Standard Interpretations

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. Each 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.

1926.453 - Acceptability of climbing over or through guardrails on scaffolds used in construction. - 05/25/2001
1926.453 - Aerial lift regulations; fall protection for scissor lifts. - 07/21/1998
1926.453 - Applicable standards to lifting personnel on a platform supported by a rough-terrain forklift. - 11/27/2001
1926.453 - Certification of aerial lift operators. - 10/23/1992
1926.453 - Clarification of OSHA requirements for dual-rated equipment meeting consensus standards for both aerial lifts and cranes - 07/14/2016
1926.453 - Clarification on the use of safety monitors as a method of fall protection on a low-slope roof. - 04/20/2012
1926.453 - Compliance of an aerial lift fall protection device connected with a releasable tether and a non-releasable tether. - 02/02/2004
1926.453 - Exemptions for installation of guardrails on wall (interior) side. - 12/11/2001
1926.453 - Fall protection during electrical maintenance and construction work on aerial lifts. - 04/20/1998
1926.453 - Fall protection on aerial lifts during construction activities. - 08/22/2011
1926.453 - Fall protection required for employees riding in aerial lifts. - 01/06/2000
1926.453 - Fall protection, training, inspection and design requirements of aerial lifts and scissor lifts/scaffolds. - 02/23/2000
1926.453 - Planking, safety line, and personal fall arrest system requirements for tank builder's scaffolding. - 04/16/2002
1926.453 - Protection of ground-level workers from lowering of aerial lift bucket - 09/23/1999
1926.453 - Requirements applicable to the design, inspection, and testing of imported scaffolding. - 05/10/2001
1926.453 - Requirements for dual purpose mechanical equipment (digger derrick and aerial lift). - 05/05/1997
1926.453 - Revised response regarding the storage of materials on a scaffold for more than one shift's work - 10/30/2003
1926.453 - Safety Standards regulating the stability of mobile scaffolds, scissor lifts, and aerial work platforms. - 06/10/2002
1926.453 - Scissor lifts are not aerial lifts, are considered scaffolds. - 08/01/2000
1926.453 - Several fall protection issues relating to scissors lifts and aerial lifts. - 08/18/1995
1926.453 - Significance of ANSI standards with respect to OSHA requirements, specifically A92.6-1999. - 02/28/2001
1926.453 - The requirements for vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating aerial devices; effect of revised ANSI A92.2 standards. - 11/08/2005
1926.453 - Use of aerial lifts to transport workers to elevated workstations; scissor lifts are not covered by the aerial lift provisions. - 05/03/2001
1926.453 - Whether OSHA standards require employees to be tied off while working over water on an aerial lift. - 03/20/2010
1926.453(a) - Applicable standards to protect employees, not engaged in electrical work, operating an aerial lift within 10 feet of overhead electrical lines. - 09/25/2001
1926.453(a) - Standards applicable to aerial lifts; acceptable uses of body belts as restraint systems and positioning devices. - 05/11/2001
1926.453(a)(1) - Safety Standards regulating the stability of mobile scaffolds, scissor lifts, and aerial work platforms. - 06/10/2002
1926.453(a)(1) - The requirements for vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating aerial devices; effect of revised ANSI A92.2 standards. - 11/08/2005
1926.453(a)(2) - Safety Standards regulating the stability of mobile scaffolds, scissor lifts, and aerial work platforms. - 06/10/2002
1926.453(b)(1) - Ladder trucks and tower trucks. - 01/16/1976
1926.453(b)(2) - Standards applicable to aerial lifts; acceptable uses of body belts as restraint systems and positioning devices. - 05/11/2001
1926.453(b)(2) - Use of aerial lifts to transport workers to elevated workstations; scissor lifts are not covered by the aerial lift provisions. - 05/03/2001
1926.453(b)(2)(i) - Standards applicable to aerial lifts; acceptable uses of body belts as restraint systems and positioning devices. - 05/11/2001
1926.453(b)(2)(ii) - Standards applicable to aerial lifts; acceptable uses of body belts as restraint systems and positioning devices. - 05/11/2001
1926.453(b)(2)(iii) - Compliance of an aerial lift fall protection device connected with a releasable tether and a non-releasable tether. - 02/02/2004
1926.453(b)(2)(iii) - Permissibility of attaching welding leads to an occupied aerial lift bucket and using an external lifeline to anchor fall arrest equipment. - 02/23/2004
1926.453(b)(2)(iii) - Request to expand the application of the "de minimis" policy regarding Section 1926.453(b)(2)(iii) and the use of the "Wishbone" fall protection device beyond the parameters described in OSHA's February 2, 2004 letter to Mr. Michael Kurtgis. - 02/15/2005
1926.453(b)(2)(iii) - Standards applicable to aerial lifts; acceptable uses of body belts as restraint systems and positioning devices. - 05/11/2001
1926.453(b)(2)(iii) - Use of aerial lifts to transport workers to elevated workstations; scissor lifts are not covered by the aerial lift provisions. - 05/03/2001
1926.453(b)(2)(iv) - Standards applicable to aerial lifts; acceptable uses of body belts as restraint systems and positioning devices. - 05/11/2001
1926.453(b)(2)(iv) - Use of aerial lift or scissor lift guardrails as a work or scaffold platform. - 10/23/2002
1926.453(b)(2)(iv) - Use of an aerial basket to lift employees to an elevation to climb to a higher elevation. - 04/17/1973
1926.453(b)(2)(ix) - Standards applicable to aerial lifts; acceptable uses of body belts as restraint systems and positioning devices. - 05/11/2001
1926.453(b)(2)(v) - Anchoring of fall arrest system to aerial lifts; fall arrest vs. restraint systems. - 02/18/1999
1926.453(b)(2)(v) - Clarification on the use of safety monitors as a method of fall protection on a low-slope roof. - 04/20/2012
1926.453(b)(2)(v) - Compliance of an aerial lift fall protection device connected with a releasable tether and a non-releasable tether. - 02/02/2004
1926.453(b)(2)(v) - Fall protection for various lift-devices; restraint, positioning, fall arrest and rescue requirements; maintenance vs. construction examples. - 08/14/2000
1926.453(b)(2)(v) - Fall protection on aerial lifts during construction activities. - 08/22/2011
1926.453(b)(2)(v) - Fall protection, training, inspection and design requirements of aerial lifts and scissor lifts/scaffolds. - 02/23/2000
1926.453(b)(2)(v) - Permissibility of attaching welding leads to an occupied aerial lift bucket and using an external lifeline to anchor fall arrest equipment. - 02/23/2004
1926.453(b)(2)(v) - Standards applicable to aerial lifts; acceptable uses of body belts as restraint systems and positioning devices. - 05/11/2001
1926.453(b)(2)(v) - Use of aerial lifts to transport workers to elevated workstations; scissor lifts are not covered by the aerial lift provisions. - 05/03/2001
1926.453(b)(2)(v) - Whether OSHA standards require employees to be tied off while working over water on an aerial lift. - 03/20/2010
1926.453(b)(2)(vi) - Permissibility of attaching welding leads to an occupied aerial lift bucket and using an external lifeline to anchor fall arrest equipment. - 02/23/2004
1926.453(b)(2)(vi) - Standards applicable to aerial lifts; acceptable uses of body belts as restraint systems and positioning devices. - 05/11/2001
1926.453(b)(2)(vii) - Standards applicable to aerial lifts; acceptable uses of body belts as restraint systems and positioning devices. - 05/11/2001
1926.453(b)(2)(viii) - Safety Standards regulating the stability of mobile scaffolds, scissor lifts, and aerial work platforms. - 06/10/2002
1926.453(b)(2)(viii) - Standards applicable to aerial lifts; acceptable uses of body belts as restraint systems and positioning devices. - 05/11/2001
1926.453(b)(2)(x) - Standards applicable to aerial lifts; acceptable uses of body belts as restraint systems and positioning devices. - 05/11/2001
1926.453(b)(2)(x) - Use of an aerial basket to lift employees to an elevation to climb to a higher elevation. - 04/17/1973
1926.453(b)(2)(xi) - Permissibility of attaching welding leads to an occupied aerial lift bucket and using an external lifeline to anchor fall arrest equipment. - 02/23/2004
1926.453(b)(2)(xi) - Standards applicable to aerial lifts; acceptable uses of body belts as restraint systems and positioning devices. - 05/11/2001
1926.453(b)(2)(xii) - Standards applicable to aerial lifts; acceptable uses of body belts as restraint systems and positioning devices. - 05/11/2001

OSH Act - Section 5(a)(1)