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:

Clarification of requirements for construction scaffold erection/dismantling; safe means of access; blocks for two-point suspension 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.

January 2, 2002

Ms. Carmen Shafer
Assistant Director of Safety and Health
The Associated General Contractors of America
AGC B Indiana
1050 Market Tower
10 West Market Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Re: 1926.451(a)(3), (a)(4), (b)(1)(i), (c)(1)(iii), (d)(16), (d)(17), (f)(3), (e), (e)(9)(i), (e)(9)(ii), (e)(9)(iii), (e)(9)(iv), (g)(1), (g)(4)(i), 1926.452(p)(3), 1926.1431

Dear Ms. Shafer:

Use of 2"x6" No 2 pine boards as a scaffold platform; application of 1926.451(a) and 1926.451(f)(16) when erecting and dismantling 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.

April 11, 2005

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

Re: Whether 2"-x-6" No. 2 pine boards may be used as a scaffold platform; whether §1926.451(a) and §1926.451(f)(16) are applicable when erecting and dismantling scaffolds.

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.