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):

Request that OSHA adopt a requirement that all scaffold planks meet a "scaffold grade" under recognized grading rules.

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 12, 2002

Wood Advisory Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1322
Millbrook, NY 12545

Dear Mr. DeBonis and Mr. Anderson:

This is in response to your letter that we received February 12, 2002, requesting that the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) consider instituting a requirement that all scaffold planks meet a "scaffold grade" requirement under recognized grading rules.

Planking, safety line, and personal fall arrest system requirements for tank builder's scaffolding.

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 16, 2002

Mr. Philip Torchio
Vice President
Williams Enterprises of Georgia, Inc.
1285 Hawthorne Avenue
P.O. Box 756
Smyrna, Georgia 30081

Re: Tank builders' scaffold; scaffold planking; §1926.451(b);

Dear Mr. Torchio:

Use of aerial lift or scissor lift guardrails as a work or scaffold platform.

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.

October 23, 2002

Frances Youney
C.Y. Concepts, INC.
440 Stone Road
Rochester, N.Y. 14616

Re: Whether workers may stand on scaffold guardrails; anchor points; §§1926.450, 1926.502(d).

Dear Mr. Youney,

This is in response to your August 6, 2002, letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We apologize for the delay in answering your inquiry.

Wire rope clips on suspension scaffolds; safety latches on large crane hooks; order of assembly for hanging scaffolds; and horizontal lifeline design.

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 4, 2004

Martin D. Spencer Jr.
Northeast Area Rigging Coordinator
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
5745 Big Tree Road
Orchard Park, NY 14127

Re: Wire rope clips on suspension scaffolds; safety latches on large crane hooks; hanging scaffolds - order of assembly; jobsite fabricated lifting accessories - criteria; and horizontal lifelines: use of wire rope clips, anchorages, number of persons allowed to be connected, requirements relating to sag, and use of synthetic rope.

Dear Mr. Spencer:

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: