Clarification concerning fall protection and vertical walled trenches with depth of 6 feet or greater and use of controlled access zones.

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 24, 2002 [Revised 12/5/2012]

Ned McDougald
4170 W. Menlo
Fresno, CA 93722

Dear Mr. McDougald:

This is in response to your letter of April 22, 2002, requesting an interpretation of fall protection requirements when working around trenches. Specifically, you ask if fall protection is required around vertical walled trenches that have a depth 6 feet or greater; if there are any exceptions to fall protection around trenches implied or stated; and whether a controlled access zone be used in lieu of fall protection.

Requirements for fall protection when ladder jack scaffolds are used for residential and commercial 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.

July 7, 2003

Tim Blackburn
Project Coordinator
Brandon Construction Company
557 Alternate 19 North
Palm Harbor, FL 34683-4432

Re: Ladder jack scaffolds, fall protection, residential construction; §§1926.451(g), 1926.452(k), and 1926.500(a)(2)(i); STD 3-0.1A

Dear Mr. Blackburn:

Compliance of using warning lines and/or control access zones for fall protection on roofs with a slope greater than 4:12.

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 26, 2003

Mr. Michael C. Wright, PE, CSP, CPE
Managing Principal
LJB, Inc.
3100 Research Blvd.
PO Box 20246
Dayton, OH 45420-0246

Re: Whether warning lines and/or control access zones can be employed for roofing work (residential and non-residential) on roofs with a slope greater than 4:12

Dear Mr. Wright:

Clarification on several issues regarding OSHA's construction industry standards for 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.

December 18, 2003

Mr. Michael Wright, PE
Managing Principal
LJB, Inc.
3100 Research Boulevard
P.O. Box 20246
Dayton, OH 45420-0246

Re: Inspection of personal fall arrest systems; competent person; fall protection plans; §1926.501(b)(2), (12), and (13); §1926.502(c)(4) and (d)(20) and (21); and §1926.503(a)(2)

Dear Mr. Wright:

The predominant use of structural steel would not be considered "residential 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.

March 1, 2004

Mr. Alcides Esteves
Pentel Enterprises
60 Cathy Lane, Suite 103
Burlington, NJ 08016-9745

Re: Residential fall protection, §§1926.501(b)(13), 1926.502(k)

Dear Mr. Esteves:

This is in response to your letter faxed on September 25, 2003, to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). You ask about fall protection requirements for employees engaged in roofing activities on your construction site. We apologize for the delay in responding.

Alternative fall protection for leading edge work during precast concrete erection.

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, 2004

Mark Monson
St. Paul Companies
16115 14th Avenue North
Plymouth, Minnesota 55447

Re: Fall protection requirements for employees performing work at the leading edge during precast concrete erection operations.

Dear Mr. Monson:

Whether under STD 03-00-001 an employee, in absence of interior walls is permitted to climb the lower chords of the roof trusses to brace them.

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 28, 2005

Residential fall protection: safety monitors; walking top plate of braced walls in installation; warning line; plating exterior walls; height limitation; non-roofer PPE; slide guards

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 30, 2004
 

Clarification of several residential construction and fall protection issues.

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 17, 2003
 

Clarification on controlled access zones for leading edge work.

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 30, 2010

Letter # 20091008-9289

Re: Clarification on controlled access zones for leading edge work.

Question: When using a controlled access zone for leading edge work where one side has no wall or guardrail system to which a control line can be connected, is it permissible to tie control lines to temporary guardrail stanchions 10 feet off the leading edge?

Answer:

As a preliminary matter, 29 CFR §1926.501(b)(2)(i) states: