Fixed Ladders, Rest Platforms, Personal Fall Protection, Ladder Safety Systems, Ladder Cages and Wells

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.

September 28, 2021

Kelly Meeks, CSP
Ergon, Inc. Corporate Health and Safety Specialist
103 Northridge Rd.
Madison, MS 39110

Dear Ms. Meeks:

Walking-Working Surfaces

  • Publication Date:
  • Publication Type:
  • Fed Register #:
    86:27332-27338
  • Title:
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 96 (Thursday, May 20, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27332-27338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [

A manually propelled elevating work platform is not regulated by a specific standard, and is therefore regulated by the general duty clause.

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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.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

Apr 15, 1985

Mr. James R. Wallin
General Electric Company
Gas Turbine Division, Building 53 Room 107
One River Road
Schenectady, New York 12345

Dear Mr. Wallin:

This is in response to your letter of March 12, 1985, in which you request our opinion of which Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard is applicable to the manually propelled elevating work platform described by your figure.

Regulations for scaffold casters.

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.

June 24, 1992

Mr. R.E. Blake
Sales Manager
Sonny Scaffolds, Inc.
319 Harlaw Drive
Mooresville,Indiana 46158

Dear Mr. Blake:

This is in response to your letter of April 21, in which you request clarification of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations for scaffold casters. I apologize for the delay in responding to your inquiry.

Use of horizontal members of the end frames of metal scaffolds as safe access.

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.

January 9, 1990

Richard F. Andree, CSP, PE, PH.D.
Executive Vice President
Safety and Health Management Consultants, Inc.
161 William Street
New York, New York 10038

Dear Mr. Andree:

This is in response to your letter of December 11, addressed to Assistant Secretary Gerard F. Scannell concerning interpretation of 29 CFR 1910.29(a)(3)(viii) and 29 CFR 1910.28(a)(12) that may apply to the use of horizontal members of the end frames of metal scaffolds as safe access.

The rung spacing between horizontal members of the end frames of metal scaffolds used as ladders rungs for access or egress.

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.

May 17, 1990

Richard F. Andree, CSP, PE, Ph.D. Executive Vice President Safety and Health Management Consultants, Inc. 161 William Street New York, New York 10038

Dear Mr. Andree:

This is in response to your letter of February 21, to Mr. Thomas J. Shepich, former Director of Compliance Programs, concerning our previous response of January 9, relative to the rung spacing between horizontal members of the end frames of metal scaffolds used as ladder rungs for access or egress. Please excuse the delay in our response.

Fall protection and aerial lifts in the Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution industries.

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.

February 27, 2006

Mr. Ryan Wilson
47 Lake Street
Auburn, ME 04210

Dear Mr. Wilson:

Thank you for your November 29, 2004 fax to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) Office of General Industry Enforcement. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation only of the requirements discussed and may not be applicable to any questions not delineated within your original correspondence. You had specific questions regarding fall protection and aerial lifts in the Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution industries.

Walking-Working Surfaces; Information Collection Requirements.

  • Publication Date:
  • Publication Type:
  • Fed Register #:
    63:34933-34934
  • Title:

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. ICR-98-26]

Walking-Working Surfaces; Information Collection Requirements

ACTION: Notice; Opportunity for Public Comment.