Fall protection is not required where there is no feasible means of providing it while working on vehicles or trailers.

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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.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 10, 2004

Mr. Timothy J. Batz, CSP, ARM
Sr. Risk Control Consultant
IMA
1550 17th Street, Suite 600
Denver, CO 80202-2423

Re: Whether fall protection is required for employees working on vehicles and trailers; 29 CFR 1926.500; General Duty Clause

Dear Mr. Batz:

This is in response to your letter dated January 26, 2004, to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We have paraphrased your question as follows:

Fall protection for exposure to unfilled swimming pools.

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 8, 1998

David L. Grissom
Grissom, Richards & Featherston, Inc.
3700 Montrose Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77006

RE: 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1); 1925.501(b)(13); 1926.501(b)(15); 1926.502(k);

Dear Mr. Grissom:

Fall protection, lifejacket, and lifesaving requirements when working over or near water.

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, 1999

Mr. Douglas F. Walters
Safety Director
Jones Bros., Inc.
P.O. Box 727
Mt. Juliet, TN 37121

RE: 29 CFR 1926 SUBPART M, 1926.105, and 1926.106

Dear Mr. Walters:

Clarification of the terms "hole" versus "unprotected sides or edges."

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.

August 14, 2000

Mr. Reed Taylor, Safety Director
Taylor Bros. Construction Co. Inc.
4555 Middle Road
P.O. Box 248
Columbus, Indiana 47202-0248

Re: Subpart M, 1926.500, 1926.501(b)(1), 1926.501(b)(4), 1926.32(f)

Dear Mr. Taylor:

This is in response to your December 1, 1999 letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in which you ask for a clarification of OSHA's fall protection requirements. We apologize for the delay in providing this response.

Employees engaged in formwork over 6 feet high must have fall protection.

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.

August 28, 2000

 

 

MEMORANDUM FOR:

Ed Kassak
David Herstedt
Region VIII

FROM:

Russell B. Swanson, Director
Directorate of Construction

SUBJECT:

Concrete Frame Association/David Morrill Inquiry

 

Fall protection requirements applicable during the construction of retaining walls

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 20, 2014

Mr. Jeffrey A. Spatz, CHST
Senior Safety Consultant
The Graham Company
The Graham Building
One Penn Square West
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Dear Mr. Spatz:

Use of aerial lifts to transport workers to elevated workstations; scissor lifts are not covered by the aerial lift provisions.

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.

 

 

Fall protection requirements for both residential and commercial HVAC systems; clarification of confined spaces

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 13, 2001

Mr. Dennis Vance
Safety Specialist
Safety Services
711 Low Gap Road
Princeton, WV 24740

Re: Fall protection; HVAC; confined space;

Dear Mr. Vance:

Fall protection requirements for workers engaged in "roof blocking."

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 3, 2001

Joseph J. Novak
1399 Vischers Ferry Road
Clifton Park, New York 12065-6390

Re: 1926.501(b)(10); 1926.501(b)(13); STD 3-0.1A; personal fall arrest; safety monitors; warning lines.

[This document was edited on 12/5/12 to strike information that no longer reflects current OSHA policy referencing STD 3-0.1A.]

Dear Mr. Novak,

Fall protection requirements for an employee working from a ladder on a walking/working surface other than the ground.

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, 2003

Ms. Deborah Caldwell
5071 Butler Rd.
Caldwell Electrical Contractors
Gainesville, Georgia 30506

Re: Ladders; fall protection; working on top of equipment.

Dear Ms. Caldwell:

This is in response to your letter of November 22, 2002, in which you ask for guidance regarding OSHA's fall protection requirements for construction work. We apologize for the delay in providing this response.

We have paraphrased your question as follows: