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
Residential fall protection: safety monitors; walking top plate of braced walls in installation; warning line; plating exterior walls; height limitation; non-roofer PPE; slide guards 1926.502, 1926.502(h), 1926.502(h)(1), 1926.502(h)(1)(i), 1926.502(h)(1)(ii), 1926.502(h)(1)(iii), 1926.502(h)(1)(iv), 1926.502(h)(1)(v), 1926.502(k), 1926.501(b)(10), 1926.501(b)(13)
Applicable standards for telecommunications non-industry specific operations, e.g., retail, call center, warehouse, and administrative locations. 1910.268, 1910.268(a), 1910 - Table of Contents, 1910.5(c), 1910.268(a)(3), 1910.268(g)(1), 1910.268(n)(7), 1910.268(n)(8)
Fall protection requirements for employees working from a slide-out extension of a scissor lift platform. 1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(1)
Requirements in 1926 Subpart L "Scaffolds" regarding the use of plywood to make platform decking for scaffolds. 1926.450(b), 1926.451, 1926.451(a)(1), 1926.451(a)(6), 1926.451(b), 1926.451(f)
The use of extension cord while working from scissor lift; requirement to secure or barricade a ladder. 1926.451, 1926.452(w), 1926.1053(b)(8)
Evaluation of the Jax Scaffold System. 1926.451, 1926.451(g)(4)(vii), 1926.451(a)
Composition, span, and deflection of underslung bridge scaffold platform systems. 1926.451, 1926.451(f)(16), 1926.450
Fall protection requirements for pump jack scaffold railings. 1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(1), 1926.451(g)(2), 1926.451(g)(4), 1926.452(j)
Height to base width ratio for mobile scaffolds with/without outriggers. 1926.451(c)(1), 1926.452(w)(6), 1926.452(w)(6)(ii), 1926.452(w)(6)(iii)
Wire rope clips on suspension scaffolds; safety latches on large crane hooks; order of assembly for hanging scaffolds; and horizontal lifeline design. 1926.502(d)(8), 1926.502(b), 1926.251(c), 1926.760(d), 1926.502(d)(14), 1926.451(a), 1926.451(b), 1926.451(f), 1926.251(a)(4), 1926.451(d)(12), 1926.550(g)(4)(iv)(B), 1926.753(d), 1926.550(g), 1926.502(d)(15)
Fall protection requirements for work docks/bridges used during bridge construction. 1915.2, 1910.12(a), 1917.1(a), 1926.450(b), 1926.451(g)(1), 1926.106
Compliance of an aerial lift fall protection device connected with a releasable tether and a non-releasable tether. 1926.453, 1926.453(b)(2)(iii), 1926.453(b)(2)(v), 1905.11, 1926.502(d)
Use of portable ladders on tank builder's scaffolds during scaffold dismantling process in construction. 1926.450, 1926.451, 1926.451(e), 1926.451(e)(2), 1926.451(e)(9), 1926.451(e)(9)(i), 1926.451(e)(9)(ii), 1926.451(f), 1926.451(f)(15), 1926.451(f)(15)(iii), 1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(2)
Review residential construction scenarios for alternative fall protection procedures. 1926.501, 1926.501(b)(13), 1926.502(k)
Requirements for attachable scaffold ladders used in construction; toe-hold minimum distance requirement. 1926.451(e), 1926.451(e)(2), 1926.451(e)(2)(i), 1926.451(e)(2)(ii), 1926.451(e)(2)(iii), 1926.451(e)(2)(iv), 1926.451(e)(2)(v), 1926.451(e)(2)(vi), 1926.1053(a)(13)
Compliance requirements for the use of U-bolt-type cable clamps in horizontal lifelines. 1926.502, 1926.452(x)(9), 1926.450(b), 1926.502(d)(21)
Revised response regarding the storage of materials on a scaffold for more than one shift's work 1926.250, 1926.250(b)(5), 1926.450, 1926.451, 1926.451(a), 1926.451(d)(3)(i), 1926.451(f)(3), 1926.451(f)(7), 1926.451(h), 1926.451(h)(2), 1926.451(h)(4), 1926.452, 1926.453, 1926.454, 1926.454(a)
Fall protection requirements during installation and removal or tarps and sheeting on/from scaffolds; qualifications of person determining safety on scaffold with wind imposed forces. 1926.451(g)(2), 1926.451(f)(12), 1926.451(g)(1), 1926.451(a)(6), 1926.451(f)(3), 1926.450
Requirements for fall protection when ladder jack scaffolds are used for residential and commercial construction 1926.451, 1926.451(g)(1), 1926.451(g)(1)(i), 1926.452, 1926.452(k)(1), 1926.500, 1926.500(a)(2)(i), 1926.501, 1926.501(b), 1926.501(b)(12), 1926.501(b)(13), 1926.501(b)(2), 1926.502, 1926.502(k), 1926.760
Fall protection requirements for homes built of block and masonry construction. 1926.501, 1926.501(b), 1926.501(b)(13), 1926.502, 1926.502(k)