Quick Link
For information related to construction, see OSHA's Scaffolding - Construction page.

Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees". Section 5(a)(2) requires employers to "comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act".

Note: Twenty-four states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

• 1910 Subpart B, Adoption and extension of established federal standards
  • 1910.16, Longshoring and marine terminals
• 1910 Subpart D, Walking-working surfaces [related topic page]
  • 1910.25, Portable wood ladders
    • 1910.25(d)(2)(i)
  • 1910.28, Safety requirements for scaffolding
  • 1910.29, Manually propelled mobile ladder stands and scaffolds (towers)
• 1910 Subpart Q, Welding, cutting, and brazing [related topic page]
  • 1910.252, General requirements
    • 1910.252(b)(1)(i)
• 1910 Subpart R, Special industries
  • 1910.272, Grain handling facilities [related topic page]
    • Appendix A, Grain handling facilities

Shipyard Employment (29 CFR 1915)

• 1915 Subpart E, Scaffolds, ladders and other working surfaces
  • 1915.71, Scaffolds or staging
  • 1915.77, Working surfaces
    • 1915.77(c)
• 1915 Subpart G, Gear and equipment for rigging and materials handling
  • 1915.114, Chain falls and pull-lifts
    • 1915.114(d)
• 1915 Subpart P, Fire protection in shipyard employment
  • 1915.509, Definitions applicable to this subpart

Marine Terminals (29 CFR 1917)

• 1917 Subpart A, Scope and definitions
  • 1917.1, Scope and applicability
• 1917 Subpart F, Terminal facilities
  • 1917.119, Portable ladders
    • 1917.119(f)(2)
      • 1917.119(f)(2)(i)

Longshoring (29 CFR 1918)

• 1918 Subpart C, Gangways and other means of access
  • 1918.24, Fixed and portable ladders

• The OSHA Regulatory Agenda contains an entry related to scaffolds in shipyards.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Shipyard Employment (1996)
  • Summary and Explanation of Final Rule
• Search all available preambles to final rules.

• Shipyard Employment "Tool Bag" Directive. CPL 02-00-142, (2006, August 3). Provides guidance to OSHA for implementing intervention and inspection programs to reduce or eliminate workplace hazards in shipyard employment.
• Longshoring and Marine Terminal "Tool Shed" Directive. CPL 02-00-139, (2006, May 23). Provides consistent information and ensures consistent enforcement of OSHA's marine cargo handling industry standards.
• Search all available directives.