For construction-specific information, see the Fall protection - construction standards section.

Note: The "Directives" bullets above link to directives related to each OSHA standard. The directives in this list provide additional information that is not necessarily connected to a specific OSHA standard highlighted on this Safety and Health Topics page.

General Industry

• 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I, Enforcement Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment in General Industry. CPL 02-01-050, (February 10, 2011).

Maritime Industry

• Shipyard Employment "Tool Bag" Directive. CPL 02-00-162, (May 22, 2019). Provides OSHA offices, interested industry representatives, State Plan programs and federal agencies with guidance concerning the application of occupational safety and health standards in shipyard employment. Also, this instruction provides current information and ensures the consistent enforcement of OSHA's shipyard employment standards (29 CFR Part 1915).
• Longshoring and Marine Terminal "Tool Shed" Directive. CPL 02-00-154, (July 31, 2012). Provides information and instruction relating to the marine cargo handling industry.

Note: The letters in this list provide additional information that is not necessarily connected to a specific OSHA standard highlighted on this Safety and Health Topics page.

• Enforcement Guidance for General Industry Rope Descent System (RDS) Anchorage Requirements (29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)). (November 20, 2017).
• Guarding of Access Openings to Fixed Ladders. (September 29, 2009).
• Guarding requirements for skylights and "grandfather" provisions for buildings constructed over twenty years ago. (September 28, 2006).
• Fall protection for the entertainment industry under the OSH Act of 1970. (Corrected June 2, 2005). Explanation of how fall protection standard applies to riggers and others in the entertainment industry.
• Fall protection requirements when working from ladders in the telecommunications industry. (May 23, 2005).
• OSHA enforcement of ANSI window cleaning standard; citing federal agencies under the General Duty Clause. (March 28, 2005).
• Recommendations for preventing prolonged suspension in personal fall protection systems. (September 8, 2004). Explanation of methods and resources for avoiding injury from engagement of fall protection system.
• Rescue of a suspended worker following a fall event. (April 27, 2004). Explanation of fall protection requirements in instances where a worker is performing a self-rescue following a fall.
• Maintenance vs. construction; working from fixed ladders. (May 11, 1999; Corrected June 14, 2004). Discusses the differences between "maintenance" and "construction" and the applicable standards.

Electric Power Industry

• OSHA's requirements for locking type snaphooks on pole strap systems. (March 13, 1996). Provides explanations for multiple questions, including requirements for fall protection during specific work scenarios.
• Fall Protection in the power distribution industry. (September 1, 1995). Provides an interpretation of the OSHA standards addressing fall protection in the electric power distribution industry, (29 CFR 1910.269 and 29 CFR 1926.502).

• ANSI/ASSE A1264.1, Safety Requirements for Workplace Walking/Working Surfaces and Their Access; Workplace Floor, Wall and Roof Openings; Stairs and Guardrail Systems. Sets forth safety requirements for areas where danger exists of persons or objects falling through floor or wall openings, platforms, runways, ramps, and fixed stairs, in normal, temporary, and emergency conditions. This standard applies to industrial and workplace situations and is not intended to apply to construction, residential, or commercial occupancies except where necessary maintenance or work station access may be required.
• ANSI/IWCA 1-14.1, Window Cleaning Safety. International Window Cleaning Association (IWCA). Serves as a guide for window cleaners, regulatory agencies, manufacturers, architects, consultants, designers and building owners. Part A focuses on safety guidelines for the use of window cleaning access equipment. Part B is geared toward those who manufacture, distribute, design, install or maintain the equipment.
• ANSI/ASSE A10.8, Scaffolding Safety Requirements
• ANSI ASC A14.1, American National Standards for Ladders - Wood Safety Requirements
• ANSI ASC A14.2, American National Standards for Ladders - Portable Metal- Safety Requirements
• ANSI ASC A14.3, American National Standards for Ladders - Fixed - Safety Requirements
• ANSI ASC A14.4, American National Standards Safety Requirements for Job Made Wooden Ladders
• ANSI ASC A14.5, American National Standards for Ladders - Portable Reinforced Plastic Safety Requirements
• ANSI ASC A14.7, American National Standard for Mobile Ladder Stands and Mobile Ladder Stand Platforms
• ANSl/SAIA A92.2, American National Standard for Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and Rotating Aerial Devices
• ANSI/SAIA A92.3, American National Standard for Manually Propelled Elevating Aerial Platforms
• ANSI/SAIA A92.5, American National Standard Boom-Supported Elevating Work Platforms
• ANSI/SAIA A92.6, Self-Propelled Elevating Work Platforms
• ANSl/SIA A92.8, Vehicle-Mounted Bridge Inspection and Maintenance Devices
• ANSl/SAIA A92.10, Transport Platforms
• ANSI/ITSDF B56.1, Safety Standard for Low Lift and High Lift Trucks
• ANSI/ASSE Z359.0, Definition and Nomenclature Used for Fall Protection and Fall Arrest.
• ANSI/ASSE Z359.1, Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems and Component. Establishes requirements for the performance, design, marking, qualification, instruction, training, inspection, use, maintenance, and removal from service of connectors, full body harnesses, lanyards, energy absorbers, anchorage connectors, fall arresters, vertical lifelines, and self-retracting lanyards comprising personal fall arrest systems for users within the capacity range of 130 to 310 pounds (59 to 140 kg).
• ANSI/ASSE Z359.2, Minimum Requirements for a Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Program
• ANSl/ASSE Z359.3, Safety Requirements for Positioning and Travel Restraint Systems
• ANSI/ASSE Z359.4, Safety Requirements for Assisted-Rescue and Self-Rescue Systems, Subsystems and Components
• ANSl/ASSE Z359.6, Specifications and Design Requirements for Active Fall Protection SystemsANSI/ASSE Z359.7-2011, Qualification and Verification Testing of Fall Protection Products
• ANSI/ASSE Z359.12, Connecting Components for Personal Fall Arrest System
• ANSI/ASSE Z359.13, Personal Energy Absorbers and Energy Absorbing Lanyards
• ANSI/ASSE Z359.14, Self-Retracting Devices for Fall Arrest and Rescue Systems
• ANSI/ASSE Z359.15, Safety Requirements for Single Anchor Lifelines and Fall Arresters for Personal Fall Arrest and Rescue Systems
• CSA Z259.14, Fall Restrict Equipment for Wood Pole Climbing
• ASTM F887-11, Standard Specifications for Personal Climbing Equipment