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Guardrails and handholds on crane platforms

Summary An OSHA area office asked whether a crane platform rule set a platform height. The regional technical office said it did not; outside platforms needed standard guardrails, or handholds at convenient points if a narrow platform made rails infeasible. OSHA archives the memo.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1977-07-07
Date issued
July 7, 1977
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Cranes Guardrails Working Platforms
Source
View the official document

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About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

DATE: July 7, 1977

REPLY TO ATTN OF: 6OSHA
TS 77-9

SUBJECT: Interpretation - 29 CFR 1926.550(a)(13)(ii)

TO: Joe M. Ansley, Jr.
Acting Area Director, Little Rock Area Office

In reply to your request of June 29, 1977, concerning above subject, I submit the following.

The requirements of 29 CFR 1926.550(a)(13)(ii) do not relate to the height of platforms on cranes.

The referenced standard ANSI B30.5 as contained in paragraph 5-1.8.2b requires that if outside platforms are provided on cranes, guardrails must be constructed in accordance with standard guardrail specifications or other acceptable arrangements of railing construction as indicated in ANSI A12.1-1967. Where guardrails are not feasible because the platforms are too narrow, hand holds must be provided at convenient points above same.

C. R. Holder
Assistant Regional Administrator for Technical Support

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