Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

March 22, 1978

MEMORANDUM FOR:   BARRY J. WHITE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR - REGION V

ATTN:             MILAN RACIC
                  Assistant Regional Administrator    
                  for Technical Support

THRU:             DONALD E. MACKENZIE
                  Field Coordinator

FROM:             BRUCE HILLENBRAND Acting Director 
                  Federal Compliance and State Programs

SUBJECT:          Request for Interpretation

This is in response to a memorandum dated December 21, 1977, from Kenneth Bowman, Area Director, Cleveland, Ohio, to Milan Racic, ARA - Technical Support, Region V, which was forwarded to David Hadden in the Office of Construction Standards. The memorandum was subsequently forwarded to the Division of Occupational Safety Programming for response in accord with Program directive #100 (Revision 1) Subject: OSHA Program directive #100-Series--Safety and Health Standards Interpretations dated March 10, 1975.

In regard to the telephone clarification received by the Cleveland Area Office proposing that no employee shall climb, work and descend on the walers/stringers of a concrete form, the Division of Occupational Safety Programming provides the following interpretation. The pinned or welded walers will adequately support employees required occasionally to climb or descend walers in performance of their work. Walers are not to be used as access ladders, but infrequent climbing of walers is usually necessary in the performance of concrete form work.