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Guarding narrow scaffolds four to ten feet high

Summary A regional administrator asked how the minimum horizontal dimension and guarding rule applied to scaffolds four to ten feet high. OSHA said the dimension referred to the platform and that the general guarding requirement applied to scaffold types without a controlling specific standard. OSHA now archives the memo as potentially outdated.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1986-09-05-0
Date issued
September 5, 1986
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA archives this memorandum and says it may no longer represent OSHA policy.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Scaffolds Fall Protection
Source
View the official document

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The current status of this document is unclear
OSHA archives this memorandum and says it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

September 5, 1986

MEMORANDUM FOR:

ROGER A. CLARK
Regional Administrator

FROM:
JOHN B. MILES, JR., Director
Directorate of Field Operations

ATTN:
ARA/TS STD 3-10 1926.451

SUBJECT:
Applicability of 29 CFR 1926.451(a)(4) - General Requirements

Our clarification to the three questions raised in your August 18, memorandum are as follows:

  1. Does the "minimum horizontal dimension" mentioned in the last sentence of the above standard pertain to the platform or the scaffold framing?

It pertains to the platform.

  1. Does the 1926.451(a)(4) requirement to guard scaffolds 4 to 10 feet in height when the minimum width dimension is not met apply to all types of scaffolds?

It applies to all types of scaffolds no regulated by existing specific standards.

  1. If the specific standard overrides the general requirement, in what situation is the general requirement regarding the guarding of 4 to 10 feet high scaffolds applicable?

The general requirement regarding the guarding of scaffolds 4 feet 10 feet high applies for any scaffold constructed to comply with the general requirements that is not regulated by any specific standard.

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