OSHA Reviews Construction Rule Interpretation Letters for Consistency

More than 2,000 rule interpretation letters covering construction regulations are under review by OSHA’s Directorate of Construction, according to directorate chief Dean McKenzie.

The interpretation letters, some issued more than 40 years ago, answer specific questions posed to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration—often by employers, consultants and labor unions—about which practices the agency’s regulations allow. Inspectors can use interpretation letters to determine whether an employer is complying with OSHA requirements.

The letters are posted on OSHA’s website, sorted by date and standard.

The purpose of the review to ensure that letters no longer representing current OSHA policies and ...