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

12/28/1990 - "Brett-Guard" style blade guard meets hand-fed ripsaw requirements - [1910.213(c)]
12/28/1990 - Applicability of 1910.120 to the Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project - [1910.120(a)(1)(i)]
12/21/1990 - Jurisdiction over tanks of malodorant gas. - [1975.1]
12/21/1990 - Potential release of hazardous substances from heat shrink products - [1910.1200(b)(2)]
12/12/1990 - Lead Standard medical removal requirements and blood lead level testing - [1910.1025(j)(2)(ii); 1910.1025(k)(1)(i)]
12/11/1990 - Cleaning petroleum storage tanks located in tank terminals and refineries. - [1910.120]
12/06/1990 - Adjusting cotton dust permissible exposure limits (PELs) for extended work shifts. - [1910.1043]
12/06/1990 - Material safety data sheets (MSDSs) under the Hazard Communication Standard. - [1910.1200]

November

11/28/1990 - Information from (OSHA) Pamphlet 3000. - [1903.14; 1903.20]
11/27/1990 - Employee exposure to consumer products. - [1910.1200]
11/26/1990 - Clarification of the "Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories" regulations regarding a Physician's written opinion - [1910.1450]
11/26/1990 - Hazwoper does not require training for employees not involved or exposed to hazardous waste areas. - [1910.120]
11/19/1990 - HCS applicability to hazardous by-products such as Ozone- generating operations - [1910.1200(b)(1)]
11/15/1990 - "Laboratory setting" and subsequent requirements for Hazwoper. - [1910.120; 1910.1200]
11/15/1990 - Intermittent stabilization system building anchors and components for powered platforms for exterior building maintenance. - [1910.66]
11/15/1990 - Intermittent stabilization system building anchors and components for powered platforms for exterior building maintenance. - [1910.66]
11/15/1990 - The type and quantity of rescue equipment that is required and whether a provision for outside rescue teams can be used in conjunction with an in-house rescue plan. - [1910.272]
11/14/1990 - Inspection conducted by OSHA at the Greater Pittsburg Internation Airport. FAA Jurisdiction - [1975.1]
11/09/1990 - Communication Standard (HCS) to hydrotreated refined oils. - [1910.1200]
11/09/1990 - Container labeling requirements under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard - [1910.1200(f)]
11/09/1990 - First responders, training, hazardous materials technician, etc. - [1910.120; 1910.120(q)(6)(ii); 1910.120(q)(6)(iii)]
11/01/1990 - Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories. - [1910.1450]

October

10/23/1990 - Full time contract personnel at plant facility considered "workplace employees" - [1910.120(q)(11)]
10/18/1990 - Hazard communication program on site and standard covering electrical installation, maintenance or repair. - [1910.1200(e); 1910.331; 1910.332]
10/15/1990 - Control systems used for emergency evacuation are required to be listed by Underwriter's Laboratories. - [1910.303; 1910.303(a)]
10/15/1990 - Hazard Communication Standard. - [1910.1200]
10/15/1990 - Point-of-operation guards for drill presses and lathes. - [1910.212(a)(1)]
10/12/1990 - Requirements for providing MSDS information for carcinogens which are a residue in a mixture - [1910.1200(d)(5)]
10/11/1990 - Quality control laboratories are not expected to be covered under the Laboratory Standard - [1910.1450]
10/10/1990 - Emergency eye and face wash products. - [1910.133]
10/05/1990 - Enforcement policy of not citing employees for violations for the safety and health standards.
10/04/1990 - Material Safety Data Sheets for methanol, windshield washer concentrate, and windshield washer solvent. - [1910.1200]

September

09/27/1990 - Ionizing radiation hazards in the workplace - [1910.1096; 1926.53]
09/24/1990 - Driver training and seat belt use. - [1975.1]
09/24/1990 - Fall Protection Standards for Pole Climbing. - [1926.501]
09/24/1990 - Standards for Rollover Protective Structures. - [1928]
09/17/1990 - Blasters Circuit Testers. - [1926.906; 1910.109(e)(4)]
09/12/1990 - Hazard Communication Standard, pertinent to distributors of hazardous chemicals. - [1910.1200]
09/07/1990 - Applicability of the new Electrical Safety final rule, Subpart S, to the construction industry - [1910.333; 1910.332; 1910.334; 1910.335]
09/07/1990 - Feasibility of Guarding ESCO Swaging Presses. - [1910.212]
09/07/1990 - Incorporation of the Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) into current Hazard Communication and/or other related manuals - [1910.1450]
09/07/1990 - Standards regarding overhead protection (ROPS, canopies, etc.) for operators of log skidders. - [1910.266]
09/06/1990 - Clarification for Employee Alarm Systems. - [1910.165]
09/06/1990 - Coke Oven Emissions - [1910.1029]
09/06/1990 - High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filters for Vacuum Cleaning. - [1910.1001; 1926.1101]
09/05/1990 - Interpretation of Standards. - [1910.252]
09/05/1990 - Training not required if employees not likely to be exposed to or participate in emergency response activities. - [1910.120]
09/04/1990 - Smoking and occupational exposure to asbestos - [1910.1001(i)(4); 1926.1101(j)(4)]

August

08/31/1990 - Construction multi-employer worksites. - [1910.12(c); 1926; 1926.13; 1926.16]
08/24/1990 - Product endorsement policy and telephone headsets. - [1910.95; 1910.7]
08/23/1990 - Portam Process asbestos abatement equipment use for asbestos removal. - [1926.1101; 1926.1101(e); 1926.1101(g)(5)(i)]
08/22/1990 - OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard. - [1910.1200]
08/10/1990 - Trailer mounted vacuum system and bagging station used in asbestos abatement. - [1926.1101(e)]
08/08/1990 - Laboratory Standard does not cover routine tests supporting production but non-routine, non-production-related tests are covered - [1910.1450]
08/08/1990 - Medical surveillance requirements of the formaldehyde standard - [1910.1048(l)]
08/01/1990 - Limitation on Enforcement of Certain Subsections of the Excavation Standard. - [1975.1; 1926.651(g)(1)(iii); 1926.651(g)(2)(i)]
08/01/1990 - OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard. - [1910.1200]

July

07/31/1990 - Considerations for "incidental" spills cleaned up by maintenance personnel to satisfy the definition of "emergency response" - [1910.120(a)(3)]
07/30/1990 - Applicability of Field Sanitation Standard to Reforestation Activities. - [1928.110]
07/30/1990 - Interpretation of "high degree of acute toxicity" under the laboratory standard - [1910.1450(e)(3)(viii); 1910.1450(b)]
07/26/1990 - Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code Handbook. - [1910.106; 1910.110]
07/25/1990 - Application of the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard to Specific Operations - [1910.120(q)]
07/23/1990 - OSHA acceptance and treatment of abatement methods specified in the proposed standard 1910.28, Fall Protection Systems. - [1910.28]
07/23/1990 - Regarding the application of the OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard to the labeling of fabricated products. - [1910.1200]
07/20/1990 - Use of a strobe light in lieu of an audible backup alarm. - [1926.602]
07/18/1990 - Training requirements for employees doing occasional maintenance or repair work on a disposal site - [1910.120(p)(7)]
07/17/1990 - Hazard Communication Standard - [1910.1200]
07/12/1990 - Clarification of 1910.184, Wire Rope Slings and their inspection. - [1910.184]
07/10/1990 - Radial saw guards and table saw guarding systems. - [1910.212]
07/06/1990 - Interpretation on whether "an equivalent electronic information system" could be used in lieu of MSDSs to satisfy the HCS. - [1910.1200(g)]
07/05/1990 - Interpretation of Substances With High Acute Toxicity as Used in the Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in the Laboratory Standard - [1910.1450]
07/05/1990 - Repair/Rebuilding of UL Listed Equipment for Hazardous Locations. - [1910.303(a); 1910.399]
07/03/1990 - Fire brigades and portable fire extinguishers standards. - [1910.156; 1910.38; 1910.39]

June

06/27/1990 - "Guidelines for the preparation of warning labels for carbon and graphite electrical products". - [1910.1200]
06/22/1990 - Application of the formaldehyde standard, 1910.1048, to private medical school personnel - [1910.1048]
06/22/1990 - The laboratory standard does not apply to a pharmacy operation mixing cytotoxic drugs. - [1910.1450(a)(1)]
06/21/1990 - A Nurse Call Communication System. - [1975.3]
06/21/1990 - Brake drawbar drag requirements for forklifts. - [1910.178(a)(2)]
06/14/1990 - Concerning the conditions under which material data safety sheets are required. - [1910.1200]
06/14/1990 - Interpretation of OSHA standards 1910.261(a)(1) and 1910.261(a)(4)(ii) - [1910.261; 1910.261(a)(1); 1910.261(a)(4)(ii)]
06/14/1990 - OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard. - [1910.1200]
06/13/1990 - First Aid treatment required within 3 to 4 minutes of injury - [1926.106(d)]
06/13/1990 - Ventilation for an anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system. - [1910.134; 1910.307(b); 1910.1000; 1910.1200]
06/12/1990 - Crane equipped with a torque converter. - [1926.550(g)(3)(ii)(D)]
06/11/1990 - Respirator rules as applied to open hatch gauging of sour crude oil storage tanks. - [1910.134]
06/05/1990 - Use of NFPA 1124-1988 when inspecting Fireworks Manufacturing Facilities. - [1910.109]
06/04/1990 - Provision of computer generated or FAX transmission MSDSs - [1910.1200(g)(9); 1910.1200(g)(10)]
06/02/1990 - Enforcement Guidance - 29 CFR 1910.272(i)(2) - Standard for Grain Handling Facilities - [1910.272(i)(2)]

May

05/29/1990 - State of Iowa CASPA.
05/25/1990 - Orthodontics wires considered as "sharps" under CPL 2-2.69 - [1910.141]
05/24/1990 - Bay Nets Safety System. - [1910.23(a)(5)]
05/24/1990 - Solid State Electronic AC Motor Brakes. - [1910.212]
05/22/1990 - The Field Sanitation Standard, as it relates to the number of workers excluded from coverage. - [1928]
05/18/1990 - Inspecting and maintaining fire extinguishers. - [1910.157(e)(1); 1910.157(e)(3)]
05/17/1990 - Head clearance requirements for fixed ladders used on FAA radio communication towers. - [1910.27(c)(1); 1910.268(a)(3); 1910.268(h)]
05/16/1990 - Application of the HCS MSDS requirements to distributors selling hazardous chemicals to consumers and employers. - [1910.1200]
05/16/1990 - Availability of MSDSs on Construction Sites - [1926.59 ; 1910.1200(e)(2); 1910.1200(g)(8)]
05/16/1990 - Formaldehyde standard and private medical school personnel - [1910.1048]
05/16/1990 - Regarding labeling requirements order the OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard. - [1910.1200]
05/04/1990 - OSHA requires a minimum of 2 and at least 10% blanks be taken for all samples regardless of purpose. - [1910.1001 App A; 1926.1101 App A; 1915.1001 App A]
05/03/1990 - Flammable and Combustible liquids. - [1910.106]
05/03/1990 - Interim response to the intent of "advance first-aid" mentioned in 1910.120(q)(3)(vi). - [1910.120(q)(3)(vi)]
05/03/1990 - Red Baron Negative Air Enclosure System - [1926.58(e)(6)]

April

04/26/1990 - Clarification of 29 CFR 1910.1047(h)(2) Requirements for Emergency EtO Limit - [1910.1047]
04/26/1990 - The use of flammable and combustible liquids in dip tanks. - [1910.106; 1910.123; 1910.124; 1910.125; 1910.126]
04/24/1990 - Training requirements in 29 CFR 1910.120 concerning hazardous waste cleanup operations. - [1910.120; 1910.120(e)]
04/09/1990 - Interpretation of OSHA's Fire Brigade Standard concerning the use of SCBAs by incipient stage fire brigade members - [1910.155(c)(26); 1910.156]
04/04/1990 - Application of 1910.120 to cleanup of nuclear and hazardous waste - [1910.120]
04/04/1990 - Effectiveness of the Glove Box for removal of asbestos-containing pipe insulation. - [1926.1101(g)(5)(iv)]
04/04/1990 - Letter to Diesel Fuel Manufacturers - [1910.1200]
04/03/1990 - Hazard Communication Standard. - [1910.1200]

March

03/30/1990 - Underground Storage Tanks - [1910.120]
03/21/1990 - Machine guarding for drilling operations. - [1910 Subpart O; 1910.212(a)(1)]
03/20/1990 - HCS on Hazard warnings required on product labels - [1910.1200(f)]
03/13/1990 - Clarification explaining that chest X-rays be retained in their original form. - [1910.1020(c)(6)(i)(B); 1910.1020(d)(2)]
03/13/1990 - Clarification of OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) as it applies to independent contractors operating in beauty salons. - [1910.1200]
03/08/1990 - An engine overhaul work station being developed. - [1910.179(n)(3)(vi)]
03/05/1990 - Observation of monitoring requirement at 1910.95(f) in the occupational noise exposure standard - [1910.95(f)]
03/05/1990 - Requirements relating to spirometry contained in the cotton dust standard at 1910.1043 Appendix D. - [1910.1043]

February

02/28/1990 - Dole v. Steelworkers, Supreme Court decision - [1910.1200]
02/28/1990 - The listing requirements in the U.S. for Industrial Packaging equipment. - [1910.302; 1910.303(b)(2); 1910.308; 1910.399]
02/21/1990 - Training requirements under 1910.120 for General firefighters and police officers - [1910.120(a)(3); 1910.120(q)(6)]
02/14/1990 - Application of the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to Independent beauty salon Contractors - [1975.3; 1910.1200(b)]
02/07/1990 - The transmittal of material safety data sheets (MSDS). - [1910.1200]
02/06/1990 - 29 CFR 1910.1020 Application to Workplace Drug Testing Results - [1910.1020; 1910.1020(c)]
02/06/1990 - Jurisdiction over Tank Car Drivers and Helpers. - [1975.1]
02/05/1990 - Clarification of whether employee emergency action or fire prevention plans need to be in written form - [1910.38; 1910.39; 1910.38(b); 1910.39(b)]

January