Residential construction fall protection and hazard communication

November 29, 1994
The Honorable Peter W. Barca
U.S. House of Representatives
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Congressman Barca:
Thank you for your letter of September 16 on behalf of your constituent Mr. Rodney Hirsch concerning the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) requirements for fall protection at residential construction sites.
Subsequent to your meetings with the residential home builders, the Agency has promulgated new regulations for fall protection at construction sites. We believe the new standard will address your constituent's questions pertaining to fall protection requirements. The rule clearly establishes where fall protection is required and allows alternative measures where providing fall protection is not feasible. Several copies of the final rule are enclosed for your information and use.
With regard to educating the industry before issuing citations please note that the Agency plans to hold numerous meetings all across the nation to discuss and answer questions on the new rules. We are also assisting the National Association of Home Builders in their efforts to help contractors comply with this rule.
With regard to your concerns on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) please be advised that MSDS's are information bulletins about hazardous chemicals that are required under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). Under OSHA's HCS, the MSDS's are required to be prepared by chemical manufacturers and importers for the hazardous chemical products they produce or import. They are also required to be provided to their employees and to other employers purchasing their products. In addition, MSDS's are required to be maintained in the workplace and employers are required to ensure that they are readily accessible during each workshift to employees. Also enclosed is a copy of the Hazard Communication Standard for your reference.
If we can be of further assistance, please contact Mr. Roy Gurnham or Mr. Dale Cavanaugh in the Office of Construction Compliance Assistance at (202) 219-8136. Thank you for your interest in the safety and health of the nation's workers.
Sincerely,
Joseph A. Dear Assistant Secretary

[Requester letter reproduced on OSHA page; omitted here.]