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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How to Request a Letter of Interpretation

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Date Title Standard Number
Red Light Therapy Wraps 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7
Software used to generate Equivalent OSHA Forms 300 and 300A 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.29, 1904.32, 1904.35, 1904.40, 1904.41
Enforcement Stay of the COVID-19 Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements under 29 CFR 1910.502 1904, 1910.502, 1910.502(q)(2)(ii), 1910.502(q)(3)(ii), 1910.502(q)(3)(iii), 1910.502(q)(3)(iv)
Asbestos standards applicable to disaster remediation of a home structure 1926.1101, 1926.1101(f)(2), 1926.1101(g)(7)(ii), 1926.1101(g)(10), 1926.1101(k)(1)(i)
Is the use of paraffin wax as a form of topical heat application considered medical treatment beyond first aid for OSHA recordkeeping purposes 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904, 1904.7
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Feasibility and "Alternative Methods" 1910.147, 1910.147(f)(1), 1910.147(e)(2), 1910.147(e)(3), 1910.147(d)
Stairway Width 1910.25(c)(4), 1910.28(b)(11)(ii), 1910.35
Inspection Guidance for Animal Slaughtering and Processing Establishments 1903.8, 1904, 1910 Subpart E, 1910.95, 1910.111, 1910.119, 1910.132, 1910.141, 1910.147, 1910.212, 1910.1000, 1910.1200, 1913.10
European Commercial Metric (C-type) tires for commercial cargo vans 1910.177, 1910.177(a)(1)
Applicability of OSHA's definition of oxygen-deficient atmosphere to Air Force facilities 1910.134, 1910.134(d)(2)(iii), 1960, 1960.1, 1960.1(e)
Determining if an employee’s death would be work-related when involved in a motor vehicle accident 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.39, 1904.5
Fall Protection on low slope roofs 1910.28, 1910.28(b)(13)(i), 1910.28(b)(13)(iii)
Requirements of Mobile Ladder Stand Platforms Used to Access CNC Machines 1910.23, 1910.23(b), 1910.23(e), 1910.23(e)(1)(i), 1910.23(e)(2)(i), 1910.23(e)(3)(i), 1910.23(e)(3)(ii), 1910.23(e)(3)(iii), 1910.29(b)(3)
Cranes and the use of protective helmets 1910.135, 1910.135(a)(1), 1910.135(b)(1), 1910.179(n)(3)(vi), 1910.132(d)(1)
Storage of pre-charged air conditioners and heat pumps in warehouses or distribution centers 1910.119(a)
Sanitation facilities for railroad track employees and roadway maintenance groups 1910.141, 1926.51
Enforcement Guidance Under OSHA's Recordkeeping Regulation When First Aid, Active Release Techniques (ART), and Exercise/Stretching Are Used to Treat Musculoskeletal Injuries and Illnesses 1904, 1904.4, 1904.7, 1904.8, 1904.9, 1904.10, 1904.11, 1904.46, 1910.151
Sulfur sticks and hot work requirements 1910.119(k)
Update to Enforcement Procedures for Failure to Submit Electronic Illness and Injury Records under 29 CFR 1904.41(a)(1) and (a)(2) 1904.41, 1904.41(a)(1), 1904.41(a)(2), 1904.41(c), 1904 Subpart E App A, 1904 Subpart E App B
Hazard assessments for PPE at disaster clean-up sites with multiple employers 1910.120, 1910.132, 1910.132(d)(1), 1910.132(d)(2)