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Safety nets in steel erection and later policy correction

Summary A steel erector asked when safety nets were required. OSHA's 1975 response described nets as a last resort when other safeguards were impractical and distinguished two fall-distance figures. A 2005 correction directs readers to OSHA's 2002 steel-erection directive for current policy.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1975-07-30
Date issued
July 30, 1975
Status
Superseded
OSHA's June 20, 2005 correction directs readers to Directive CPL 02-01-034, published March 22, 2002, for current steel-erection policy.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Steel Erection Fall Protection Safety Nets
Source
View the official document

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This document has been superseded
OSHA's June 20, 2005 correction directs readers to Directive CPL 02-01-034, published March 22, 2002, for current steel-erection policy. It no longer reflects 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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.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 30, 1975
Marvin Weinstein
Atlas Steel Erectors
Atlas Steel Erectors Company, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Weinstein:
This is in response to your letter requesting clarification of the Standard 1926.105 on Safety Nets.
The OSHA Standard 1926.105(a) requires that nets be used "where use of ladders..., safety lines or safety belts is impractical." The language of the Standard seems to give preference to all other methods of safe guarding leaving safety nets as a last resort because no other safeguard can be used.
Please note that the OSHA Standard 1926.105 specifies 25 feet or less. The 30 foot figure comes from [1926.760] flooring requirements for steel erection which was changed from 25 to 30 feet on June 30, 1974.
Sincerely,
Alfred Barden
Assistant Regional Director
Occupational Safety and Health
[Correction 6/20/2005. See OSHA Directive CPL 02-01-034 "Inspection policy and procedures for OSHA's steel erection standards for construction" published on 3/22/2002 for the current policy.]

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