Fall protection requirements for employees, other than roofers, working on low-slope roofs

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 15, 2002

Mr. Keith Harkins
Safety Manager
Linbeck/Kennedy & Rossi
One Maguire Road
Lexington, Ma 02421

Re: Whether a warning line at 6 feet used to protect roofing workers may also be used to meet fall protection requirements for HVAC construction workers; §1926.502(b)

Dear Mr. Harkins:

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:

Fall protection non-conforming guardrail criteria for application of a de minimis policy.

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 12, 2000

Mr. Barry A. Cole
Executive Vice-President
Steel Erectors Safety Association
of Colorado
5750 Pecos Street, Suite 6
Denver, Colorado 80221

Re: Fall Protection/Use of barricades; 1926.500, Subpart M

Dear Mr. Cole:

This is in response to your letter dated July 24, 1998, addressed to OSHA's Directorate of Construction. In the letter you ask a series of questions regarding 29 CFR 1926.500, Subpart M. We apologize for the long delay in responding.

Scaffolding/shoring

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 11, 2005

Fred Ellen
Safety Director
Dee Shoring Company, Inc.
4680 Vawter Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23222

Re: Scaffolding/shoring

Dear Mr. Ellen

This is in response to your letter dated June 28, 2004, and subsequent telephone conversations with staff at the Directorate of Construction.
1 We apologize for the long delay in our response.

We have paraphrased your questions below:

Guarding of protruding steel rods.

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 18, 1991

Mr. Paul Vincent Bonfigio
Safety Advisor
Vincent Safety Service Company
Suite 206, P.O. Box 212
357 Hempstead Turnpike
West Hempstead, New York 11552

Dear Mr. Bonfigio:

Thank you for your letters of March 28, 1991 concerning guarding of protruding reinforcement steel rods and May 29, 1991 concerning guardrails on intermediate levels of scaffolds.

When protective measures must be installed after a hole is created on a construction worksite.

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 5, 2006

Mr. Albert C. Rauck
980 Landings Loop Dr. N.
Westerville, OH 43082

Re: When protective measures must be installed after a hole is created on a construction worksite. 29 CFR 1926.500(b), 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(4).

Dear Mr. Rauck:

Temporary planked or metal-decked floors.

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.

December 23, 1976

Mr. Stephen Salup
Assistant Counsel
National Kinney Corporation
10 East 53rd Street
New York, New York 10022

Dear Mr. Salup:

Assistant Secretary Morton Corn has asked me to respond to your letter of October 18, 1976, regarding a clarification of 29 CFR 1926.500(b)(1), as it relates to 29 CFR 1926.750(b)(1)(iii).

A draft fall protection plan written in accordance with 1926.502.

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.

September 11, 1995

Mr. Frank Goldenberg
Commercial Steel Erection, Inc.
288 Ragland Road
P.O. Box 1030
Madison Heights, Virginia 24572

Dear Mr. Goldenberg:

This is in response to your letter of March 28 to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in which you asked us to review a draft fall protection plan written in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.502(k).

Whether an employer can use a controlled access zone during curtain wall installation.

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.

 

Interpretation of OSHA Fall Protection Exemption (29 CFR 1926.500(a)(1)) during inspection, investigation, and assessment activities.

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.