Testing lineman safety belts and straps

January 22, 1976
Mr. S. Kano
Manager
Danrex, Ltd.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Kano:
This is in reply to your letter of October 16, 1975, regarding approval of lineman's safety belts and devices by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) dose not approve lineman's safety (body) belts and devices exported to the United States, which may be used by oil refineries and electric power companies. Employers in the United States, however, who use this equipment, must comply with OSHA regulations covering this equipment. Therefore, it would benefit any supplier of lineman's safety belts and devices, such as Danrex Ltd., to become familiar with these OSHA regulations.
Requirements for lineman's body belts, safety straps and lanyards used at telecommunications centers and field installations are contained in OSHA regulation, 29 CFR 1910.268(g)(2), which is enclosed. At this time, only Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. (U.L.) and Factory Mutual Research Corporation (F.M.R.C.) conform with the definition of a nationally recognized testing laboratory in the context of this regulation. Therefore, in answer to your question, U.L. and F.M.R.C. are the only laboratories presently recognized and identified by OSHA who can test the lineman's belts, safety straps and lanyards requiring approval in 29 CFR 1910.268(g)(2).
Requirements for lineman's body belts, safety straps and lanyards used in the construction of electrical transmission and distribution lines and equipment are contained in OSHA regulation, 29 CFR 1926.959. This regulation is also enclosed. The specific requirements listed in this regulation include a procedure for testing this equipment, as outlined in paragraph 1926.959(b)(7).
Sincerely,
Grover C. Wrenn
Acting Director
Office of Standards Development
2 Enclosures