Suspended scaffold and fall protection requirements applicable to elevator construction

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.

December 5, 2023

Frank J. Christensen
General President
International Union of Elevator Constructors
7154 Columbia Gateway Drive
Columbia, MD 21046

Dear Mr. General President Christensen:

Shoring frames used to support temporary decks and work platforms.

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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.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 17, 1998

Mr. Dale Shoemaker
Technical Coordinator
United Brotherhood of Carpenters Apprenticeship Training Department
101 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington D.C. 20001

Dear Mr. Shoemaker:

This is in response to your letter of April 1 addressed to Bill Burke of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in which you asked for interpretations regarding OSHA's revised scaffold standard, which was promulgated in August 1996.

Scaffolds: removal of bracing; maximum loads; damaged planking; and foundations.

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.

November 25, 1997

Mr. Stephen Almony
Perini Corporation
217 South Burlington Road
Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302

Dear Mr. Almony:

OSHA's position on deviations from the manufacturer's guidelines on scaffolds.

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.

Final Approval Date: August 4, 1999

MEMORANDUM FOR:      RICHARD SOLTAN

FROM:                RUSSELL B. SWANSON, DIRECTOR
                     DIRECTORATE OF CONSTRUCTION

SUBJECT:             OSHA's Position on Deviations from the Manufacturer's
                     Guidelines on Scaffold

This is in response to your memoranda, dated April 12 and June 11, 1999 concerning deviations from manufacturers' guidelines on scaffolds.

Training qualifications for the competent person inspecting scaffolds.

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 21, 1999

Douglas A Holman
1816 River Bend Road
Sevierville, TN 37876

Re: 29 CFR 1926.451(f)(3)

Dear Mr. Holman:

Thank you for your letter dated November 16, 1998, to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requesting clarification of 29 CFR 1926.451(f)(3). I apologize for the lateness of this response.

Pump jack scaffolds must be braced at their bottom.

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.

 

 

November 8, 2000

 

 

Requirements for scaffold grade lumber; qualifications of qualified/competent persons for grading scaffold lumber.

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 16, 2001

Mr. Robert Harrell
President, Safety Management Services
4012 Santa Nella Place
San Diego, CA 92130-2291

Dear Mr. Harrell:

This is in response to your letter dated July 7, 2000, in which you requested our response to several questions or issues regarding wooden planks used in scaffold platforms. Your questions are restated and responded to as follows:

Question (1):

Fall protection, training, inspection and design requirements of aerial lifts and scissor lifts/scaffolds.

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 23, 2000

Mr. Thomas L. Dahl
Venture Safety Engineer
Newberg-Perini Stone & Webster
6500 North Dresdon Road
Morris, Ill 60450

RE: Subpart "L" and Appendices, Scissors Lifts

Dear Mr. Dahl:

This is in response to your May 26, 1998, letter in which you ask the following series of questions relating to Subpart L, scaffolds. Please accept our apology for the long delay in responding to this inquiry.

Access requirements for cantilevered work platforms; use of unstable objects is prohibited.

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.

July 23, 2001

Jim Brown
Director of Safety and Health
Associated General Contractors
1050 Market Tower
10 West Market Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Re: 29 CFR 1926.451 (e)(1) and (c)(2)(iii); scaffolds; cantilevered work platforms

Dear Mr. Brown:

Fall protection requirements for employees working from a "work bridge" in concrete construction work

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.

December 9, 2002

ATI–Advance Technology, Inc.
Attn: Mr. Thomas A. Berry
1762 North St. Francis
Wichita, Kansas 67208

Re: Whether fall protection is required for workers on work bridges; whether workers on work bridges must be protected against impalement on vertical rebar; §§1926.450(b) and 1926.701(b); work bridges; scaffolds; concrete; rebar

Dear Mr. Berry: