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
Recordability of restriction of work; laceration recordability. 1904 - Table of Contents
Approval and selection of medical devices to minimize employee exposure. 1910.1030
Applicability of PSM standard to explosive and pyrotechnic manufacturing. 1910.119, 1910.109(k)(2), 1910.109(k)(3)
Disabled (hearing impaired) forklift operators. 1910.178(l)(1)(i)
Point of operation guarding for power presses. 1910.217(c)
Steps for updating and revalidating a Process Hazard Analysis (PHA). 1910.119(e)(6), 1910.119(e)(3), 1926.64(e)(6), 1926.64(e)(3)
The language of the HB vaccine declination form may not be changed. 1910.1030 App A
Approval for use of needle disposal systems; incineration not prohibited. 1910.1030
Arc welding from suspended scaffolds: feasibility of grounding. 1926.451(f)(17)(iv)
29 CFR Correction: 1926.454 Training requirements. 1926.454
Permit-Required Confined Spaces 1910.146
Interpretation/variance with the energy isolation device requirements. 1910.147
Definition of "work relationship" for occupational injuries and illness recordkeeping. 1904 - Table of Contents
Stay-of-enforcement of lead standard for brass and bronze ingot manufacturing. 1910.1025(e)(1)
Manufacturer and employer responsibilities when providing MSDSs electronically. 1910.1200, 1926.59
Permit-Required Confined Spaces Standard. 1910.146
Electrical Conductor Identification. 1910 Subpart S, 1910.269, 1910.303, 1910.304, 1910.399
Fall protection covered by the Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution standard. 1910.269
General Industry Standard as it applies to the electric utility industry. 1910.23, 1910.269
Electrical hazardous area classification drawings in the workplace. 1910.119, 1910.307