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.

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Date Title Standard Number Standard Number
Requirements of Mobile Ladder Stand Platforms Used to Access CNC Machines 9 1910.23, 1910.23(b), 1910.23(e), 1910.23(e)(1)(i), 1910.23(e)(2)(i), 1910.23(e)(3)(i), 1910.23(e)(3)(ii), 1910.23(e)(3)(iii), 1910.29(b)(3)
Fall Protection on low slope roofs 3 1910.28, 1910.28(b)(13)(i), 1910.28(b)(13)(iii)
Storage of pre-charged air conditioners and heat pumps in warehouses or distribution centers 1 1910.119(a)
Cranes and the use of protective helmets 5 1910.135, 1910.135(a)(1), 1910.135(b)(1), 1910.179(n)(3)(vi), 1910.132(d)(1)
Sanitation facilities for railroad track employees and roadway maintenance groups 2 1910.141, 1926.51
Enforcement Guidance Under OSHA's Recordkeeping Regulation When First Aid, Active Release Techniques (ART), and Exercise/Stretching Are Used to Treat Musculoskeletal Injuries and Illnesses 9 1904, 1904.4, 1904.7, 1904.8, 1904.9, 1904.10, 1904.11, 1904.46, 1910.151
Sulfur sticks and hot work requirements 1 1910.119(k)
Update to Enforcement Procedures for Failure to Submit Electronic Illness and Injury Records under 29 CFR 1904.41(a)(1) and (a)(2) 6 1904.41, 1904.41(a)(1), 1904.41(a)(2), 1904.41(c), 1904 Subpart E App A, 1904 Subpart E App B
Violation Grouping and Discretionary Ungrouping 3 1904, 1910, 1926
Hazard assessments for PPE at disaster clean-up sites with multiple employers 4 1910.120, 1910.132, 1910.132(d)(1), 1910.132(d)(2)
Application of OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens standard to digital rectal examinations for rectal foreign bodies 6 1910.1030, 1910.1030(b), 1910.1030(c)(2), 1910.1030(d)(2)(i), 1910.1030(d)(3), 1910.1030(d)(3)(ix)
Ergonomic Hazards in Ultrasound Sonography 0
Training requirements for on scene incident commanders in OSHA's HAZWOPER standard 3 1910.120, 1910.120(q)(6), 1910.120(q)(6)(v)
Use of age-correction tables in OSHA's Noise standard 2 1904.10, 1910.95
Emergency eyewash protection when exposed to 0.1 percent or greater formaldehyde 7 1910.1048, 1910.1048(i)(2), 1910.1048(i)(3), 1910.1048(m)(1)(i), 1910.1048(m)(1)(ii), 1910.1048(m)(1)(iv), 1910.1200
Respirators for asbestos Class I work 5 1926.1101, 1926.1101(h)(3)(i)(A), 1926.1101(h)(3)(i)(B), 1926.1101(h)(3)(iv)(A), 1926.1101(h)(3)(iv)(B)
Retention of medical and exposure records by successor employers 2 1910.1020, 1910.1020(h)(1)
Suspended scaffold and fall protection requirements applicable to elevator construction 5 1926.450(b), 1926.451(g), 1926.451(h), 1926.500(b), 1926.502(d)
HCS applicability to an industrial marker containing liquid paint or ink 4 1910.1200, 1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(f), 1910.1200(g)
Clarification on the work-related exception in 1904.5(b)(2)(viii) for the common cold or flu 2 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.5(b)(2)(viii)