Scaffolds need to be properly braced.

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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.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

June 25, 1981

Mr. Marshall Klarfeld
Product Safety Engineer
Up-Right, Incorporated
1013 Pardee Street
Berkeley, California 94710

Dear Mr. Klarfeld:

This is in response to your letter of June 12, 1981, requesting an interpretation on the use of mobile scaffold towers.

"Rustgo Work Platform".

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.

MEMORANDUM FOR:     GERALD P. REIDY
                    Regional Administrator

FROM:               John B. Miles, Jr., Director
                    Directorate of Field Operations

SUBJECT:            Evaluation of the "Rustgo Work Platform"

Re: Region II Memorandum of February 13, 1985 concerning the above mentioned subject.

Evaluation of a single-person, manually propelled, mobile work platform.

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.

 

 

Scissor lifts are not aerial lifts, are considered 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.

August 1, 2000

W. Shaun Rainey
Safety Officer
Kokosing Construction Company Inc.
P.O. Box 226
Fredericktown, Ohio 43019-0226

RE: Subpart "L" - Scissor Lifts

Dear Mr. Rainey:

Hoists for suspension scaffolds must be tested by a qualified testing laboratory.

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 16, 2001

Mr. R. Christopher Johnson
Managing Director
THOMAS ASSOCIATES, INC.
1300 Sumner Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2851

Re: 1926.451, requirement that suspension scaffold power-operated hoists and manual hoists shall be tested by a "qualified testing laboratory;" Underwriters Laboratories Incorporated (UL) 1323 testing standard.

Dear Mr. Johnson:

Wire rope and/or cable as a method of perimeter protection for a building under 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 24, 1984

Mr. B. J. Newton
Territory Safety Coordinator
Turner Construction Company
55 West Monroe Street
Chicago, Illinois 60603

Dear Mr. Newton:

This is in response to your letter of June 29, concerning the acceptability of wire rope and/or cable as a method of perimeter protection for a building under construction.

Clarification relative to scaffold heights under 10 feet.

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 11, 1983

Acceptability of climbing over or through guardrails on scaffolds used in 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.

May 25, 2001

Mr. Gary W. Larson
Executive Vice President
Scaffold Industry Association
20335 Ventura Boulevard # 310
Woodland Hills, California 91364

Re: CPL 2-1.23; Climbing over or through guardrails on scaffolds used in construction

Dear Mr. Larson:

This is in response to your December 20, 2000, letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We apologize for the delay in responding.

Clarification of OSHA policy regarding the use of scaffold stairs for access to a multi-story structure.

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 22, 2000

Mr. J. Robert Harrell
President
Safety Management Services
4012 Santa Nella Place
San Diego, CA 92130-2291

Dear Mr. Harrell:

This is in response to your letters dated February 29 and April 17, 2000, to OSHA's Directorate of Construction. I apologize for the delay in providing this response.

Securing fixed 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.

December 31, 1980