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Crane instability and outrigger breakaway

Summary A crane consultant asked OSHA how its construction crane rule defined the point of instability. OSHA said any breakaway of an outrigger would move the crane from stability to instability and noted that it had coordinated the answer with Arizona's state safety agency. OSHA archives the letter.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1984-09-07
Date issued
September 7, 1984
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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Equipment Safety
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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

September 7, 1984

Ken Grace, Chief
Consultant
Cholla Crane
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Grace:

This is in response to your letter of July 24, requesting clarification of 29 CFR 1926.550(b)(2) as it relates to the point of instability of a crane.

As discussed with you in a telephone conversation with a member of my staff, any "breakaway" of the outrigger would place the crane from stability to point of instability. We have coordinated this answer with the State of Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

If we can be of further assistance, please contact us again.

Sincerely,
John B. Miles, Jr., Director
Directorate of Field Operations

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