Ezel / Labor Guidance / US
Back to Federal guidance

Traffic-exposure rule for excavation workers

Summary An OSHA area office asked whether a construction traffic provision applied beyond excavations. OSHA said the cited rule concerned workers exposed to vehicles during excavation or trenching, while other construction traffic rules covered other work. The archived memo notes a 2004 correction.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1975-07-08
Date issued
July 8, 1975
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy. The page notes a May 28, 2004 correction.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Excavation Traffic Safety
Source
View the official document

Apply this to your situation

This page explains the general guidance. Ask about your specific situation and see what current federal labor law says, with citations.

The current status of this document is unclear
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy. The page notes a May 28, 2004 correction. It may no longer reflect the agency's current position. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

July 8, 1975

Memorandum Regarding: [29 CFR 1926.651(d)]

John K. Parsons, Area Director
Albuquerque Area Office

With reference to your request dated June 24, 1975 concerning interpretation and/or applicability of the above subject standard, I submit the following.

This standard specifically applies to employees exposed to vehicular traffic involving excavation and/or trenching operations only.

Requirements applicable to other phases of construction work where employees are exposed to vehicular traffic are stated in 29 CFR 1926.200(g) and 29 CFR 1926.201(a).

C. R. HOLDER
AARD - Technical Support

[Corrected 05/28/2004]

Related guidance

Permanently labeled locks for electrical lockout Opinion Letter · August 17, 2026 Helmet selection for lateral head-impact hazards Opinion Letter · August 17, 2026 Asbestos precautions when restoring drywall after flood damage Opinion Letter · May 7, 2026 Enforcement policy for recording and reporting COVID-19 cases Guidance · March 31, 2026

What does federal law require in your situation?

Ezel checks current federal labor law against your facts and answers with citations.

Opens in Ezel Pro.

  • Checks the law as it stands today, not only this page
  • Cites every source it relies on, so you can verify it
  • Chat, drafting and research in one workspace