Common Misconceptions About OSHA 1910.66(f)(5)(v)(D): Intermittently Stabilized Platforms and Building Face Rollers in Amusement Parks

OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.66 sets strict standards for powered platforms used in building maintenance, like window washing on high-rises. Subsection (f)(5)(v)(D) zeroes in on intermittently stabilized platforms, mandating building face rollers that extend at least 4 inches above and below the platform frame, with a nominal 2-inch tread width, turning on steel axles in saddles or yokes. These rollers must handle platform loads without deforming. Simple specs, right? But in amusement parks, where thrill rides mimic some mechanics, confusion brews.

Does 1910.66 Even Apply to Amusement Rides?

No. That's misconception number one. 1910.66 targets exterior building maintenance platforms, not amusement devices. I've audited sites where safety managers wrongly slapped these roller rules on roller coaster tracks or drop towers, assuming any "platform against a face" counts. Amusement rides fall under state-specific regulations, often ASTM F24 standards like F1291 for impact attenuation or F2374 for design. OSHA's general duty clause (Section 5(a)(1)) might nudge inspections, but 1910.66? Not the playbook.

Picture this: A California park retrofitting a free-fall ride with "stabilizers." Engineers debated 4-inch roller extensions, citing 1910.66(f)(5)(v)(D). We clarified—rides aren't intermittently stabilized for building work. They use continuous tracks or guides. Misapplying this delayed the project and spiked costs.

Misconception: All Roller Systems Need 2-Inch Treads and Steel Axles

Another pitfall: Believing every ride wheel or guide roller must match the 2-inch tread and steel axle setup. In 1910.66, these prevent platform drift on building faces during intermittent stabilization—think bosun's chairs or scaffolds pausing at floors. Amusement coasters? Their flanged wheels or bogie systems prioritize speed and G-forces, not static load-bearing against glass or concrete.

• Reg reality: Rollers for building face contact, load-tested per 1910.66(f)(5)(i).
• Ride reality: Wheels engineered to ASTM F853 for roller coasters, focusing on derailment prevention.
• Gap: No federal OSHA spec mandates 1910.66-style rollers on rides; states like Florida or Ohio enforce their own via NAARSO or similar.

Overinterpreting leads to over-engineering. One Midwest park I consulted swapped functional polyurethane wheels for steel ones, chasing a phantom compliance. Result? Unnecessary wear and higher maintenance—exactly what the reg warns against with its "no deformation" clause.

Why the Mix-Up Happens—and How to Avoid It

Visual similarity fuels it. Drop towers with mast guides look like stabilized platforms. Intermittent stops on vertical rides echo the reg's stabilization pauses. Plus, OSHA's 1910.272 for grain handling or 1910.23 for ladders gets conflated in multi-use facilities. But context rules: 1910.66 preamble specifies "buildings," not attractions.

To sidestep errors, cross-reference the full standard on OSHA's site. For amusement parks, lean on ASTM International or the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). We once traced a citation back to a trainee misreading scopes—training fixed it.

Balance check: While 1910.66 doesn't bind rides, adopting its load principles voluntarily boosts safety. Research from NIOSH shows generic platform failures often stem from poor stabilization, applicable broadly. Individual setups vary; always engineer-to-engineer verify.

Key Takeaways for Compliance Pros

1. Scope first: Building maintenance only for 1910.66.
2. Don't retrofit ride rollers to reg specs—use ride standards.
3. Document decisions with reg cites and ASTM refs for audits.
4. Train on distinctions; misconceptions cost time and trust.

Steer clear of these traps, and your safety program rolls smoothly—no deforming axles required.