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U.S. Department of Labor | ![]() |
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Occupational Safety & Health Administration |
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Standard Interpretations
02/19/2004 - Fall protection components from different manufacturers may be used together provided connecting parts are sized compatibly. |
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Standard Number: | 1926.502; 1926.502(d); 1926.502(d)(5); 1926.502(d)(6); 1926.502(e)(7); 1926.502(e)(8) |
February 19, 2004 Mr. Chuck Hill [Address Withheld] Re: Under §1926.502, whether components of fall protections systems from different manufacturers may be used together, provided they have compatible shapes and dimensions. Dear Mr. Hill: This is in response to your e-mail dated February 11, 2004, to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). You ask about the requirements for fall protection equipment (i.e., a safety positioning strap and a body belt) and whether the equipment components must be manufactured by the same company or can be made by various manufacturers. We have paraphrased your question as follows: Question: May fall protection safety equipment components be manufactured by different companies or must one manufacturer make each individual system? Answer Section 1926.502 "Fall protection systems criteria and practices" states in part: (d)(5) and (e)(7):These provisions require that snaphooks used in personal fall arrest systems and in positioning devices be sized to be compatible with the member to which they are connected, or be of a locking type designed to prevent disengagement of the snaphook. In addition, for certain specified connections, only locking snaphooks designed for those connections can be used. In sum, individual components in a fall arrest (or in a positioning device system) may be made by different manufacturers as long as they meet these compatibility requirements. If you need additional information, please contact us by fax (202-693-1689) at: U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, Office of Construction Standards and Guidance. You can also contact us by mail at U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, Office of Construction Standards and Guidance, Room N3468, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210, although there will be a delay in our receiving correspondence by mail. Sincerely, Russell B. Swanson, Director Directorate of Construction |
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