230 CMR 6.00 — Operating Rules for Excavating Machinery
MA 2A Hoisting License · Module 1, Session 2
Statute vs. Regulation — How They Work Together
▼
Statute vs. Regulation — How They Work Together
MGL Chapter 146 vs. 230 CMR 6.00
▼
MGL Chapter 146 is a statute — enacted by the Massachusetts legislature. It establishes the fundamental requirement to hold a hoisting license and sets penalties for violations.
230 CMR 6.00 is a regulation — administrative rules issued by OPSI under the authority granted by MGL Chapter 146. It expands on the statute with specific technical requirements for equipment operation.
Hierarchy: When both apply, the statute (MGL) controls. Where MGL is silent, 230 CMR fills in the details. Both must be followed.
Exam tip: MGL sets the "what" (who needs a license, what the penalties are). 230 CMR sets the "how" (exactly how equipment must be operated, what inspections are required, what signals must be used).
Equipment Categories Under 230 CMR 6.00
▼
230 CMR 6.00 classifies hoisting machinery into categories that map to the license restriction classes:
Each group has specific operating rules. The 2A rules govern all Group 2A equipment regardless of machine size.
230 CMR 6.00 — Operating Rules for 2A Equipment
▼
230 CMR 6.00 — Operating Rules for 2A Equipment
Signaler Rule — Most Tested Topic
▼
Only the designated, approved signaler may direct the operator's movements.
This is the most commonly tested 230 CMR 6.00 rule on the MA hoisting exam. The rule is absolute — no exceptions.
What "approved signaler" means:
Who is NOT authorized to direct the operator:
When signaler is not visible: The operator must STOP ALL MOVEMENT immediately. Do not continue based on the last signal received.
Conflicting signals: If two people give conflicting direction signals simultaneously, the operator must STOP and wait for resolution. Exception: An Emergency STOP signal from any person overrides everything — respond immediately.
Swing Radius — Personnel Exclusion
▼
No persons may be within the full working radius of an excavator during any boom or bucket operation.
"Full working radius" means the complete arc through which the machine can swing, at the maximum reach of the boom and stick. This is larger than most people assume — on a mid-size excavator, the radius extends 20–30+ feet from the center of rotation.
Why this matters: An excavator swings the entire upper structure, including the counterweight. The rear counterweight sweeps an arc behind the machine that can strike workers who are not watching.
Practical application:
Trench Straddling — Prohibited
▼
Excavating machinery shall not straddle open trenches.
This prohibition is a 230 CMR 6.00 rule with no exceptions. "Straddling" means positioning the machine with one track on each side of an open trench.
Why it is prohibited:
Correct procedure: Position the machine with both tracks on the same side of the trench, at a safe distance from the edge (generally at least twice the trench depth).
Personnel on the Machine
▼
Authorized occupants during operation:
Prohibited:
Machine operation while personnel are working nearby: The licensed operator is responsible for verifying the swing radius and working area are clear before each movement. "I didn't see them" is not a defense to a 230 CMR violation.
Manufacturer Specifications
▼
230 CMR 6.00 requires operators to follow all manufacturer specifications and safety protocols for the specific equipment being operated.
This has practical implications for exam questions:
Exam scenario: An operator uses a heavier bucket than the machine's rated payload — this violates both 230 CMR 6.00 (manufacturer specs) and potentially OSHA 1926.602 (modification without approval).
SAE J1307 — Required Hand Signals
▼
SAE J1307 — Required Hand Signals
Standard Required by 230 CMR 6.00
▼
230 CMR 6.00 requires all excavating machinery operations to use hand signals conforming to SAE J1307 (most recent edition: 2023).
The full signal set is available in the Hand Signals Quick Reference page. Key signals for the 2A exam:
Stop: Arm extended horizontally, palm down, wave back and forth
Emergency Stop: Both arms crossed in front of chest — respond IMMEDIATELY
Raise Boom: Arm extended, thumb pointing up
Lower Boom: Arm extended, thumb pointing down
Swing: Arm extended, index finger pointing in direction of swing
Travel: Fists closed, rotate in direction of travel
Dog Everything / Hold: Hands clasped together in front of body
Critical rule: Only the designated signaler uses these signals to direct the machine. Other personnel may only give the Emergency Stop signal.
Signaler Positioning Requirements
▼
For hand signals to be effective, the signaler must be positioned correctly:
When the signaler moves: The operator must STOP until the signaler is repositioned and visible again. Do not follow signals given from a position where the signaler cannot be clearly seen.
Equipment Inspections Under 230 CMR 6.00
▼
Equipment Inspections Under 230 CMR 6.00
Annual and Periodic Inspection Requirements
▼
230 CMR 6.00 establishes inspection requirements for hoisting machinery that go beyond OSHA's daily inspection rule:
Periodic inspection: Required annually by a qualified inspector (typically every 12 months). Results must be documented and available for OPSI inspection.
Pre-operational inspection: Required before each shift — the OSHA-basis requirement for daily inspections (29 CFR 1926.600) is also consistent with 230 CMR 6.00 expectations.
Certificate of inspection: Some categories of hoisting equipment require an OPSI-issued certificate of inspection before they may be operated. Verify whether your specific equipment class requires this certificate.
Out-of-service defects: Equipment with defects that affect safe operation must be tagged out of service until repaired. The tag must be placed on the controls to prevent operation.