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StandardInterpretationsTableofContents

StandardNumber:

1926.5001926.501(b)(1)1926.95(a)

OSHArequirementsaresetbystatute,standardsandregulations.Ourinterpretation
lettersexplaintheserequirementsandhowtheyapplytoparticularcircumstances,but
theycannotcreateadditionalemployerobligations.ThisletterconstitutesOSHA's
interpretationoftherequirementsdiscussed.Notethatourenforcementguidancemaybe
affectedbychangestoOSHArules.Also,fromtimetotimeweupdateourguidancein
responsetonewinformation.Tokeepapprisedofsuchdevelopments,youcanconsult
OSHA'swebsiteathttp://www.osha.gov.

March10,2004
Mr.TimothyJ.Batz,CSP,ARM
Sr.RiskControlConsultant
IMA
155017thStreet,Suite600
Denver,CO802022423
Re:Whetherfallprotectionisrequiredforemployeesworkingonvehiclesandtrailers29CFR1926.500GeneralDutyClause
DearMr.Batz:
ThisisinresponsetoyourletterdatedJanuary26,2004,totheOccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration(OSHA).Wehaveparaphrasedyourquestionas
follows:
Question:Doesanemployerhaveadutytoprovidefallprotectiontoemployeesexposedtofallhazardsinexcessof6feetwhentheyclimbontopofmaterials
onatractortrailerrigtoconnectcraneriggingforthepurposeofloadingandunloadingofthematerials?
Answer
Under29CFR1926.501(b)(1),employersmustprovidefallprotectiontoeachemployeeonawalking/workingsurface(horizontalandverticalsurface)withan
unprotectedsideoredgewhichis6feetormoreabovealowerlevel.However,1926.500definesawalking/workingsurfaceas:
Anysurface,whetherhorizontalorverticalonwhichanemployeewalksorworks,including,butnotlimitedto,floors,roofs,ramps,bridges,runways,
formworkandconcretereinforcingsteelbutnotincludingladders,vehicles,ortrailers,onwhichemployeesmustbelocatedinordertoperform
theirduties.[Emphasisadded.]
Underthetermsofthestandard,fallprotectionisnotrequiredforemployeeswhoareonvehiclesandtrailerswhentheemployeemustbeonthevehicleor
trailertoperformhisorherduties.Iftheemployeemustclimbonthetractortrailerrigstoconnecttheriggingforloadingandunloadingbyacrane,the
employerwouldnothaveadutytoprovidefallprotectionunderthisstandard.
Section5(a)(1)oftheOccupationalSafetyandHealthAct("GeneralDutyClause")statesthateachemployer:
...shallfurnishtoeachofhis[orher]employeesemploymentandaplaceofemploymentwhicharefreefromrecognizedhazardsthatarecausingorare
likelytocausedeathorseriousphysicalharmtohis[orher]employees.
29CFR1926.95(a)requirestheuseofprotectiveequipment:
[W]hereveritisnecessarybyreasonofhazards...encounteredinamannercapableofcausinginjuryorimpairment....
NodutyexiststoprovidefallprotectionundertheGeneralDutyClauseor1926.95(a)wherethereisnofeasiblemeansofprovidingit.Forthetypeofworkyou
describe,theretypicallyisnofeasiblemeansofprovidingfallprotection.
Ifyouneedadditionalinformation,pleasecontactusbyfax(2026931689)at:U.S.DepartmentofLabor,OSHA,OfficeofConstructionStandardsand
Guidance.YoucanalsocontactusbymailatU.S.DepartmentofLabor,OSHA,OfficeofConstructionStandardsandGuidance,RoomN3468,200Constitution
Avenue,N.W.,Washington,D.C.20210,althoughtherewillbeadelayinourreceivingcorrespondencebymail.
Sincerely,

RussellB.Swanson,Director
DirectorateofConstruction

StandardInterpretationsTableofContents

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