Ground conditions for equipment

Under 1926.1402(a)(1), "ground conditions" means the ability of the ground to support the equipment, including factors such as slope, compaction, and firmness.

• This definition appears verbatim in 1926.1402(a)(1).
• When planning equipment set-up, evaluate slope, how well the soil is compacted, and how firm it feels, because all three affect whether the ground can safely support equipment.

Under 1926.1402(a)(2), "supporting materials" are items used to help support equipment set-up such as blocking, mats, cribbing, marsh buggies (for marshes/wetlands), or similar supporting devices.

• See the exact list in 1926.1402(a)(2).
• Use these materials when the natural ground alone cannot meet the equipment manufacturer's support or leveling requirements.

Under 1926.1402(b), equipment must not be assembled or used unless the ground is firm, drained, and graded enough so that, together with any needed supporting materials, the equipment manufacturer's specifications for adequate support and level are met.

• See the requirement in 1926.1402(b).
• In practice this means you must check ground firmness, slope, and drainage and add blocking, mats, cribbing, etc., if needed, to meet the manufacturer's instructions before assembling or operating equipment.

No — under 1926.1402(b) the requirement for the ground to be drained does not apply to marshes or wetlands.

• The standard explicitly states this exception in 1926.1402(b).
• In marshy areas you will rely on appropriate supporting materials (for example, marsh buggies listed in 1926.1402(a)(2)) and ground preparation suited to wet conditions.

Yes — under 1926.1402(b) supporting materials may be used in conjunction with ground preparations to meet the equipment manufacturer's support and level requirements.

• The term "supporting materials" (for example, blocking, mats, cribbing, marsh buggies) is defined in 1926.1402(a)(2).
• The overall requirement that ground plus any supporting materials meet the manufacturer's specifications is in 1926.1402(b).

Under 1926.1402(c)(1), the controlling entity must ensure that the ground preparations necessary to meet the requirements in paragraph (b) are provided.

• See the responsibility in 1926.1402(c)(1).
• In practice the controlling entity arranges or funds grading, dewatering, compaction, or supplying mats/cribbing as needed so equipment can be safely assembled and used.

Under 1926.1402(d), if there is no controlling entity for the project, the employer who has authority at the site to make or arrange for ground preparations must meet the requirement in 1926.1402(c)(1).

• This is stated in 1926.1402(d).
• Practically, the on-site employer with authority (for example, general contractor or equipment-renting employer with site control) must ensure the ground is prepared to meet 1926.1402(b).

Under 1926.1402(c)(2), the controlling entity must inform the user and the operator of hazards beneath the equipment set-up area — such as voids, tanks, or utilities — if those hazards are identified in documents (for example, site drawings, as-built drawings, soil analyses) that the controlling entity has in its possession (on-site or off-site) or if the hazards are otherwise known to the controlling entity.

• See the notification requirement in 1926.1402(c)(2).
• If the controlling entity knows of a buried tank or utility line from drawings or prior work, they must tell the operator so appropriate precautions and ground preparations can be made.

Under 1926.1402(e), if the authorized/director (A/D) or the operator determines the ground conditions do not meet the requirements in paragraph (b), that person's employer must have a discussion with the controlling entity about the ground preparations needed so the requirements in paragraph (b) can be met, using suitable supporting materials/devices if necessary.

• The process and who must talk to whom are specified in 1926.1402(e).
• This means the operator’s employer cannot simply proceed if the set-up is unsafe; they must raise the issue with the controlling entity and arrange the required ground work or supporting materials.

Under 1926.1402(f), this section does not apply to cranes designed for use on railroad tracks when they are used on railroad tracks that are part of the general railroad system of transportation regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) under 49 CFR part 213 and that comply with applicable FRA requirements.

• See the exclusion in 1926.1402(f).
• For questions about which federal agency’s rules apply in those railroad settings, OSHA has explained the concept of agency preemption under section 4(b)(1) in its interpretation on sanitation applicability to railroad track employees: OSHA sanitation standards applicability.

Under 1926.1402(a)(1) and (b), "firm, drained, and graded" means the ground must be solid enough (firm), shaped and sloped as required (graded), and free of standing water (drained) so that, possibly with supporting materials, it will support and level the equipment to meet the manufacturer's specifications.

• The parts of the rule that define the concept and require these conditions are 1926.1402(a)(1) and 1926.1402(b).
• In practice: check for soft or loose soils, correct slope for stability, no standing water unless in marsh/wetland conditions (see the 1926.1402(b) exception), and use mats/cribbing if needed to meet the equipment maker’s level and support specs.

Yes — under 1926.1402(b) the equipment manufacturer's specifications for adequate support and degree of level must be met before assembling or using the equipment, either by ground conditions alone or in combination with supporting materials.

• The requirement is stated in 1926.1402(b).
• That means you must consult the manufacturer's instructions and confirm your ground and supports provide the stability and levelness the manufacturer requires.

No — under 1926.1402(b) equipment cannot be assembled or used unless the ground conditions are firm, drained, and graded to a sufficient extent so that, in conjunction (if necessary) with supporting materials, the manufacturer's specifications are met. You must evaluate the ground first and then use supporting materials where needed.

• See the combined requirement in 1926.1402(b).
• In short: supporting materials supplement ground preparations — they do not replace an assessment of slope, compaction, and firmness.

Yes — under 1926.1402(c)(2) the controlling entity must inform the user and operator of hazards beneath the equipment set-up area if those hazards are identified in documents that are in the possession of the controlling entity, whether those documents are at the site or off-site.

• See the exact wording in 1926.1402(c)(2).
• The rule requires conveying the hazard information; it does not prescribe the format, but practical compliance usually means communicating location and nature of the hazard before set-up begins.

Yes — under 1926.1402(a)(2) marsh buggies are specifically listed as an example of supporting materials, and 1926.1402(b) exempts marshes and wetlands from the drained-ground requirement, so using marsh buggies and other supporting devices is appropriate to meet the manufacturer's support and leveling requirements in those environments.

• See the supporting-materials definition in 1926.1402(a)(2) and the marsh/wetland exception in 1926.1402(b).
• Use equipment-rated supports (mats, marsh buggies, cribbing) and check manufacturer guidance for safe operation on soft ground.

Under 1926.1402(c)(1) and (d), the controlling entity must ensure necessary ground preparations are provided, and if there is no controlling entity the employer with site authority must do so; typical steps include grading, compaction, dewatering, providing mats or cribbing, and verifying the setup meets the equipment manufacturer's support and level specifications.

• The responsibilities are stated in 1926.1402(c)(1) and 1926.1402(d).
• Document your ground-prep plan, confirm materials and procedures meet manufacturer requirements, and communicate completion to equipment users and operators before assembly.

Under 1926.1402(c)(2), the controlling entity must inform the user and operator of hazards beneath the equipment set-up area if those hazards are identified in documents the controlling entity possesses, but the regulation does not explicitly require providing copies of the documents—only that the location of hazards be communicated.

• The notice requirement is in 1926.1402(c)(2).
• Although the standard does not mandate giving copies, giving operators access to relevant drawings or marked plans is a practical way to meet the communication requirement and reduce risk.