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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Date Title Standard Number
Exemption under the benzene standard for oil and gas drilling operations. 1910.1028(a)(2)(vi), 1910.1000 TABLE Z-2
Tagout devices must be non-reusable and self-locking. 1910.269(d)(3)(ii)(D), 1910.269(d)(6)(iv)(B)
Clarification of requirements for construction scaffold erection/dismantling; safe means of access; blocks for two-point suspension scaffolds. 1926.451, 1926.451(a)(3), 1926.451(a)(4), 1926.451(b)(1), 1926.451(b)(1)(i), 1926.451(c)(1)(iii), 1926.451(d)(16), 1926.451(d)(17), 1926.451(f)(3), 1926.451(e), 1926.451(e)(9)(i), 1926.451(e)(9)(ii), 1926.451(e)(9)(iii), 1926.451(e)(9)(iv), 1926.451(g)(1), 1926.452(p)(3), 1926.1431
Bridge construction will not be exempted from the sheer connector requirements of 1926.754(c)(1). 1926.754, 1926.754(c)(1)
Decision to release the new compliance directive for the steel erection standard in draft form. 1926.750, 1926.751, 1926.752, 1926.753, 1926.754, 1926.755, 1926.756, 1926.757, 1926.758, 1926.759, 1926.760, 1926.761
Determining the controlling employer with the role of providing general supervisory authority when using multi-employer two-step analysis citation policy. 1926.16
Guarding requirements for a rotary pneumatic angle-drive hand-held tool. 1910.12, 1910.12(b), 1926.32, 1926.32(g), 1926.300(b)(1), 1926.300, 1926.301, 1926.302, 1926.303, 1926.304, 1926.305, 1926.306, 1926.307
Exemptions for installation of guardrails on wall (interior) side. 1926.451, 1926.452, 1926.453, 1926.454, 1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(4)(i), 1926.451(b)(3), 1926.451(g)(1)(iv), 1926.451(g)(2), 1926.450
Installation of the HBS Composite Action System's continous plate prior to erection of beam poses tripping hazard. 1926.754(c)(1)(i)
Ladder-access gates in scaffold configuration. 1915.71(k), 1926.451(e)
Applicable standards to lifting personnel on a platform supported by a rough-terrain forklift. 1926.451, 1926.451(a)(1), 1926.451(a)(6), 1926.451(c)(2)(iv), 1926.451(c)(2)(v), 1926.452, 1926.453, 1926.454, 1926.602, 1926.602(c), 1926.602(c)(1)(vi), 1926.602(c)(1)(viii), 1926.602(d)
Response to the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act. 1910.1030(d)(2)(i), 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)
Process hazard analysis facilitator's training requirements. 1910.119(e)(4)
Qualifications for resetting circuits or replacing fuses; electrical enclosures must be approved. 1910.334(b)(2), 1910.333(c)(2)
Recording of cases in which a health care professional issues a prescription, whether that prescription is filled or not. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(A)
Criteria for trade secret status 1910.1200(i)
OSHA does not certify oven inspectors;must be representative of the oven manufacturer. 1910.263(l)(9)(ii)
Clarification of minimum face velocity requirements for spray booths 1910.107(b)(5), 1910.94(c)(6)(i), 1910.1000
Acceptable methods to reduce heat stress hazards in the workplace.
OSHA has no authority over merchant/customer relationships. 1975.3