Excavation standards relating to aluminum rail.

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 5, 1992

Mr. Bill Barnhart
Director of Engineering
BIL-JAX Inc.
595 E. Lugbill Road
Archbold, Ohio 43502

Dear Mr. Barnhart:

Your January 15 letter to Mr. Arnis Andersons, Area Director, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), requesting an interpretation of OSHA's excavation standards has been referred to the Office of Construction and Maritime Compliance Assistance for a response. We apologize for the delay in responding to your concerns.

We have coordinated the response as follows:

Plywood as a substitute for meeting the standard.

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 19, 1993

Mr. George S. Kennedy
Director of Safety
National Utility Contractors Association
137 Ruhle Road
Ballston Spa, New York 12020

Dear Mr. Kennedy:

This is in response to your January 5 letter requesting an interpretation of an Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard addressing excavations.

Suspension of 29 CFR 1926.652 to House Foundation/Basement Excavations.

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 30, 1995

MEMORANDUM FOR:     REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS

FROM:               JAMES W. STANLEY, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY

SUBJECT:            Suspension of 29 CFR 1926.652 to House
                   Foundation/Basement Excavations

Action. Effective immediately and until further notice, 29 CFR 1926.652 shall not be applied to house foundation/basement excavations when all the, following conditions are present.

Safety Procedures During Gunite and Shotcrete Pool 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 28, 1994 [Reviewed November 8, 2018]

Standards addressing excavations

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 2, 1991

Mr. Dennis E. Palmer, P.E.
Vice President
Barr Engineering Company
7803 Glenroy Road
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55439-3123

Dear Mr. Palmer:

This is in response to your letter requesting an interpretation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards addressing excavations. I apologize for the delay in responding to your inquiry.

Concerns with the OSHA June 30 memorandum concerning the application of 29 CFR 1926.652 to house foundation/basement excavations.

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 7, 1995

Dr. Jack L. Mickle, Ph.D.
Civil and Construction
Engineering Department
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011

Dear Dr. Mickle:

Thank you for your letter of July 10, in which you express your concerns with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) June 30 memorandum concerning the application of 29 CFR 1926.652 to house foundation/basement excavations.

Clarification of excavations, trenching, and shoring standards.

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.

November 18, 1975

Mr. William F. Driskill
Assistant Executive Director
The Associated General
Contractors of America, Incorporated
1330 Mercantile Bank Building
Dallas, Texas 75201

Dear Mr. Driskill:

This is in response to your letter of July 18, 1975, addressed to Mr. C. R. Holder, requesting clarification of certain Construction Standards. It also confirms your telephone conversation with a member of my staff.

Whether or not organic rock, such as "Miami oolite rock" should be considered by OSHA as "stable rock".

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 5, 1995

The Honorable Lincoln Diaz-Balart
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515-0921

Dear Congressman Diaz-Balart:

Thank you for your letter of February 24 concerning whether or not organic rock, such as "Miami oolite rock" should be considered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as "stable rock" for the purposes of OSHA's excavation regulations. I apologize for the delay of this response.

Clarification of house foundation/basement excavation;Fall protection 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.

February, 1 1996

Mr. Christopher Seniuk, MPA, CSP, CIH
Assistant vice President
Director of Safety and Health Services
Lovell Safety Management Co., Inc.
161 William Street
New York, N.Y. 10038-2675

Dear Mr. Seniuk:

Classification and subsequent designs may be used if they have been approved by a registered professional engineer.

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 1, 1991 [Reviewed November 8, 2018]

Mr. Regis M. Hallisey
General Manager
The Plank Company
Post Office Box 262591
Houston, Texas 77207

Dear Mr. Hallisey:

This is in response to your July 24 letter in which you request an interpretation from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)concerning the use of Manufacturer's Tabulated Data as it applies to the C-60 soil classification. We apologize for the delay in responding to your inquiry.