OSHA crane hoisting personnel study guide
Section 1926.1431 of OSHA's construction crane and derrick standard (29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart CC) sets the requirements that apply when one or more employees are hoisted. This guide sets out what the rule text states on when using equipment to hoist employees is permitted and its exceptions, equipment set-up, capacity and required devices, personnel platform design and loading, attachment and rigging, the trial lift, inspections and proof testing, work practices and the pre-lift meeting, and the separate rules for drill shafts, pile driving, marine transfer and storage-tank, shaft and chimney operations. Many duties fall on a named person (the employer, the operator, a competent person or a qualified person) and carry "except" or "unless" conditions. Your State may run its own OSHA-approved plan with its own rules, so check them too. Every point links to the regulation and quotes its exact words.
When hoisting personnel is permitted
The section's requirements supplement the other requirements of the subpart and apply when one or more employees are hoisted.
“The requirements of this section are supplemental to the other requirements in this subpart and apply when one or more employees are hoisted.”
Using equipment to hoist employees is prohibited unless the employer demonstrates that putting up, using and taking down conventional means of reaching the work area (such as a personnel hoist, ladder, stairway, aerial lift, elevating work platform or scaffold) would be more hazardous, or is not possible because of the project's structural design or worksite conditions.
“The use of equipment to hoist employees is prohibited except where the employer demonstrates that the erection, use, and dismantling of conventional means of reaching the work area, such as a personnel hoist, ladder, stairway, aerial lift, elevating work platform, or scaffold, would be more hazardous, or is not possible because of the project's structural design or worksite conditions.”
That restriction does not apply to work covered by subpart R (Steel Erection), or to routine personnel access to an underground worksite via shaft as covered by § 1926.800.
“This paragraph does not apply to work covered by subpart R (Steel Erection) of this part and also does not apply to routine personnel access to an underground worksite via shaft as covered by § 1926.800 (Underground Construction) of this part.”
When equipment is used to hoist employees, they must be in a personnel platform that meets paragraph (e).
“When using equipment to hoist employees, the employees must be in a personnel platform that meets the requirements of paragraph (e) of this section.”
One of the listed exceptions: a personnel platform is not required for hoisting employees into and out of drill shafts up to and including 8 feet in diameter (paragraph (o) sets their requirements).
“Exceptions: A personnel platform is not required for hoisting employees: (i) Into and out of drill shafts that are up to and including 8 feet in diameter (see paragraph (o) of this section for requirements for hoisting these employees).”
Hoisting personnel within 20 feet of a power line up to 350 kV, or within 50 feet of a power line over 350 kV, is prohibited, except for work covered by subpart V (Power Transmission and Distribution).
“Hoisting personnel within 20 feet of a power line that is up to 350 kV, and hoisting personnel within 50 feet of a power line that is over 350 kV, is prohibited, except for work covered by subpart V of this part (Power Transmission and Distribution).”
Not covered here
The content of subpart R, subpart V and § 1926.800 is not set out here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Equipment set-up, capacity and devices
The equipment must be uniformly level, within one percent of level grade, on footing that a qualified person has determined to be sufficiently firm and stable.
“The equipment must be uniformly level, within one percent of level grade, and located on footing that a qualified person has determined to be sufficiently firm and stable.”
Equipment with outriggers or stabilizers must have them all extended and locked, with the same extension for all of them and in accordance with manufacturer procedures and load charts.
“Equipment with outriggers or stabilizers must have them all extended and locked. The amount of extension must be the same for all outriggers and stabilizers and in accordance with manufacturer procedures and load charts.”
For suspended personnel platforms, the total load (the loaded platform plus hook, load line and rigging) must not exceed 50 percent of the rated capacity for the radius and configuration, except during proof testing.
“Capacity: Use of suspended personnel platforms. The total load (with the platform loaded, including the hook, load line and rigging) must not exceed 50 percent of the rated capacity for the radius and configuration of the equipment, except during proof testing.”
