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
Interpretation on standards for use of cranes during high wind conditions. 1910.37, 1910.37(b)(4), 1910.27, 1917.45, 1917.45(g)(3)
Requirements for hangers for two-point suspension scaffolds. 1926.451(i)(2)
Wire rope and/or cable as a method of perimeter protection for a building under construction. 1926.500, 1926.451
Fall protection for employees while erecting, dismantling or making alterations to scaffolds in excess of five feet in ship repairing or shipbuilding operations. 1915.77, 1915.71
Use of an Aluminum Pole Jack Scaffold at a 50 foot shoulder working height. 1910.28, 1926.451
Mobile construction scaffolding. 1926.451
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)
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
Clarification of the words "open sides" for two-point suspension scaffolds. 1910.28
OSHA requires a safety net unless the employer complys with one of the options allowed in 29 CFR 1926.105(a). 1926.105
Clarification relative to scaffold heights under 10 feet. 1926.451
Interpretation on ladder use with scaffolding. 1926.451(a)(13)
Building Anchors Used for Intermittent Stabilization of a Suspended Powered Platform in Window Washing Operations and Light Building Maintenance. 1910.66
Clarification on window cleaning operations. 1910.28
Use of tube and coupler scaffolds. 1926.451(c)(5)
Use of roof top rolling outriggers used for swinging scaffolds. 1926.451(a)(2)
Use of dis-similar metals on tube and couplar scaffolds. 1926.451
Sky Genie Boatswain's Chair System. 1926.451
Clarification of Power Platforms for Exterior Building Maintenance. 1910.66, 1910.28
Use of non-flowable material for counter weights in rigging outrigger beams. 1926.451