Use of a strobe light in lieu of an audible backup alarm.

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.

July 20, 1990

Mr. Edwin M. Gately
Environmental/Safety Compliance Supervisor
Tri County Asphalt Corporation
R.D. 3 Box 561
Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey 07849

Dear Mr. Gately:

This is in response to your letters of May 1 and June 13, regarding Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Standard 29 CFR 1926.602(9)(ii).

OSHA standards addressing reverse signal alarms on excavators

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.

May 10, 1995

Mr. John Longo
Corporate Health and Safety Manager
CH2M Hill
625 Herndon Parkway
Herndon, Virginia 22070-5416

Dear Mr. Longo:

This is in response to your October 6, letter requesting an interpretation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) standards addressing reverse signal alarms on excavators.

Earthmoving equipment shall have a service braking system capable of stopping and holding the equipment fully loaded.

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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.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

August 20, 1985

Mr. Steen Hagensen
Haandvaerksraadet
The Danish Federation of Crafts and Smaller Industries
Jyllandsafdeling:
Lille Sct. Hansgade 20
DK-8800 Viborg, Denmark

Dear Mr. Hagensen:

This is in response to your letter of July 8, 1985, addressed to Mr. Bill Simms of my staff, requesting answers to three questions concerning our Construction Standards. We have answered your questions in the same order you posed them.

Clarification of 1926.601 and 1926.602.

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 18, 1974

MEMORANDUM FOR:    ALFRED BARDEN

Subject:           Clarification of 1926.601 and 1926.602

This is in reply to the request as outlined in your memoranda dated September 13, 1974, and November 4, 1974. I apologize for the delay in response to your request.

A review of the two standards has been completed.

The wording in 1926.602(a) applies only to that equipment which moves within the construction site.

Applicable standards to lifting personnel on a platform supported by a rough-terrain forklift.

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 27, 2001

Mr. Mark W. Monson, CSP
General Casualty
10400 Viking Drive, Suite 300
Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Re: §§1926.451(c)(2)(iv) and (v) and 1926.602(c)

Dear Mr. Monson:

Acceptability of using extensible boom forklifts to lift steel joist for spreading by hand

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 23, 2003

Michael A. McCarroll, CSP
PROSAFE Solutions, Inc.
P.O. Box 606
Villa Rica, GA

Re: Whether 1926 Subpart R permits an extensible boom forklift to be used to lift joists up for spreading by hand; whether OSHA requirements limit the number of joists that may be lifted by an extensible boom forklift.

Dear Mr. McCarroll:

Requirement to use seat belts during the operation of earthmoving equipment.

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.

December 15, 2003

Mr. Joel Roth
Safety Director
17210 Robert St.
Southfield, MI 48075

Re: Earthmoving equipment, use of seat belts; §1926.602(a)(2)

Dear Mr. Roth:

Thank you for your memorandum dated October 9, 2003, regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) construction standard for earthmoving equipment, 29 CFR 1926.602. You suggest that §1926.602(a)(2)(i) be modified to indicate that seat belts should be used. We have paraphrased the issue you raise as follows.

Alternatives to common back-up alarms on construction motor vehicles; use of other effective technology or observers/signal persons.

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 27, 2004

[Name and address withheld]

Re: §§1926.601(b)(4) and 1926.602(a)(9)

Dear [Name withheld]:

Thank you for your letter of April 30, 2004, regarding noise emanating from excavating equipment and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for back-up alarms on construction equipment. We apologize for the delay in responding.

We have paraphrased your question as follows:

Whether the operator's cab of excavators must be equipped with seatbelts; §1926.602(a) and §1926.602(b).

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.

May 9, 2006

Mr. Mark Troxell
Director of Safety Services
The Graham Company
The Graham Building
One Penn Square West
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Re: Whether the operator's cab of excavators must be equipped with seatbelts; §1926.602(a) and 1926.602(b)

Dear Mr. Troxell:

Whether "discriminating [back-up] alarms" may be used to meet the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.602(a)(9)(ii).

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.