When personnel are hoisted without a platform under the (b)(2) exceptions, the total load (including the hook, load line, rigging and any other equipment that imposes a load) must not exceed 50 percent of the rated capacity for the radius and configuration, except during proof testing.
“When hoisting personnel without a personnel platform pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the total load (including the hook, load line, rigging and any other equipment that imposes a load) must not exceed 50 percent of the rated capacity for the radius and configuration of the equipment, except during proof testing.”
Articulating cranes must have a properly functioning automatic overload protection device.
“Articulating cranes must be equipped with a properly functioning automatic overload protection device.”
The anti two-block device that (d)(5)(v) requires is not required when hoisting personnel in pile driving operations; paragraph (p)(2) says how to prevent two-blocking instead.
“Anti two-block. A device which automatically prevents damage and load failure from contact between the load block, overhaul ball, or similar component, and the boom tip (or fixed upper block or similar component) must be used. The device(s) must prevent such damage/failure at all points where two-blocking could occur. Exception: This device is not required when hoisting personnel in pile driving operations. Instead, paragraph (p)(2) of this section specifies how to prevent two-blocking during such operations.”
Personnel hoisting must not begin unless the required devices work properly; if one stops working, the operator must safely stop operations, and alternative measures are not permitted.
“Personnel hoisting operations must not begin unless the devices listed in this section are in proper working order. If a device stops working properly during such operations, the operator must safely stop operations. Personnel hoisting operations must not resume until the device is again working properly. Alternative measures are not permitted.”
Direct attachment of a personnel platform to a luffing jib is prohibited.
“Direct attachment of a personnel platform to a luffing jib is prohibited.”
The definition of controlled load lowering says it requires the use of the hoist drive motor, rather than the load hoist brake, to lower the load.
“Controlled load lowering requires the use of the hoist drive motor, rather than the load hoist brake, to lower the load.”
Not covered here
The manufacturer procedures and load charts referred to in (c)(2), and the note to (d)(5)(vi), are not set out here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Personnel platform design and loading
A qualified person familiar with structural design must design the platform and its attachment/suspension system.
“A qualified person familiar with structural design must design the personnel platform and attachment/suspension system used for hoisting personnel.”
The connecting system must let the platform stay within 10 degrees of level, regardless of boom angle.
“The system used to connect the personnel platform to the equipment must allow the platform to remain within 10 degrees of level, regardless of boom angle.”
The platform itself (excluding the guardrail system and fall arrest anchorages) must support, without failure, its own weight and at least five times the maximum intended load.
“The personnel platform itself (excluding the guardrail system and personal fall arrest system anchorages), must be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least five times the maximum intended load.”
If access gates/doors are installed, of any type, they must not swing outward, unless the platform's size (such as a 1-person platform) makes an inward-swinging door infeasible for safe entry by the occupant.
“Access gates/doors. If installed, access gates/doors of all types (including swinging, sliding, folding, or other types) must: (i) Not swing outward. If due to the size of the personnel platform, such as a 1-person platform, it is infeasible for the door to swing inward and allow safe entry for the platform occupant, then the access gate/door may swing outward.”
In addition to hard hats, overhead protection is required on the platform when employees are exposed to falling objects.
“In addition to the use of hard hats, employees must be protected by overhead protection on the personnel platform when employees are exposed to falling objects.”
The platform's weight and rated capacity must be conspicuously posted on it with a plate or other permanent marking.
“The weight of the platform and its rated capacity must be conspicuously posted on the platform with a plate or other permanent marking.”
Platforms are only for employees, their tools and the materials needed for their work, and must not hoist materials or tools when not hoisting personnel; as an exception, materials and tools to be used during the lift may be in the platform for trial lifts if secured and distributed as paragraph (f)(3) requires.
“Personnel platforms must be used only for employees, their tools, and the materials necessary to do their work. Platforms must not be used to hoist materials or tools when not hoisting personnel. (ii) Exception: Materials and tools to be used during the lift, if secured and distributed in accordance with paragraph (f)(3) of this section may be in the platform for trial lifts.”
The number of occupants must not exceed the platform's design maximum or the number required to do the work, whichever is less.
“The number of employees occupying the personnel platform must not exceed the maximum number the platform was designed to hold or the number required to perform the work, whichever is less.”
Not covered here
Paragraphs (e)(3), (e)(5) to (e)(7), (e)(8)(ii), (e)(9) and (e)(11) are not set out here; read them in the rule. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Attachment and rigging
Hooks in the connection between the hoist line and the platform must be of a type that can be closed and locked, eliminating the throat opening.
“Hooks used in the connection between the hoist line and the personnel platform (including hooks on overhaul ball assemblies, lower load blocks, bridle legs, or other attachment assemblies or components) must be: (A) Of a type that can be closed and locked, eliminating the throat opening.”
Shackles used in place of hooks must be of the alloy anchor type, with one of two options: a bolt, nut and retaining pin in place, or the screw type with the screw pin secured from accidental removal.
“Shackles used in place of hooks must be of the alloy anchor type, with either: (A) A bolt, nut and retaining pin, in place; or (B) Of the screw type, with the screw pin secured from accidental removal.”
With a rope bridle, each leg must connect to a master link or shackle so the load is evenly divided among the legs.
“When a rope bridle is used to suspend the personnel platform, each bridle leg must be connected to a master link or shackle (see paragraph (g)(1) of this section) in a manner that ensures that the load is evenly divided among the bridle legs.”
Rigging hardware and hooks must support at least five times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to that component; with rotation resistant rope, slings must support at least ten times.
“Rigging hardware (including wire rope, shackles, rings, master links, and other rigging hardware) and hooks must be capable of supporting, without failure, at least five times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to that component. Where rotation resistant rope is used, the slings must be capable of supporting without failure at least ten times the maximum intended load.”
Bridles and associated rigging for suspending the platform may be used only for the platform and the employees, tools and materials needed for the work, and must not have been used for any purpose other than hoisting personnel.
“Bridles and associated rigging for suspending the personnel platform must be used only for the platform and the necessary employees, their tools and materials necessary to do their work. The bridles and associated rigging must not have been used for any purpose other than hoisting personnel.”
Trial lift, inspection and proof testing
A trial lift with the unoccupied platform loaded at least to the anticipated liftweight must be made from ground level, or wherever employees will enter the platform, to each location where it will be hoisted and positioned.
“A trial lift with the unoccupied personnel platform loaded at least to the anticipated liftweight must be made from ground level, or any other location where employees will enter the platform, to each location at which the platform is to be hoisted and positioned.”
The trial lift must be performed immediately before each shift in which personnel will be hoisted.
“The trial lift must be performed immediately prior to each shift in which personnel will be hoisted.”
The trial lift must also be repeated before hoisting employees when the equipment is moved and set up in a new location or returned to a previously used location, or when the lift route is changed, unless the competent person determines the new route presents no new factors affecting safety.
“In addition, the trial lift must be repeated prior to hoisting employees in each of the following circumstances: (i) The equipment is moved and set up in a new location or returned to a previously used location. (ii) The lift route is changed, unless the competent person determines that the new route presents no new factors affecting safety.”
Immediately after the trial lift, the competent person must visually inspect the equipment, base support or ground, and platform to see whether the trial lift exposed any defect or problem or produced any adverse effect.
“Immediately after the trial lift, the competent person must: (i) Conduct a visual inspection of the equipment, base support or ground, and personnel platform, to determine whether the trial lift has exposed any defect or problem or produced any adverse effect.”
Immediately before each lift, the platform must be hoisted a few inches with personnel and materials/tools aboard and inspected by a competent person to ensure it is secure and properly balanced.
“Immediately prior to each lift: (i) The platform must be hoisted a few inches with the personnel and materials/tools on board and inspected by a competent person to ensure that it is secure and properly balanced.”
Any condition found during the trial lift and inspections that fails a requirement or creates a hazard must be corrected before hoisting personnel.
“Any condition found during the trial lift and subsequent inspection(s) that fails to meet a requirement of this standard or otherwise creates a safety hazard must be corrected before hoisting personnel.”
At each jobsite, before hoisting employees on the platform and after any repair or modification, the platform and rigging must be proof tested to 125 percent of the platform's rated capacity; the proof test may be done with the trial lift.
“At each jobsite, prior to hoisting employees on the personnel platform, and after any repair or modification, the platform and rigging must be proof tested to 125 percent of the platform's rated capacity. The proof test may be done concurrently with the trial lift.”
During the proof test the platform must be lowered by controlled load lowering, braked, and held suspended for a minimum of five minutes with the test load evenly distributed on the platform.
“The platform must be lowered by controlled load lowering, braked, and held in a suspended position for a minimum of five minutes with the test load evenly distributed on the platform.”
Personnel hoisting must not be conducted until the competent person determines the platform and rigging have passed the proof test.
“Personnel hoisting must not be conducted until the competent person determines that the platform and rigging have successfully passed the proof test.”
Not covered here
The competent person's other determinations in (h)(3) and (h)(5)(ii), which point to sections we do not hold, are not set out here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Work practices and pre-lift meeting
Before employees exit or enter a hoisted platform that is not landed, it must be secured to the structure, unless the employer can demonstrate that securing it would create a greater hazard.
“Before employees exit or enter a hoisted personnel platform that is not landed, the platform must be secured to the structure where the work is to be performed, unless the employer can demonstrate that securing to the structure would create a greater hazard.”
For platforms without controls, the equipment operator must remain at the controls, on site and in view of the equipment, at all times while the platform is occupied.
“Where the platform is not equipped with controls, the equipment operator must remain at the equipment controls, on site, and in view of the equipment, at all times while the platform is occupied.”
When wind (sustained or gusts) exceeds 20 mph at the platform, a qualified person must determine if, in light of the wind conditions, it is not safe to lift personnel.
“When wind speed (sustained or gusts) exceeds 20 mph at the personnel platform, a qualified person must determine if, in light of the wind conditions, it is not safe to lift personnel.”
Employees being hoisted must stay in direct communication with the signal person (where used) or the operator.
“Employees being hoisted must remain in direct communication with the signal person (where used), or the operator.”
Except over water, platform occupants must be provided and use a personal fall arrest system attached to a structural member within the platform; over or near water, § 1926.106 applies.
“Except over water, employees occupying the personnel platform must be provided and use a personal fall arrest system. The system must be attached to a structural member within the personnel platform. When working over or near water, the requirements of § 1926.106 apply.”
No lifts may be made on the equipment's other load lines while personnel are hoisted, except in pile driving operations.
“No lifts must be made on any other of the equipment's load lines while personnel are being hoisted, except in pile driving operations.”
For equipment other than derricks, hoisting employees while the equipment is traveling is prohibited, except in the cases the rule then lists.
“Traveling—equipment other than derricks. (i) Hoisting of employees while the equipment is traveling is prohibited, except for:”
A pre-lift meeting must be held to review the applicable requirements of the section and the procedures that will be followed; it must be attended by the operator, the signal person (if used for the lift), the employees to be hoisted and the person responsible for the task, and held before the trial lift at each new work location, with a repeat for employees newly assigned to the operation.
“Pre-lift meeting. A pre-lift meeting must be: (1) Held to review the applicable requirements of this section and the procedures that will be followed. (2) Attended by the equipment operator, signal person (if used for the lift), employees to be hoisted, and the person responsible for the task to be performed. (3) Held prior to the trial lift at each new work location, and must be repeated for any employees newly assigned to the operation.”
