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.

Filters


Date Title Standard Number
Company negotiated cited conditions.
Applicability of the PSM standard to storage and transfer of flammable liquids. 1910.119(a)(1)(ii)(B)
Interpretation of the electric power generation, transmission, and distribution standard. 1910.132, 1910.269
OSHA's Standard Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals. 1910.119
Installation and Placement of temporary protective grounds 1910.269
Clarification of the requirements of the Respiratory Protection Standard. 1910.134
Welding, cutting, and heating near flammables. 1926.352(c)
Letter of compliance regarding "HAZCOM" data sheets. 1926.59
Negative exposure assessment for 1926.1101. 1926.1101
The exemption afforded under the benzene standard for oil and gas drilling, production, and servicing operations. 1910.1028
Carburization process and the applicability of Process Safety Management for Highly Hazardous Chemicals. 1910.119
Challenge Testing as a Substitute for Annual Refresher Training. 1910.119, 1910.269
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard. 1910.1200, 1910.1200(b), 1910.1200(b)(6)(vii), 1910.1200(b)(6)(ix), 1910.1200(d), 1910.1200(f), 1910.1200(g)
Interpretation of the OSHA construction standards for electrical branch circuits. 1926.405
Most cited standards for fiscal year 1995 1910 - Table of Contents, 1926 - Table of Contents
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, the requirements for MSDS. 1910.1200
Applicability of 29 CFR 1910.119 Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard to the Manufacture of Explosives Required Under 29 CFR 1910.109(k)(2) 1910.109
Clarification of the access provisions to the OSHA No. 200.
Interpretation of the Process Safety Management Highly Hazardous Chemicals standard. 1910.119
If a fall restraint system could be considered a form of fall protection to be used instead of guardrails, safety lines, or fall arrest systems. 1926.502