14305
Dear Mr. Odojewski:
This is in response to your inquiry concerning the training requirements under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response final standard (29 CFR 1910.120).
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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.
October 10, 1989
Richard F. Boggs, Ph.D.
Organization Resources Counselors
Vice President
1910 Sunderland Place, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Dear Dr. Boggs:
I apologize for the delay in responding to your May 18 letter requesting clarification of several issues related to our Hazardous Waste Operation and Emergency Response rule. You have already received a response to most of the issues from our compliance office. I believe it responds to most of your concerns.