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Rollover protection on mobile hydraulic hammers

Summary An equipment manufacturer asked whether mobile hydraulic hammers required rollover protective structures. OSHA said the construction ROPS rules did not apply to them at that time, but recommended protection for hammers and post drivers. It mentioned only a possible future rule proposal.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1978-06-05
Date issued
June 5, 1978
Status
Active
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Construction Equipment Rollover Protection
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.

June 5, 1978

Mr. Larry Griffin
Product Manager
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Griffin:

This is in response to your letter dated May 12, 1978, concerning rollover protective structure application.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Construction Safety and Health Regulations for rollover protective structures (ROPS) does not apply to mobile hydraulic hammers at this time. However, ROPS application is recommended for mobile hydraulic hammers and post drivers. I have been informed by the Office of Construction Standards that when 29 CFR 1926.1000 and 29 CFR 1926.1001 are modified in the future, the new proposal will probably contain regulations for ROPS on mobile hydraulic hammers and post drivers.

I hope this information will be helpful to you. If I may be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact.

Sincerely,
John K. Barto, Chief
Division of Occupational
Safety Programming

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