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
11/01/1995	OSHA Asbestos Standard.	1910.1001
11/01/1995	Clarification of "mechanical chipping device" used in floor tile removal.	1926.1101
11/01/1995	Review Commission E-Z Trial Process.
11/01/1995	The interpretation of the OSHA standards 1910.134 and 1910.156 which address the requirements for workers who are actively conducting operations in atmospheres that are immediately dangerous to life and health.	1910.134(g)(3), 1910.134(g)(4)
11/01/1995	The applicability of Subpart M to equipment covered by ANSI A92, and an interpretation with regard to suspended cages and work platforms on forklift trucks.	1926 Subpart L, 1926 Subpart M, 1926 Subpart N
10/27/1995	Guidance in determining whether elevator pits meet the definition of confined spaces.	1910.146, 1910.146(b), 1910.146(c)(7), 1910.147
10/27/1995	Determining whether certain spaces meet the definition of a "confined space" according to the Permit-Required Confined Spaces standard.	1910.146
10/27/1995	Applying Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS) standard to a workplace that is a multi-family residential commercial building	1910.146
10/25/1995	The (PSM) for Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard and its applicability to the specific scenarios outlined.	1910.119, 1910.1200
10/24/1995	Fall protection for post-frame work.	1926.500(a)
10/23/1995	Ozone-resistant electrical protective equipment.	1910.137, 1910.137(a)(1), 1910.137(b)(2), 1910.137(b)(2)(viii), 1910.137(b)(2)(ix), 1910.137(b)(2)(xi)
10/23/1995	Bloodborne Pathogens and the issue of latex allergy and latex hypersensitivity	1910.1030
10/23/1995	Determining whether certain spaces routinely would be considered confined spaces by applying the (PRCS) standard's definition.	1910.146
10/19/1995	OSHA's Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard.	1910.120
10/18/1995	When permits are required for entry into a permit required confined space.	1910.146
10/18/1995	Interpretation of 1910.146 regarding permits and multiple sewer entries along a common line.	1910.146
10/18/1995	Recordkeeping issues raised in the Spokane County Health District.	1904 - Table of Contents
10/18/1995	Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Final Rule.	1910.269
10/17/1995	Guidance for reporting work related fatalities and catastrophes which occur during over-the-road operations.	1904 - Table of Contents
10/17/1995	Several OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping issues.	1904 - Table of Contents