Physical qualifications for crane and derrick operators

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

August 31, 1978

Mr. W. C. Bailey
Director of Safety
Stone and Webster Engineering Corporation
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Bailey:

This is in response to your recent telephone inquiry to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration concerning physical qualification requirements for crane operators. This also confirms a telephone conversation with Ms. Preston, of our staff.

Physical qualifications for crane and derrick operators are safety related and required. However, OSHA requirements for Crawler, Locomotive, Truck and Derrick operators are limited to the following:

(1) Have vision of at least 20/30 Snellen in one eye, and 20/50 in the other, with or without glasses. Exception:

Derrick operators shall have adequate vision with or without glasses for the specific operation.

(2) Be able to distinguish red, green, and yellow, regardless of position of colors, if color differentiation is required for operation.

(3) Hearing, with or without hearing aid, muse be adequate for the specific operation.

(4) A history of epilepsy or of a disabling heart condition shall be sufficient reason for his disqualification.

Thank you for your continuing interest in occupational safety and health. If we can be of any further assistance, please contact us.

Sincerely,
Bruce Hillenbrand
Acting Director,
Federal Compliance
and State Programs