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.

NOTICE:

How to Request a Letter of Interpretation

Filters


Date Title Standard Number
Appropriate quality standards for PPE. 1910.1030
State approval of a State occupational safety and health program.
Key to open locked exits. 1910.36
HHC's as it applies to employer obligation to obtain and evaluate information regarding the contract employer's safety performance and programs 1910.119
Central repository for violence in the workplace materials.
Recording of a hearing injury. 1904 - Table of Contents
Process Safety Management Standard (PSM) of Highly Hazardous Chemicals (HHCs) standard. 1910.119
MSDSs must be distributed to customer with shipment of chemical. 1910.1200
HHC's as it applies to pulp and paper industry processes that contain chlorine dioxide 1910.119
Out-of-doors emergency eyewash and shower installations in freezing and hot temperature areas. 1910.151
Applicability of 1910.1030 to establish human cell lines. 1910.1030
Clarifications of the OSHA standards 1910.109 and 1910.119. 1910.109, 1910.119
Spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials. 1910.107
Cadmium biological monitoring. 1910.1027, 1915.1027, 1926.1127
Fall Protection for Steep Roofs and During the Performance of Built-Up Roofing Work. 1926.451
Clarification of the terms "direct staring" and "incidental observing". 1926.54(j)
Decontamination of a plush carpet surface after a spill. 1910.1030, 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii)(A)
HHC's as it applies to hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide. 1910.119
Fall protection for steel erection and the requirements for lifting tandem loads. 1926.550
HHC's as it applies to exterior, interior tanks. 1910.119