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
10/13/1995	Comments on Stamco Industries Inc., permanent variance application.	1910.217
10/12/1995	General concerns in the Construction Industry.	1926 - Table of Contents
10/12/1995	Compliance Policy Concerning 29 CFR 1910.146.	1910.146
10/12/1995	Clarification on whether the ozone process described is covered by the PSM Standard.	1910.119
10/12/1995	Clarification on the use of flexible cords and cables as temporary wiring for research projects.	1910.305
10/11/1995	Clarification of OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard with regards to the carcinogenicity of wood dust	1910.1200
10/11/1995	Clarification on OSHA's policy regarding Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health since NIOSH has lowered several IDLH levels.	1910.134(d), 1910.134(d)(2)
10/06/1995	Interpretation of a lifting device and its ability to act as a rescue retrieval system as it applies to OSHA's permit required confined space entry standard.	1910.146
10/06/1995	MSDSs for chemicals purchased prior to 1985.	1910.1200
10/06/1995	Clarification of the OSHA reference to welding rods in a March 21, Memorandum to Regional Administrators.	1910.1200
10/06/1995	Interpretation of the provision of the Permit Required Confined Spaces Standard	1910.146
10/06/1995	8-hour total weight average (TWA) permissible exposure limit (PEL).	1910.1000, 1910.1001, 1910.1017, 1910.1018, 1910.1025, 1910.1027, 1910.1028, 1910.1029, 1910.1043, 1910.1044, 1910.1045, 1910.1047, 1910.1048, 1910.1050, 1910.1051, 1910.1052
10/05/1995	Letter of compliance for a ladder stand-off with handrails device.	1926.1053
09/29/1995	The use of solvent aerosol for controlling exposure to asbestos during automotive brake repair.	1910.1001(f)(3)
09/28/1995	The appropriate method for assessing hydrogen sulfide peak exposure levels	1910.1000
09/27/1995	Interpretation of the Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard.	1910.119, 1910.147
09/27/1995	The Lockout/Tagout Standard.	1910.147
09/26/1995	Fall Protection.	1926.502(k)
09/26/1995	Fall Protection Standards.	1926.501(b)(5)
09/26/1995	Ironworkers involved in steel erection activities must be protected from falls.	1926.501