Use of overhead bridge and gantry cranes as work platforms.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

April 6, 1993

Colin J. Brigham, CIH, CSP
Loss Control Manager
EBI Companies
Four Greenwood Square
3325 Street Road
Suite 220
Bensalem, PA 19020

Dear Mr. Brigham:

This is in response to your question concerning whether overhead bridge cranes and gantry cranes, regulated by OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.179, can be used as work platforms. Work, such as servicing of overhead lights, would be performed from such cranes.

Hoists that have two upper "hoist limit switches".

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

November 29, 1993

Mr. Jeffrey A. Shockey
Manager, Health & Safety
Compliance and Services Aluminum
Company of America
Alcoa Building
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219

Dear Mr. Shockey:

Thank you for your inquiries of November 2, requesting an interpretation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard at 29 CFR 1910.179(n)(4)(i), Hoist limit switch, as it pertains to hoists that have two upper "hoist limit switches".

Application of bridge brakes.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

October 8, 1991

Mr. Daniel E. Guadagno
Supervising Safety Engineer
Environmental, Health, and Safety
Inland Steel Flat Products Company
3210 Watling Street
East Chicago, Indiana 46312

Dear Mr. Guadagno:

A crane may be used for rated load testing of below-the-hook lifting device provided the test does not exceed 125% for the crane's rated load.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

August 8, 1994

Mr. T. W. Elmy Sr. Staff Engineer Aluminum Company of America 2300 N. Wright Road Alcoa, TN. 37701

Dear Mr. Elmy:

Thank you for your inquiry of April 30, concerning whether it is acceptable to OSHA and within the intent of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard at 29 CFR 1910.179(k) that a crane may be used for rated load testing of "below-the-hook lifting device" provided the test does not exceed 125% of the crane's rated load. We apologize for the delay in responding.

Inspection of running ropes.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

March 27, 1992

Mr. R. E. Craven
Resident Director
Strategic Weapons Facility
Atlantic Missile Systems Division
Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
St. Marys, Georgia 31558

Dear Mr. Craven:

Thank you for your inquiry of January 22, addressed to the Director, Office of Safety Standards, requesting an interpretation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards at 29 CFR 1910.179(m)(1), inspection of running ropes. Please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.

The need for an employer to comply with standards other than those which are enforced by OSHA.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

February 27, 1992

Mr. William Dupont
North American Crane Bureau
Suite 218 1001
Executive Center Drive
Orlando, Florida 32803-3520

Dear Mr. Dupont:

This is in response to your letter of March 7, 1991, to Mr. Davis Layne, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Regional Administrator for Region IV, regarding the need for an employer to comply with standards other than those which are enforced by OSHA. Please excuse the delay in responding to your inquiry.

Inspection of Crane Hooks.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

February 12, 1992

Comments on Variance Application Number 2293.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

September 18, 1995

MEMORANDUM FOR:     STEVE MALLINGER
                   Acting Director
                   Directorate of Technical Support

FROM:               JOHN MILES
                   Director
                   Directorate of Compliance

SUBJECT:            Comments on Variance Application Number 2293: VARIANCE
                   REQUEST FROM 1910.179(n)(3)(vi), 1910.180(h)(3)(vi), 
                   and 1910.180(h)(4)(ii)

This memorandum is in response to your request for assistance in evaluating a variance request for Lockheed Martin Astro Space.

Inspection certification record requirements in overhead and gantry cranes.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

October 21, 1997

Mr. Timothy G. Burns
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
3M Company, Corporate Safety Department
P.O. Box 33331, Building 42-2W-09
St. Paul, Minnesota 55133-3331

Dear Mr. Burns:

This is in response to your September 19 letter requesting an interpretation from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) concerning inspection certification record requirements in 29 CFR 1910.179 overhead and gantry cranes.

Clarification of overhead and gantry cranes.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

January 3, 1997

Mr. Charles Pertuit
Technical Training Group Ltd.
915 Distributors Row
P.O. Box 1777
Metairie, LA 70004-1777

Dear Mr. Pertuit:

This is in response to your November 5, 1996, letter enclosed with your forwarding December 2, 1996, letter. In your November 5 letter, you requested clarification of paragraph 1910.179(b)(2). Your questions and our replies follow.

Question: