Subpart B
The purpose of 1926 Subpart B is to provide OSHA's official explanations of how the construction standards in Part 1926 are applied in real workplaces. See 1926 Subpart B for the subpart listing and context within Part 1926.
No — general interpretations do not by themselves create new legal requirements; they explain how OSHA interprets and applies the existing construction standards in Part 1926. For the enforceable rules you must follow the standards in Part 1926, which can be accessed at OSHA Part 1926.
Employers should use a general interpretation as authoritative OSHA guidance to clarify how a Part 1926 requirement applies, and then update procedures to align with that interpretation and the underlying standard. Refer to the relevant construction standards in OSHA Part 1926 when making changes.
Yes — compliance officers may rely on OSHA's general interpretations to determine whether an employer is meeting Part 1926 requirements. The interpretations explain OSHA's application of the standards in Part 1926, which inspectors enforce.
OSHA issues general interpretations and publishes them together with the Part 1926 material on the OSHA website; the subpart entry is available at 1926 Subpart B.
No — general interpretations are explanatory guidance, not a substitute for the text of an OSHA standard or regulation; the binding legal obligations come from the standards in Part 1926.
Document reliance by citing the applicable interpretation and the underlying Part 1926 standard, explaining how workplace practices follow OSHA's stated application. You can reference the subpart and standards via 1926 Subpart B and the broader Part 1926 standards.
An interpretation may need revision if the underlying Part 1926 standard is amended; until an interpretation is updated, employers should follow the current standard text and seek clarification from OSHA if necessary. See OSHA Part 1926 for current standards.
The official construction safety standards are published in Part 1926 of OSHA regulations, which you can view at OSHA Part 1926. Interpretations in Subpart B clarify how those standards apply.
Employers should follow the most current OSHA guidance and standards; if a new directive or updated interpretation supersedes an older one, follow the newer guidance and the text of the standard in Part 1926.
General interpretations inform OSHA's application of Part 1926 standards during inspections and can influence citations, but penalties are based on violations of the actual standards in Part 1926.
State-plan agencies enforce standards at least as effective as federal OSHA; while federal interpretations are persuasive, state agencies may issue their own interpretations — check the applicable state plan and compare with federal Part 1926 guidance at OSHA Part 1926.
Training programs should incorporate interpretations to explain how OSHA applies Part 1926 rules in practice, while teaching the text of the underlying standards found at Part 1926. Use interpretations to give real-world compliance examples.
Courts may consider OSHA interpretations as evidence of the agency's position, but they are not automatically binding law; the controlling legal authority is the Part 1926 regulation text available at OSHA Part 1926.
If an interpretation appears to conflict with the plain text of a Part 1926 standard, follow the standard's text and seek clarification from OSHA; the official standards are posted at Part 1926.
Workplace safety committees can request clarification by contacting OSHA through the agency's interpretation request procedures or local OSHA office and referencing the relevant Part 1926 provision at OSHA Part 1926.
Yes — including relevant OSHA interpretations as guidance within written safety programs can help explain how Part 1926 requirements apply on the job; link those interpretations to the underlying standards found at Part 1926.
General interpretations cover selected topics where OSHA has provided explanations; they do not necessarily cover every Part 1926 subject, so consult the full standards at Part 1926 for comprehensive requirements.
Search OSHA's online resources for the specific Part 1926 section number and keywords; start from the Part 1926 page at OSHA Part 1926 and use OSHA's search or interpretation request tools to locate relevant guidance.
OSHA's authority to issue regulations and related interpretations for construction safety operates under statutes such as the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act, cited in the subpart metadata; see 1926 Subpart B for the authority statement and context within Part 1926.