Letters of Interpretation | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

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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How to Request a Letter of Interpretation

Date	Title	Standard Number
11/01/1996	Maintenance activities performed in oil and gas production operations.	1910.147
11/01/1996	The OSHA injury and illness recording requirements pertaining to cases of Barotitis Media.	1904 - Table of Contents
10/31/1996	Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals and process hazard analyses.	1910.111, 1910.119, 1928.21
10/30/1996	Enforcement of the Control of Hazardous Energy (LOTO).	1910.147
10/29/1996	Minimum number of dive team members required for air dives.	1910.424(c)
10/29/1996	Consultants performing lockout/tagout periodic inspections.	1910.147
10/29/1996	Clarification of OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard as it relates to syringes and needles contaminated with both a bloodborne pathogen and radioactive nuclear medicine.	1910.1030
10/28/1996	OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requirements for Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).	1910.1200
10/25/1996	Telecommunication companies compliance with standard dealing with toilet facilities.	1910.141
10/24/1996	Use of potable water.	1910.141
10/23/1996	Guidelines for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs for Night Retail Establishments.
10/23/1996	Appropriation's rider Update.
10/21/1996	Clarification of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard.	1910.1200
10/18/1996	Enforcement of Fall Protection on Moving Stock	1910 Subpart D, 1910.132(d)
10/09/1996	Enforcement of the Use of Seat Belts on Powered Industrial Trucks in General Industry.	1910.178
10/07/1996	Conflicting medical opinions and determination of the recordability of a case.	1904 - Table of Contents
10/07/1996	A clarification of the rights of a designated employee representative to access an employer's OSHA 200 Log and Summary of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses under 1904.7(b)(1) Access to Records.
10/03/1996	Inquiry on beards, respirator use, and fit testing of repirators.	1910.134
10/02/1996	Food Inspectors lockout/tagout procedures.	1910.147
09/26/1996	Interpretation of the overhead and gantry cranes standard.	1910.179