Not covered here
The requirements of § 1926.106 referred to in (k)(10)(i) are not set out here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Drill shafts, pile driving, marine and tank operations
In drill shafts up to and including 8 feet in diameter, the employee must be in one of the options: a personnel platform or a boatswain's chair.
“When hoisting employees into and out of drill shafts that are up to and including 8 feet in diameter, all of the following requirements must be met: (1) The employee must be in either a personnel platform or on a boatswain's chair.”
Paragraph (o)(3)(ii) states that a signal person must be stationed at the shaft opening.
“A signal person must be stationed at the shaft opening.”
Definition: a boatswain's chair is a single-point adjustable suspension scaffold with a seat or sling designed to support one employee in a sitting position.
“Boatswain's chair means a single-point adjustable suspension scaffold consisting of a seat or sling (which may be incorporated into a full body harness) designed to support one employee in a sitting position.”
Paragraph (p)(4)(iii) states that the employee must use personal fall protection equipment, including a full body harness, independently attached to the lower load block or overhaul ball.
“The employee must use personal fall protection equipment, including a full body harness, independently attached to the lower load block or overhaul ball.”
When an employee is hoisted in pile driving operations, the employee must be in a personnel platform or boatswain's chair, and for lattice boom cranes there are two options to prevent two-blocking: clearly mark the cable at a point that gives the operator sufficient time to stop the hoist, or use a spotter in direct communication with the operator to say when this point is reached.
“When hoisting an employee in pile driving operations, the following requirements must be met: (1) The employee must be in a personnel platform or boatswain's chair. (2) For lattice boom cranes: Clearly mark the cable (so that it can easily be seen by the operator) at a point that will give the operator sufficient time to stop the hoist to prevent two-blocking, or use a spotter who is in direct communication with the operator to inform the operator when this point is reached.”
Paragraph (r)(3)(iv) states that each employee must wear a U.S. Coast Guard personal flotation device approved for industrial use.
“Each employee must wear a U.S. Coast Guard personal flotation device approved for industrial use.”
Definition: a marine-hoisted personnel transfer device, such as a transfer net, is designed to protect employees hoisted during a marine transfer and to allow rapid entry and exit.
“Marine hoisted personnel transfer device means a device, such as a “transfer net,” that is designed to protect the employees being hoisted during a marine transfer and to facilitate rapid entry into and exit from the device.”
When an employee is hoisted in storage tank (steel or concrete), shaft and chimney operations, the employee must be in a personnel platform unless the employer can demonstrate that using one is infeasible; in that case a boatswain's chair must be used.
“When hoisting an employee in storage tank (steel or concrete), shaft and chimney operations, the following requirements must be met: (1) The employee must be in a personnel platform except when the employer can demonstrate that use of a personnel platform is infeasible; in such a case, a boatswain's chair must be used.”
Paragraph (s)(3)(iii) states that the employee must use personal fall protection equipment, including a full body harness, attached independent of the crane/derrick; when there is no adequate structure for attaching personal fall arrest equipment as § 1926.502(d)(15) requires, the attachment must be to the lower load block or overhaul ball.
“The employee must use personal fall protection equipment, including a full body harness, attached independent of the crane/derrick. When there is no adequate structure for attachment of personal fall arrest equipment as required in § 1926.502(d)(15), the attachment must be to the lower load block or overhaul ball.”
Not covered here
The full lists of paragraphs that apply to boatswain's chairs and transfer devices in (o)(3)(i), (p)(4)(i), (r)(3)(i) and (s)(3)(i), the content of § 1926.502, and the other items in (o)(3), (p)(4), (r)(3) and (s)(3) are not set out here; read them in the rule. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Sources
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1401, Definitions (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
Other OSHA crane operator study guides: Power line safety, Inspections, Operation and work area control, Signals, Signal person qualifications, Operator training, certification and evaluation