Requirements in 1926 Subpart L "Scaffolds" regarding the use of plywood to make platform decking for 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.

June 21, 2004

Mr. Randy Wheeler
F & H Insulation, Inc.
P.O. Box 550
5003 E. 61st Street N.
Kechi, KS 67067

Re: Whether plywood may be used to make platform decking for scaffolds under Part 1926 Subpart L (Scaffolds), and if so, whether the information in Table 7-3 of American Concrete Institute Committee SP-4 Formwork for Concrete (Fourth Edition) can be used as a guide in designing scaffold platforms? §1926.451(a)(1) and 1926.451(6), 1926.451(b), and 1926.451(f)

Whether it is permissible to use a concrete block hanging on a coupling pin as a counterweight to prevent a scaffold from tipping.

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 17, 2005

Mr. Douglas A. Holman
1816 River Bend Road
Sevierville, TN 37876

Re: Whether it is permissible to use a concrete block hanging on a coupling pin as a counterweight to prevent a scaffold from tipping; §1926.451

Dear Mr. Holman:

Whether plywood may be used as scaffold decking material over wood scaffold planks; 29 CFR 1926.450 and 1926.451.

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 18, 2006

Mr. Carroll Buchanan
ESI Group, Inc.
102 North 20th Street
Tampa, FL 33605

Re: Whether plywood may be used as scaffold decking material over wood scaffold planks; 29 CFR 1926.450 and 1926.451

Dear Mr. Buchanan:

This is in response to your fax submitted October 21, 2005, to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Your question relates to the use of plywood as platform decking over wood scaffold planks. We apologize for the delay in responding.

Whether scaffold components may be loaded in excess of minimum load ratings specified in 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart L; whether a safety factor must be added to such load ratings; Non-Mandatory Appendix A.

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.

April 08, 2005

Mr. Douglas A. Holman
1816 River Bend Road
Sevierville, TN 37876

Re: Whether scaffold components may be loaded in excess of minimum load ratings specified in 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart L; whether a safety factor must be added to such load ratings; §1926.451(g)(4) (vii) and 1926.451(g)(4)(ix) and 1926.451(h)(4)(i); Non-Mandatory Appendix A

Dear Mr. Holman:

Tie-in requirements for supported scaffolds; errors in Non-Mandatory Appendix E.

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.

April 8, 2005

Mr. Douglas A. Holman
1816 River Bend Road
Sevierville, TN 37876

Re: Tie-in requirements for supported scaffolds; §:1926.451(c)(1)(ii); errors in Non-Mandatory Appendix E.

Dear Mr. Holman:

Safety factor when "worst-case" force is applied to safety rail support product intended for ladder jack scaffold systems; §1926.451(a)(1)

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.

April 25, 2006

Mr. Jody English
138 Rook Street
Battle Creek, MI 49014

Dear Mr. English:

This is in regard to questions you raised with this office in a December 28, 2004, 1 letter and in subsequent communications regarding your "Type II guardrail support" device for use on ladder jack scaffolds.2 We have paraphrased your questions as follows:

Whether catch platforms (used to catch an employee in the event of a fall from a working surface above) must comply with OSHA's scaffold standard, Subpart L.

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 5, 2009

Letter # 20080910-8622

Re: Whether catch platforms (used to catch an employee in the event of a fall from a working surface above) must comply with OSHA's scaffold standard, Subpart L.

Question: Are temporary catch platforms – used to catch employees who might fall from a working surface above, or falling objects – subject to the requirements of the construction scaffold standard, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L?

Whether an employer is permitted to double wrap #9 gage steel wire in order to guy, tie or brace a scaffold.

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 26, 2010

Letter # 20081105-8742

Re: Whether an employer is permitted to double wrap #9 gage steel wire in order to guy, tie, or brace a scaffold.

Question:  Do OSHA's standards permit an employer to double wrap #9 gage steel wire in order to guy, tie or brace a scaffold?

Answer: Yes. Under the following circumstances, 29 CFR 1926.451(c) requires employers to tie, guy or brace scaffolds:

Weight of the scaffold in determining whether the 4 to 1 factor is satisfied in construction and general industry standards

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 6, 2013 [Reviewed and updated* April 24, 2020]

Steve Karasik, P.E.
Chief Engineer
PERI Formwork Systems, Inc.
Formwork and Shoring
7135 Dorsey Run Road
Elkridge, MD 21075

Dear Mr. Karasik:

Calaveras Power Partners L.P., Matrix Service Inc., T. E. Ibberson Company, TIC--The Industrial Company, and Zachry Construction Corporation; Notice of Application for a Permanent Variance and Interim Order, Grant of an Interim Order, and Request for Comm

  • Publication Date:
  • Publication Type:
  • Fed Register #:
    74:4237-4245
  • Title:
[Federal Register: January 23, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 14)][Notices]               [Page 4237-4245]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23ja09-95]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. OSHA-2007-0046]

 
Calaveras Power Partners L.P., Matrix Service Inc., T. E.