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 Standard Number
Fixed Ladders, Rest Platforms, Personal Fall Protection, Ladder Safety Systems, Ladder Cages and Wells 2 1910.28, 1910.29
Fall Protection Requirements for Fixed Ladders 6 1910.23(b)(12), 1910.23(b)(13), 1910.28(b)(9), 1910.29(b), 1910.29(g)(3), 1910.29(g)(4)
Heat Initiative: Inspection Guidance 12 1904.7(b)(5), 1910.132, 1910.134, 1910.141, 1910.1020, 1915.88, 1917.127, 1918.95, 1926.20, 1926.21, 1926.51, 1928.110
Trip and Emergency Switches on Mills and Calenders 8 1910.216, 1910.212(a)(3)(iv)(e), 1910.212(a)(3)(iv)(i), 1910.216(e), 1910.216(f)(1), 1910.216(f)(2), 1910.216(f)(3), 1910.147
Use of generic safety data sheets and consumer products 3 1910.1200(b)(6)(ix), 1910.1200(g), 1910.1200(g)(4)
NRTL Certification for New Product Design 6 1910.7, 1910.178, 1910.6, 1910.6(e)(29), 1910.140, 1910.155(c)(3)(iv)(A)
Application of OSHA’s HAZWOPER standard to homeless camp cleanup operations 4 1910.120, 1910.120(a)(1)(iii), 1910.120(a)(2)(i), 1910.120(a)(3)
Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) 5 1910.132, 1910.134, 1910.141, 1910.145, 1910.1020
Coverage of lithium-ion batteries under the Hazard Communication standard 6 1910.1200, 1910.1200(b)(1), 1910.1200(b)(5)(v), 1910.1200(b)(6)(v), 1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(d)(1)
Group Lockout or Tagout 1 1910.147(f)(3)
Enforcement Procedures for Failure to Submit Electronic Illness and Injury Records under 29 CFR 1904.41(a)(1) and (a)(2) 4 1904.41, 1904.41(a)(1), 1904.41(a)(2)
Minimum approach distance (MAD) requirements covered under 1910.269 when installing protective grounding equipment 4 1910.269, 1910.269(l)(3), 1910.269(m)(3)(viii), 1910.269(n)(3)
Measurement of background noise levels for audiograms 2 1910.95(h)(4), 1910.95 App D
PSM Coverage of LNG Facilities 1 1910.119
Classifying cloth-like wipes saturated with a hazardous solution under OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard 3 1910.1200(b)(1), 1910.1200(b)(2), 1910.1200(d)(1)
Hands-on training requirements of the OSHA HAZWOPER 1 1910.120(e)(3)
Interim Enforcement Guidance for the 2020 Final Beryllium Standards 3 1910.1024, 1915.1024, 1926.1124
Use of powered-air purifying respirators (PAPR) for welding operations and assigned protection factor 1 1910.134(d)(3)(i)(A)
HCS compliant labeling of outer and inner packaging 2 1910.1200(c), 1910.1200(f)(1)
HCS listing of occupational exposure limits (OELs) in section 8 on a safety data sheet (SDS), and applicability of different exposures to pharmaceutical drugs 2 1910.1200(b)(6)(vii), 1910.1200(g)(2)(viii)