Definitions for protective equipment

Under 1926.107(a) a "contaminant" means any material which by reason of its action upon, within, or to a person is likely to cause physical harm.

• Use this plain definition when deciding whether a substance at your worksite is a hazard that needs controls or personal protective equipment.

• For help turning that definition into workplace actions (like selecting PPE), see OSHA's guidance on employer hazard assessments in the PPE hazard assessment letter of interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28.

Under 1926.107(a) an employer should treat any material that is likely to cause physical harm as a contaminant and address it in the hazard assessment.

• OSHA advises employers to perform a workplace hazard assessment before selecting PPE; see the PPE hazard assessment letter of interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28 for guidance on how to identify hazards (chemical, biological, physical) and document PPE needs.

• The definition tells you what to look for; the LOI explains that you must assess those hazards and choose PPE that protects against the identified contaminants.

Under 1926.107(b) a "lanyard" means a rope, suitable for supporting one person, with one end fastened to a safety belt or harness and the other end secured to a substantial object or a safety line.

• The definition emphasizes that a lanyard is intended to support a single person and must be attached to either the worker's belt/harness and an anchor or safety line.

Under 1926.107(c) a "lifeline" means a rope, suitable for supporting one person, to which a lanyard or safety belt (or harness) is attached.

• The practical difference in the definitions is that a lanyard connects the worker to something, while a lifeline is the rope to which that connection is made.

• Both definitions say the rope must be suitable for supporting one person, so employers should not assume a single rope intended for one person is acceptable for multiple users.

Under 1926.107(f) a "safetybelt" means a device, usually worn around the waist which, by reason of its attachment to a lanyard and lifeline or a structure, will prevent a worker from falling.

• The definition focuses on a waist-worn device that, when properly attached, prevents a fall; it is distinct from a full-body harness (which is referenced elsewhere) but the basic purpose—preventing a fall through attachment—is the same.

• For how these components are used together in fall-protection systems on suspended scaffolds and similar equipment, see OSHA's suspended scaffold/fall protection interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2023-12-05.

Under 1926.107(b) and 1926.107(c) both a lanyard and a lifeline are described as "suitable for supporting one person," so they are not intended to support multiple workers simultaneously.

• If more than one worker needs fall protection at the same location, employers must provide equipment and anchorage rated and arranged for each user rather than relying on a single rope intended for one person.

• For practical application to suspended scaffold work and anchorage considerations, see the suspended scaffold/fall protection LOI at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2023-12-05.

Under 1926.107(b) a lanyard has one end fastened to a safety belt or harness and the other secured to a substantial object or a safety line; under 1926.107(c) a lifeline is the rope to which that lanyard or safety belt (or harness) is attached.

• In simple terms: worker → lanyard → lifeline or anchor (the lanyard connects the worker's belt/harness to a lifeline or a substantial anchor point).

Under 1926.107(d) "O.D." means optical density and refers to the light refractive characteristics of a lens.

• Optical density indicates how much light (including radiant energy) a lens reduces; higher O.D. values mean less light gets through.

• When selecting eye protection for hazards involving bright light or radiant energy, consider the lens's O.D. as part of your PPE selection; OSHA's PPE hazard assessment letter of interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28 explains that employers must assess hazards and choose appropriate PPE.

Under 1926.107(e) "radiant energy" means energy that travels outward in all directions from its sources.

• Radiant energy includes intense light or heat sources (for example, welding, infrared, or UV) that can damage eyes or skin; protecting against it often requires specialized lenses or filters with the right optical density.

• Employers should identify radiant-energy hazards during a PPE hazard assessment and select protective eyewear based on the hazard and lens O.D.; see OSHA's PPE hazard assessment LOI at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28.

Under 1926.107(b), 1926.107(c), and 1926.107(f) the terms describe the components of personal fall protection (a lanyard connects the worker's belt/harness to an anchor or lifeline; a lifeline is the rope to which the lanyard attaches; a safetybelt is the waist device that prevents a fall).

• OSHA has interpreted that many conveyances used during elevator construction meet the definition of suspended scaffold and therefore must meet the Scaffold Standard fall-protection requirements; see OSHA's suspended scaffold/fall protection LOI at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2023-12-05.

• Use the definitions in 1926.107 to determine which pieces of equipment are required and how they connect in a fall-protection system for suspended work.

Under 1926.107(b) the term "lanyard" is defined as a rope suitable for supporting one person.

• The definition uses the word "rope," so the basic concept is a load-supporting line; in practice employers choose materials (for example, synthetic rope or webbing) that are rated and suitable for supporting one person and that meet applicable equipment specifications.

• For guidance on selecting PPE and verifying suitability, consult OSHA's PPE hazard assessment LOI at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28.

Under 1926.107(c) a lifeline is described as a rope suitable for supporting one person, so a single lifeline is not intended to be the anchorage for multiple workers simultaneously.

• If multiple workers need attachment at the same work area, employers must provide anchorage and lifelines arranged and rated for the number of users rather than relying on one-person equipment.

• For examples and interpretation of how these elements are applied to suspended scaffolds and similar configurations, see OSHA's suspended scaffold/fall protection LOI at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2023-12-05.

Under 1926.107(f) a safetybelt is described as a device that, by reason of its attachment to a lanyard and lifeline or a structure, will prevent a worker from falling.

• The definition frames the safetybelt as a fall-prevention device when properly attached; in practice, different systems and devices are used either to prevent an initial fall or to arrest a fall that has already begun, so employers must choose the right equipment for the task and hazards.

• For application of these components in scaffold and suspended work settings, see OSHA's LOI on suspended scaffolds and fall protection at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2023-12-05.

Under 1926.107(d) and 1926.107(e) O.D. describes a lens's light-refractive characteristics and "radiant energy" describes energy that travels outward from a source, so selecting eye protection for welding or cutting requires lenses with appropriate optical density to reduce harmful radiant energy.

• Employers should identify radiant-energy hazards during a PPE hazard assessment and select eyewear with the correct O.D. for the specific source and intensity; see OSHA's PPE hazard assessment LOI at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28 for guidance on assessing hazards and choosing PPE.

• In short: match the lens O.D. to the radiant-energy hazard identified in your workplace assessment.