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Audible backup alarms and off-highway trucks

Summary A state transportation agency asked about construction-vehicle requirements. OSHA said an alarm must be distinguishable from surrounding noise, and off-highway trucks used at construction sites must meet the cited construction-equipment requirements.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1979-07-23
Date issued
July 23, 1979
Status
Active
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Construction Equipment
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.

July 23, 1979

Mr. George W. Tinkham
Assistant Chief Counsel
Illinois Department of Transportation
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Tinkham:

This is in response to your recent inquiry requesting additional information for specific Construction Safety and Health Regulations.

The intended meaning of the words "audible above" found in 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(4)(i) is to require a signal alarm distinguishable from the surrounding noise level. As indicated in your letter, 29 CFR 1926.602(a)(1) does apply to "off-highway trucks." Trucks, including dumpers, designed for off-highway operations at a construction site must comply with the 29 CFR 1926.602 requirements.

We hope this information will be helpful to you. If we may be of any further assistance, please feel free to write or call.

Sincerely,
Grover C. Wrenn Director,
Federal Compliance
and State Programs

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