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Fall protection under OSHA Instruction STD 3-3.1

Summary A Nevada safety official sought an interpretation of OSHA Instruction STD 3-3.1. OSHA said its construction fall-protection provision should be cited for falls over 25 feet and that any device listed in that provision could abate the hazard under the instruction, even though the standard itself used different wording. OSHA archives the letter.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1984-09-26
Date issued
September 26, 1984
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Fall Protection Construction Enforcement
Source
View the official document

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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy. 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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

September 26, 1984

Michael J. Tyler, Administrator
Division of Occupational Safety and Health
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mike:

Donna Lewis called on an interpretation of OSHA Instruction STD 3-3.1.

After contacting the National Office, 1926.105(a) shall be cited for falls over 25 feet. In reading paragraph G 2 a, any devices listed in 105(a) are adequate fall protection devices for abating the hazard, although that is not the exact language of the standard.

Sincerely,
GABRIEL J. GILLOTTI
Assistant Regional Administrator
Office of Technical Support

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