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:

Fall protection and pipe racks.

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.

 

 

Shock absorbing lanyards are not mandatory.

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 3, 1998

John J. McCarthy
Lovell Safety Management Co.
125 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038-491

Dear Mr. McCarthy:

This is in response to your letter, dated February 2, 1998, to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in which you asked whether shock absorbing lanyards were mandatory in a personal fall arrest system.

Fall protection during electrical maintenance and construction work on aerial lifts.

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 20, 1998

Mr. Jonathan Hemenway Glazier
Association Counsel
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
4301 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22301

RE:1926.451(f); 1926.453; 1926.556; 1926.502(d)1910.67(c); 1910.269(g); body belts; harnesses; definition of restraint system, positioning device, fall arrest system

Dear Mr. Glazier:

Lanyards and vertical lifelines must meet breaking and tensile strength requirements.

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 2, 1999

Mr. Jason B. White
Elk River, Inc.
P.O. Box 1767
Cullman, AL 35056-1767

Dear Mr. White:

Thank you for your July 26, 1999 letter to Charles N. Jeffress, Assistant Secretary, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Your questions on personal fall arrest systems have been referred to the Directorate of Compliance Program's (DCP's) Office of General Industry Compliance Assistance. Your specific question has been restated below for clarity.

Anchoring of fall arrest system to aerial lifts; fall arrest vs. restraint systems.

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 18, 1999

Mr. Steven D. Claypool
15516 Budge St.
San Leandro, CA 94579

RE: 1926.451(g), 1926.453, 1926.502(d);

Dear Mr. Claypool:

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:

Application of the Confined Spaces Advisor to construction; personal fall arrest system requirements.

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 3, 2000

Mr. Thomas Lee Dahl
NPSW Venture
5555 South Hadden Road
Mazon, Il 60444

Re: 1910.146, 1926.21(b)(6)(i), 1926.353(b)(1) & (b)(2), 1926.502(d), 1926.502(d)(3) and (4), 1926.502(d)(18), 1926.651(g), 1926.800, 1926.956, OSHA Confined Spaces Advisor; Personal Fall Arrest Systems

Dear Mr. Dahl:

Fall protection for various lift-devices; restraint, positioning, fall arrest and rescue requirements; maintenance vs. construction examples.

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. Charles E. Hill
Chairman, National Telecommunications Safety Panel
Southwestern Bell Telephone Company
St. Louis, Missouri 63101

Dear Mr. Hill: