Suffolk County Contractors, Inc.

Plain-English summary

OSHA alleged that Suffolk County Contractors willfully violated the ten-foot power-line clearance rule while operating a backhoe. The judge vacated the citation because he found the crane-and-derrick standard inapplicable to backhoes and did not reach the merits. After that ruling, the Commission overruled the precedent on which the judge relied to the extent it excluded backhoes performing lifting functions normally performed by cranes. The Commission therefore set aside the judge's ruling and remanded the case for reconsideration under its current precedent and, if necessary, a decision on the alleged violation.

Decision snapshot

• Cited standard(s): 29 C.F.R. § 1926.550(a)(15)(i)
• Outcome: The order vacating the citation was set aside, and the case was remanded for reconsideration and possible merits findings
• Key point: A backhoe performing a crane-like lifting function may be subject to the crane power-line clearance standard

Full text (OSHRC public release)

Docket No. 78-4479

1 of 202 DOCUMENTS

TURNER COMPANY

A. SCHONBEK & CO., INC.
�

NORANDA ALUMINUM, INC.
�

GENERAL MOTORS CORP., GM ASSEMBLY DIV.
�

ALLIED PLANT MAINTENANCE CO. OF OKLAHOMA, INC.
�

CLEMENT FOOD COMPANY

MILLCON CORPORATION

FWA DRILLING COMPANY, INC.
�

CCI, INC.
�

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED ALUMINUM CORPORATION

THE BRONZE CRAFT CORPORATION

CARGILL, INC.
�

CHAPMAN CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.
�

GALLO MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS, INC.
�

SPECIAL METALS CORPORATION

WILLAMETTE IRON AND STEEL COMPANY

NASHUA CORPORATION

WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION

RESEARCH-COTTRELL, INC.
�

ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

NEWPORT NEWS SHIPBUILDING & DRYDOCK CO.
�

NEWPORT NEWS SHIPBUILDING & DRYDOCK CO.
�

BUNKOFF CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.
�

GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, FRIGIDAIRE DIVISION

HARRIS BROTHERS ROOFING CO.
�

GENERAL DIVERS COMPANY

ORMET CORPORATION

R. ZOPPO CO., INC.
�

COEUR D'ALENE TRIBAL FARM

L. A. DREYFUS COMPANY

CMH COMPANY, INC.
�

BENTON FOUNDRY, INC.
�

MICHAEL CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.
�

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

BROWN & ROOT, POWER PLANT DIVISION

MARION POWER SHOVEL CO., INC.
�

ERSKINE-FRASER CO.
�

MORRISON-KNUDSEN AND ASSOCIATES

THE BOAM COMPANY

DIC-UNDERHILL, a Joint Venture

C. R. BURNETT AND SONS, INC.; HARLLEE FARMS

STRIPE-A-ZONE, INC.
�

FORTE BROTHERS, INC.
�

RAYBESTOS FRICTION MATERIALS COMPANY

TEXLAND DRILLING CORPORATION

THE ANACONDA COMPANY, WIRE AND CABLE DIVISION

SAM HALL & SONS, INC.
�

VAMPCO METAL PRODUCTS, INC.
�

LEONE INDUSTRIES, INC.
�

ASARCO, INC.
�

DURANT ELEVATOR, A DIVISION OF SCOULAR-BISHOP GRAIN COMPANY

PLUM CREEK LUMBER COMPANY

PLUM CREEK LUMBER COMPANY

STEARNS-ROGER, INC.
�

FERRO CORPORATION, (ELECTRO DIVISION)

AMERICAN PACKAGE COMPANY, INC.
�

BROWN & ROOT, INC., POWER PLANT DIVISION

FLEETWOOD HOMES OF TEXAS, INC.
�

DONALD HARRIS, INC.
�

A. PROKOSCH & SONS SHEET METAL, INC.; MID-HUDSON AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER COMPANY, INC.
�

ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTORS OF AMERICA, INC.
�

DAYTON TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY (Division of the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company)

ASARCO, INC., EL PASO DIVISION; HUGHES TOOL COMPANY

NAVAJO FOREST PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES

METROPAK CONTAINERS CORPORATION

AUSTIN BUILDING COMPANY

BABCOCK AND WILCOX COMPANY

DARRAGH COMPANY

BABCOCK & WILCOX COMPANY

OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY

R. ZOPPO COMPANY, INC.
�

LUTZ, DAILY & BRAIN - CONSULTING ENGINEERS

PENNSYLVANIA POWER & LIGHT CO.
�

HARSCO CORPORATION, d/b/a PLANT CITY STEEL COMPANY

NORTHWEST AIRLINES, INC.
�

INDEPENDENCE FOUNDRY & MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
�

GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, INLAND DIVISION

WELDSHIP CORPORATION

S & S DIVING COMPANY

SNIDER INDUSTRIES, INC.
�

NATIONAL STEEL AND SHIPBUILDING COMPANY

MAXWELL WIREBOUND BOX CO., INC.
�

CONTINENTAL GRAIN COMPANY

MISSOURI FARMER'S ASSOCIATION, INC., MFA BOONVILLE EXCHANGE; MFA, INC., d/b/a MFA GRAIN DIVISION; DESERT GOLD FEED COMPANY

CAPITAL CITY EXCAVATING CO., INC.
�

GAF CORPORATION

PPG INDUSTRIES (CARIBE) a Corporation

DRUTH PACKAGING CORPORATION

SOUTHWESTERN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY

TUNNEL ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION CO.
�

WEATHERBY ENGINEERING COMPANY

JOHNSON STEEL & WIRE CO., INC.
�

AUSTIN ROAD CO.
�

MAYHEW STEEL PRODUCTS, INC.
�

LADISH CO., TRI-CLOVER DIVISION, a Corporation

PULLMAN POWER PRODUCTS, INC.
�

NATIONAL ROOFING CORPORATION

OSCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
�

HIGHWAY MOTOR COMPANY, d/b/a PARK PRICE MOTOR COMPANY

S.J. GROVES AND SONS COMPANY

CAR AND TRUCK DOCTOR, INC.
�

PRESTRESSED SYSTEMS, INC.
�

TEXACO, INC.
�

GEORGIA HIGHWAY EXPRESS, INC.
�

RED LOBSTER INNS OF AMERICA, INC.
�

SUNRISE PLASTERING CORP.
�

STONE & WEBSTER ENGINEERING CORPORATION

H.B. ZACHRY COMPANY (INTERNATIONAL)

NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTORS, INC.
�

BUSHWICK COMMISSION COMPANY, INC.
�

CIRCLE T DRILLING CO., INC.
�

J.L. FOTI CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC.
�

TEXACO, INC.
�

KENNETH P. THOMPSON CO., INC.
�

HENRY C. BECK COMPANY

HEATH & STICH, INC.
�

FARMERS EXPORT COMPANY

FOSTER AND KLEISER

TURNER WELDING & ERECTION CO., INC.
�

TRI-CITY CONSTRUCTION CO.
�

THE DURIRON COMPANY, INC.
�

SAMSON PAPER BAG CO., INC.
�

MEL JARVIS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, Inc.
�

MIDWEST STEEL ERECTION, INC.
�

GEISLER GANZ CORPORATION

NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY

NATIONAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY

WALLACE ROOFING COMPANY

REYNOLDS METALS COMPANY, INC.
�

UNIVERSAL ROOFING AND SHEET METAL COMPANY, INC.
�

SUFFOLK COUNTY CONTRACTORS, INC.
�

OSHRC Docket No. 78-4479

Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission

May 28, 1980

�
[*1]
�

Before CLEARY, Chairman; BARNAKO and COTTINE, Commissioners.
�

COUNSEL:

Baruch A. Fellner, Office of the Solicitor, USDOL

Francis V. LaRuffa, Regional Solicitor, U.S. Department of Labor

Daniel J. Carluccio, for the employer

OPINION:

DECISION

BY THE COMMISSION:

A decision of Administrative Law Judge Benjamin G. Usher is before the Commission for review pursuant to section 12(j), 29 U.S.C. �
�
661(i), of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. � �
�
651-678.

Judge Usher vacated a citation issued by the Secretary of Labor.
�
This citation alleged that Respondent, Suffolk County Contractors, Inc., while operating a backhoe, willfully violated the construction standard published at 29 C.F.R. �
�
1926.550(a)(15)(i). n1

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • -Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

n1 29 C.F.R. �
�
1926.550(a)(15)(i) provides:

�
�
1926.550 Cranes and derricks.

(a) General requirements.

(15) Except where electrical distribution and transmission lines have been deenergized and visibly grounded at point of work or where insulating barriers, not a part of or an attachment to the equipment or machinery, have been erected to prevent physical contact with the lines, equipment or machines shall be operated proximate to power lines only in accordance with the following:

(i) For lines rated 50kV. or below, minimum clearance between the lines and any part of the crane or load shall be 10 feet;

�
[*2]
�

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • -End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The judge held that the cited standard was not applicable to backhoes. He relied on the Commission decisions in Felton Construction Co., 76 OSAHRC 136/C14, 4 BNA OSHC 1817, 1976-77 CCH OSHD P21,258 (No. 6759, 1976) ("Felton") and Warner Brothers, Inc., 76 OSAHRC 138/D7, 4 BNA OSHC 1841, 1976-77 CCH OSHD P21,257 (No. 8841, 1976) (a Commission decision relying on Felton).
�
Because he vacated the citation on this basis, the judge did not consider the merits of the alleged violation.

Since the issuance of the Judge's decision in this case, the Commission has overruled Felton to the extent it stood for the proposition that 29 C.F.R. �
�
1926.550 is inapplicable to backhoes used to perform lifting functions usually performed by cranes. Gil Haugan d/b/a Haugan Construction Co., 1979 OSAHRC    , 7 BNA OSHC 2004, 1979 CCH OSHD P24,105 (Nos. 76-1512 and 76-1513, 1979), Tri-City Construction Co., 79 OSAHRC    , 7 BNA OSHC 2189, 1980 CCH OSHD P24,267 (No. 76-4094, 1980).
�
Thus, the judge's ruling must be set aside and the case reconsidered under current Commission precedent.

Accordingly,
�
[*3]
�
this case is remanded to Judge Usher for reconsideration in light of Gil Haugan d/b/a Haugan Construction Co., supra, and if necessary, for disposition on the merits. n2

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • -Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

n2 In Gil Haugan d/b/a Haugan Constr. Co., supra (concurring and dissenting opinion), Commissioner Barnako set forth his interpretation of 29 C.F.R. �
�
1926.550 and concluded that the performance of a lifting function alone was not a sufficient basis on which to apply the standards governing cranes to equipment otherwise not subject to those standards.
�
He thus followed the Commission's decision in Felton Constr. Co., supra. Commissioner Barnako continues to adhere to the position set form, by him in Gil Haugan d/b/a Haugan Constr. Co., supra. However, he has previously recognized that the orderly administration of the Act requires that the Commission's administrative law judges follow precedents established by the Commission.
�
Gulf & Western Food Products Co., 77 OSAHRC 72/A2, 4 BNA OSHC 1436 at 1439, 1976-77 CCH OSHD P20,884 at 25,067 (Nos. 6804 & 6805, 1976).
�
For this reason, he joins with his colleagues in their remand order.

�
[*4]
�

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • -End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SO ORDERED.
