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Crane rule coverage for crawler tampers

Summary A company asked whether the construction crane rule applied to two crawler machines used only as tampers. OSHA said the cited rule did not apply if the machines could only function as tampers, but would apply if they were equipped and used as cranes. OSHA now archives the letter as potentially outdated.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1986-03-11-1
Date issued
March 11, 1986
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA archives this document and says it may no longer represent OSHA policy.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Cranes Coverage
Source
View the official document

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The current status of this document is unclear
OSHA archives this document and says it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

March 11, 1986

Mr. James E. Shurts
ABC Services, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Shurts:

This is in response to your letter concerning your batam crawler C-350 and C-35 machines used only as a tamper.

It is our understanding that the subject machines are not equipped to be used as a crane but strictly as a tamper, therefore, 29 CFR 1926.550(a)(9) is not applicable. If the machines are equipped and used as a crane 29 CFR 1926.550(a)(9) is applicable.

If we can be of further assistance, please let us know.

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

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