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
Requirements for scaffold toprails and midrails;moving mobile scaffolds; outrigger frames. 1926.451(g), 1926.451(h), 1926.452(w)
Meaning of January 1, 2000 "placed in service" date for scaffolds. 1926.451(g)(4)(ii)
Scaffolds placed in service after January 1,2000 must meet new rail height requirements. 1926.451(g)(4)(ii)
Evaluation of a single-person, manually propelled, mobile work platform. 1926.452(w), 1926.450, 1926.451, 1926.454
Fall protection, training, inspection and design requirements of aerial lifts and scissor lifts/scaffolds. 1926.450(b), 1926.451, 1926.451(e), 1926.451(f)(3), 1926.451(g), 1926.451(g)(1)(vii), 1926.452(b)(1), 1926.452(b)(2), 1926.452(b)(3), 1926.452(w), 1926.453, 1926.453(b)(2)(v), 1926.454, 1926.454(c), 1926.502
Applicability of Subpart L and Subpart X to stair towers used for access to multistory buildings. 1926 Subpart L, 1926 Subpart X
Use of roof jacks (slide guards) for residential and commercial construction. 1926.501(b)(13), 1926.502(k)
GFCI and coverplate requirements in construction;use of fall arrest systems and scaffolding. 1926.404(b)(1)(ii), 1926.404(b)(1)(iii), 1926.502(d)(15), 1926.502(d)(17), 1926.451(a)
Forklifts in construction: elevating personnel and operator training. 1926.451(c)(2)(iv), 1926.602(c)(1)(vi), 1926.602(d), 1910.178(l)
Falling object protection on scaffolds at scaffold access points. 1926.451(h)
OSHA's position on deviations from the manufacturer's guidelines on scaffolds. 1926.450(b)
Exclusive use of videotape training for construction workers. 1926.21(b), 1926.602(d), 1926 Subpart L
Fall protection on concrete formwork in residential construction. 1926.501(b)(13)
Scaffolds: lifelines, support lines, and suspension ropes cannot have a common anchor point. 1926.451(g)(3)(iv), 1926.452(v)(1)
Securing of a platform (metal decking) on a manually propelled scaffold. 1926.451, 1926.452(w)(6)
Requirements for attachable ladders used for scaffold access. 1926.451(e)(2)
Training qualifications for the competent person inspecting scaffolds. 1926.451(f)(3), 1926.450(b), 1926.454
Maintenance vs. construction; working from fixed ladders. 1910.12, 1926.1053(a)(18), 1926.1053(a)(19), 1926.1053(b)(4)
Procedures and precautions for employees using descent control equipment.
Overlapping of scaffold planking. 1926.451(b)(7)