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OSHA Requirements for Back-up Alarms

When you hear a steady, high pitched, repetitive beeping sound, chances are good that somewhere nearby, construction equipment is backing up. Since 1971, the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) has had two requirements for back-up alarms relating to construction equipment. These standards are found in the federal Code of Federal Regulations at 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(4) and in 29 CFR 1926.602(a)(9)(i).

  1. Alarm History

    • OSHA back-up alarm requirements were introduced to American construction equipment in 1971 based on Army Corps of Engineers standards. In a September 27, 2004 letter, the then-director of the OSHA directorate of construction explained the rules were put in place because of "the pervasive construction hazard of being struck by construction vehicles." Updating the pre-1971 data, the director noted that during 2001-2004, OSHA investigated eight fatalities where a worker was struck by a vehicle backing up without an audible alarm.

    Back-up Alarms

    • Motor vehicles operating within an off-highway job site that is not open to public traffic are governed by 29 CFR 1926.601(a). According to regulations, a vehicle with an obstructed view to the rear must have a "reverse signal alarm audible above the surrounding noise level," or the vehicle can only be backed up when an observer signals it is safe to back up.

      Earthmoving and compacting equipment are covered in 29 CFR 1926.602(a)(9)(i), which requires a "reverse signal alarm distinguishable from the surrounding noise level" or an employee signaling that it is safe to go in reverse.

    Silent Back-up Alarms

    • OSHA has received letters from residents near construction sites asking if OSHA has alarm requirements that would be less noisy than existing alarms. The signal or observer employee is a silent solution and one authorized under OSHA requirements. OSHA also noted in a 2004 interpretation that audible alarms do not have to be a single tone. If shown to be effective, a "white noise" device can be used, as long as the device would be "audible above the surrounding noise." The OSHA official emphasized, if a device "provides adequate warning to workers in the path of the vehicle, and to workers walking towards the path of the vehicle in time to avoid contact, " it would comply with OSHA regulations.

    Non-approved Alarms

    • When asking for an OSHA approval of a safety device, OSHA representatives usually cite existing requirements a product has to comply with and do not endorse products. In this way, manufacturers do not make official "OSHA approved" statements. OSHA also does not endorse or approve back-up safety devices across the board because of the variable conditions of job sites and the possibility of alteration or misapplication of equipment.

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