Standard Interpretations - Publication Date | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Standard Interpretations

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.

December

12/30/1983 - Use of an Aluminum Pole Jack Scaffold at a 50 foot shoulder working height. - [1910.28; 1926.451]
12/22/1983 - Paragraph (a)(2) applies to respirators provided for emergency use. - [1910.134(a)(2)]

November

11/29/1983 - Work in compressed air and underground tunnelling. - [1926.804; 1926.803]
11/17/1983 - Propane tank installation in passenger-carrying vehicles. - [1910.110(e)(4)(i)]
11/14/1983 - Testing requirements for piping, valves, and fittings; Testing requirements for piping, valves, and fittings - [1910.106(c)(1)(i); 1910.106(b)(7)]
11/09/1983 - Diking requirements for cyanide electroplating baths. - [1910.126(e)]

October

10/24/1983 - Mobile construction scaffolding. - [1926.451]
10/23/1983 - Carcinogen standards requirements for fume hood face velocities do not apply to laboratories. - [1910.1003; 1910.1016]
10/17/1983 - One type of muff and plug available for employee hearing protector selection. - [1910.95(i)(3)]
10/13/1983 - A free standing scaffold shall be considered safe when the total height is equal to or less than four times the minimum or least base dimension. - [1926.451(d)(7)]
10/04/1983 - Nuisance dust standard applies to grain dust exposures. - [1910.1000]
10/04/1983 - The use of self-tripping on hydraulic power presses. - [1910.217]

September

09/30/1983 - Ear muffs and ear plugs are not both required if one offers protection. - [1910.95(i)(3)]
09/27/1983 - Notification requirements for standard threshold shifts. - [1910.95]
09/23/1983 - Employee access to medical records. - [1910.1020]
09/16/1983 - Applicability of the noise standard to portable ear muff type radios. - [1910.95]
09/06/1983 - Interpretation on applicable standards for bulk coal handling facility at a marine terminal. - [1917]
09/01/1983 - Fall restraint systems for employees building scaffolds in a location where the scaffold that is being built provides the only tie-off point. - [1926.451]

August

08/31/1983 - Alternatives to safety glass protected by screening for observation windows, where hard deep-cutting abrasives are used. - [1910.94(a)(3)(i)(d)]
08/29/1983 - Clarification of the words "open sides" for two-point suspension scaffolds. - [1910.28]
08/23/1983 - Clarification on standards for head protection. - [1926.100; 1910.132; 1910.135]
08/23/1983 - OSHA has no specific standards for security guards. - [1910.141]
08/15/1983 - Citation guidelines in relation to monitoring programs. - [1910.95(d)]
08/10/1983 - "Mr. Ouch" Labeling System. - [1910.303]
08/10/1983 - Applicable standards for a body belt and lanyard used by a lineman working from the bucket or aerial boom trucks. - [1926.959]
08/10/1983 - The use of cranes with work platforms connected (not suspended) from the last section of a crane boom. - [1910.67]
08/09/1983 - Interpretation of standards applicable to battery storage installations. - [1910.304(f); 1910.305(j)(7)]
08/04/1983 - Methods of training for microprocessor audiometer technicians. - [1910.95(c)]
08/03/1983 - Clarification of the powered, air-purifying respirator provisions of the lead standard. - [1910.1025(f)(2)(ii)]

July

June

06/28/1983 - OSHA requirement for guarding power take-off (PTO) shafts on agricultural equipment. - [1928.57]
06/15/1983 - Acceptance of closed-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus. - [1910.156]
06/15/1983 - Biopacks are acceptable for fire brigade use; Biopacks are acceptable as SCBA's and may be used in IDLH atmospheres. - [1910.156(f); 1910.134(c)]
06/14/1983 - Employer's responsibility when an employee refuses blood lead testing. - [1910.1025(j)]
06/10/1983 - Evaluation of new aluminum ladder jack. - [1910.28(q)(3); 1926.452(k)(3)]
06/10/1983 - NEMA's "Mr. Ouch" labeling system cannot be used in place of signs required by OSHA. - [1910.145; 1926.200]
06/10/1983 - The safeguarding of piece parts being worked on an outside diameter (O.D.) surface grinder. - [1910.212]
06/08/1983 - Audiometer calibration requirements of the March 8, 1983 Hearing Conservation Amendment. - [1910.95(h)(5)]
06/06/1983 - Clarification that a safety device to automatically cut off the flow of compressed air applies only to pneumatic power tools - [1926.302(b)(7)]

May

05/31/1983 - Hazardous exposures to pesticides may be cited under the general duty clause. - [1910.1000]
05/26/1983 - Natural or mined asphalts do not fall within the scope of the Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles Standard - [1910.1002]
05/24/1983 - Comparison to baseline audiograms and retest audiograms - [1910.95]
05/19/1983 - OSHA requires a safety net unless the employer complys with one of the options allowed in 29 CFR 1926.105(a). - [1926.105]
05/12/1983 - Evaluation of variance application requesting the use of proof coil and high test chain slings under certain procedures. - [1910.184(e)]
05/11/1983 - Employee noise exposure assessment records are part of audiometric test record. - [1910.95]
05/03/1983 - Requirement to make a positive determination of work-relatedness of threshold shift revoked. - [1910.95]
05/02/1983 - Requirements for the use of stilts in the construction industry. - [1926]
05/01/1983 - Noise regulations apply to all places of entertainment. - [1910.95]

April

04/26/1983 - Methods of training for microprocessor audiometer technicians. - [1910.95]
04/25/1983 - An explanation of the employers responsibilities under the lead standard. - [1910.1025]
04/14/1983 - Guards for the moving parts of farm equipment and the feasibility of interlocks. - [1928]
04/08/1983 - Petroleum asphalt removed from coverage under the Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles Standard - [1910.1000]
04/08/1983 - Use of "Light Duty" Pneumatic Tackers (Staplers) Without Pressure Release Levers. - [1910.243]
04/06/1983 - An electroacoustic ear can be used for daily testing of an audiometer. - [1910.95]
04/06/1983 - No time limit from date of annual audiogram to standard threshold shift determination. - [1910.95(g)(1)]

March

03/31/1983 - Interpretations of the terms "large quantity" and "transfer". - [1910.106]
03/29/1983 - Paint thinner can be stored in approved plastic one-gallon containers. - [1910.106(d)(2)]
03/29/1983 - The hearing conservation amendment does not cover construction or agriculture. - [1926.52]
03/17/1983 - Interpretation of 1910.107 as it applies to glue spraying operations. - [1910.107(m)]
03/16/1983 - Positive determination of work-relatedness of standard threshold shift not required. - [1910.95(c)]
03/11/1983 - Clarification relative to scaffold heights under 10 feet. - [1926.451]
03/07/1983 - Clarification on physical qualifications for crane operators. - [1910.179(b)(2)]
03/01/1983 - Interpretation of "employee exposure record". - [1918.94(c); 1910.1020(c)(5)(i); 1910.1020(e)]

February

02/25/1983 - Hinged rest platforms cannot be used for fixed ladders. - [1910.27(d)(2)]
02/09/1983 - Perimeter protection at setback roof levels. - [1910.23(e)(3)(v)]

January

01/28/1983 - Clarification of Fire Protection, Exit Routes, and Hazardous Material Standards. - [1910.38; 1910.157; 1910.38(e); 1910.157(g)(1)]
01/24/1983 - Status and applicability of Thiram standards in Washington and Oregon. - [1910.1000]
01/14/1983 - Tennessee's fire protection standard. - [1910.156(a)(2)]