Text from
the OSHA Logging Standard Amendment issued September 8, 1995 in the Federal RegisterParagraph
(f)(3)(ii) -- ROPS Specifications
The final rule requires that logging machines be equipped with rollover protective
structures (ROPS) that are tested, installed and maintained in accordance with the Society
of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1040, April 1988, performance criteria for ROPS. OSHA
stayed this requirement for six months and is now amending the ROPS requirement to state
that only machines manufactured after August 1, 1996 must have ROPS which meet the 1988
SAE standard.
OSHA is making this change because, while many machines currently manufactured do meet
the 1988 SAE ROPS standard, other machines currently manufactured or in use do not. These
machines do have ROPS for the most part. However, the ROPS on these machines meet the 1979
SAE standard instead. While machines that meet the 1988 standard have additional
protection (e.g., protection for longitudinal rollover), machines meeting the 1979
standard do provide protection for the most frequently occurring hazard: horizontal
rollover. As such, OSHA believes that permitting an exception for machines already in
service should not reduce significantly the level of protection provided to machine
operators. Therefore, OSHA is revising the compliance directive to indicate that machines
manufactured on or before August 1, 1996, which comply with the 1979 SAE ROPS standard are
appropriate for use, provided the ROPS is maintained at its designed level of
effectiveness (See paragraph (f)(1)(i) -- machine general maintenance requirement).(4)
__________
Footnote(4) The final rule also provides that ROPS and FOPS required on logging
machines placed into initial service after the effective date must also meet the
requirements of SAE J397, April 1988, "Deflection Limiting Volume -- ROPS/FOPS
Laboratory Evaluation." The 1988 standard updated a 1979 SAE standard on deflection
limiting volume. OSHA notes that there is no functional difference between the criteria of
the 1988 and 1979 SAE standards. Therefore, ROPS and FOPS certified to meet the
requirements of either the 1988 or 1979 SAE standards shall be deemed to be in compliance
with the final logging standard. OSHA is revising the compliance directive to reflect
this.
In addition, EMI has agreed to use its best efforts to provide OSHA with a list of the
model numbers of the last logging machines manufactured on August 1, 1996. OSHA will use
this list to update its logging compliance directive as to which logging machines must
meet the 1988 SAE ROPS standard.
* * *
Back