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Picking and carrying loads with a truck crane

Summary A construction association asked whether a truck crane could pick up and carry a load without deploying outriggers. OSHA said the construction rules allowed that when the manufacturer rated the crane for the operation and the employer met the applicable referenced ANSI requirements. OSHA archives the letter.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1981-10-20
Date issued
October 20, 1981
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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Outriggers Material Handling
Source
View the official document

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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy. It may no longer reflect the agency's current position. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

October 20, 1981

Mr. Richard J. Harris
Director of Industry Relations
The Associated General Contractors of America, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]

Dear Mr. Harris:

Thank you for your letter of October 7, 1981, regarding the safe operation of a truck crane.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Construction Standards allow a truck crane to pick and carry or walk loads in accordance with the crane manufacturer's specifications for the rated load without the use of outriggers, provided the employer also complies with the applicable requirements in ANSI B30.5-1966. A copy of the above mentioned American National Standard referenced in 29 CFR 1926.550(b)(2) has been enclosed for your information.

If I may be of further assistance, please feel free to call or write.

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

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