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
Single-point suspension scaffold safety. 1926.451, 1926.451(g)(1), 1926.451(g)(3)(iii), 1926.552, 1926.552(c)(7)
Whether an employer is permitted to double wrap #9 gage steel wire in order to guy, tie or brace a scaffold. 1926.451, 1926.451(a)(1), 1926.451(c)
Use of toeboards across scaffold access points. 1926.451, 1926.451(h)(2)
Whether guardrails are required on a two-point adjustable scaffold while workers who are tied off are painting the undercarriage of a water storage tank. 1926.451, 1926.451(b)(2)(ii), 1926.451(b)(3), 1926.451(g)(1)(ii)
Fully Planked and Decked Scaffold 1926.451, 1926.451(b)(1)
Fall protection requirements for employees working on an elevator car frame. 1926.500(b), 1926.501(b)(1), 1926.502(d), 1926.502(d)(15)
Application of OSHA's de minimis policy to the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.452(o)(3) and 29 CFR 1926.552(c)(1) - 1926.552(c)(4), 1926.552(c)(8), 1926.552(c)(13), 926.552(c)(14)(i), and 1926.552(c)(16) regarding certain chimney construction work. 1926.452, 1926.452(o)(3), 1926.552, 1926.552(c)
Whether a manufacturer-stipulated minimum anchor point elevation of 18 feet precludes the use of a shock absorbing lanyard in an aerial lift. 1926.453(a)(1)(v), 1926.453(b)(2)(v), 1926.500(a)(3)(i), 1926.500(b), 1926.502(d), 1926.502(d)(15), 1926.502(d)(16)(iii)
Whether catch platforms (used to catch an employee in the event of a fall from a working surface above) must comply with OSHA's scaffold standard, Subpart L. 1926.450(b), 1926.451(a)(1), 1926 Subpart L
Determining scaffold support capability. 1910.28, 1910.28(a)(2), 1910.28(a)(4)
Are podium ladders covered under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X or Subpart L? 1926.450(a), 1926.450(b), 1926.452(w), 1926 Subpart L, 1926 Subpart X
"Scaffolds" 1926 Subpart L
Clarification of the phrase "when required" as used specifically in 29 CFR 1910.28. 1910.28, 1910.28(a)(17), 1910.28(c)(14), 1910.28(d)(7)
Re: Application of OSHA's de minimis policy to the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.452(o)(3) and 29 CFR 1926.552(c)(1) - 1926.552(c)(4), 1926.552(c)(8), 1926.552(c)(13), 1926.552(c)(14)(i), and 1926.552(c)(16) regarding certain chimney construction work. 1926.20, 1926.20(b), 1926.32, 1926.32(f), 1926.32(m), 1926.104, 1926.451, 1926.451(a)(1), 1926.452, 1926.452(o)(3), 1926.502, 1926.502(d), 1926.552, 1926.552(a)(3), 1926.552(c)
Re: Subpart L; scaffolds; Companion Rail, rail extensions for mobile scaffolds; 1926.451. 1926.451, 1926.451(a), 1926.451(g)(1), 1926.451(g)(4)(i), 1926.452, 1926.452(w)
Guardrail requirements for two point suspension scaffolds. 1926.451, 1926.451(b)(3), 1926.451(g)(1)(ii), 1926.451(g)(1)(vi), 1926.451(g)(4)(i)
Recording an injury when physician recommends restriction but no restricted work is available. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.7
Whether plywood may be used as scaffold decking material over wood scaffold planks; 29 CFR 1926.450 and 1926.451. 1926.450, 1926.450(b), 1926.451(a), 1926.451(a)(1), 1926.451(a)(6), 1926.451(b)(1)(i), 1926.451(f)(1), 1926.451(f)(16)
Safety factor when "worst-case" force is applied to safety rail support product intended for ladder jack scaffold systems; §1926.451(a)(1) 1926.451, 1926.451(a)(1)
Whether 29 CFR 1926.1053(a)(18) and 1926.1053(a)(19) apply to an attachable ladder used on scaffolding. 1926.451, 1926.451(e)(2), 1926.1053, 1926.1053(a)(18), 1926.1053(a)(19)