May 8, 1981

Mr. A. Bennett Hill, Jr.
Director of Safety and Health
International Union of Operating Engineers
1125 Seventeenth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036

Dear Mr. Hill:

This is in response to your letter to John Miles dated March 10, 1981. It concerned the applicability of operator physical qualification requirements contained in certain ANSI standards incorporated by reference in 29 CFR 1926.550. Specifically, these standards are:

1. 29 CFR 1926.550(b)(2); ANSI B30.5-1968, Safety Code for Crawler, Locomotive and Truck Cranes, Qualifications for Operators, Chapter 5- 3.1.2, paragraph b.

2. 29 CFR 1926.550(d)(4); ANSI B30.2.0-1967, Safety Code for Overhead and Gantry Cranes, Qualifications for Operators of Cab-Operated and Pulpit-Operated Cranes, Chapter 2-3.1.2, paragraph b.

3. 29 CFR 1926.550(e); ANSI B30.6-1969, Safety Code for Derricks.

a. Qualifications for Designated Individuals in Charge of Derrick Operations, Chapter 6-3.1.2, paragraph b.

b. Qualifications for Operators, Chapter 6-3.2.2, paragraph b.

It is the interpretation of OSHA that the physical qualification requirements incorporated by reference in 29 CFR 1926.550 do not apply to operators of equipment covered by these standards.

Your interest in this matter is appreciated. I believe that this letter will clarify this issue.

Sincerely,



Thorne G. Auchter
Assistant Secretary