OSHA crane operation and work area control study guide
Section 1926.1417 of OSHA's construction crane and derrick standard (29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC) sets the rules for operating the equipment, and § 1926.1424 sets the rules for controlling the work area around it. This guide sets out what the federal rule text states on manufacturer procedures and keeping them in the cab, operator attention and leaving the controls with a suspended load, tag-out and start-up, reporting repairs, weather, rated capacity and load weight, traveling with a load and other movement rules, and swing radius hazards and coordinating more than one crane, with definitions from § 1926.1401 where they are used. Many duties fall on a named person (the employer, the operator, the competent person, a qualified person, a registered professional engineer or the controlling entity) or carry "except" conditions, so keep those in mind. goraedu does not certify crane operators and these pages are not a certification exam. 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.
Manufacturer procedures and their availability
The employer must comply with all manufacturer procedures that apply to the operational functions of the equipment, including its use with attachments.
“The employer must comply with all manufacturer procedures applicable to the operational functions of equipment, including its use with attachments.”
Where the manufacturer procedures are unavailable, the employer must develop, and ensure compliance with, all procedures necessary for safe operation of the equipment and attachments. Procedures for the operational controls must be developed by a qualified person, and procedures related to the capacity of the equipment must be developed and signed by a registered professional engineer familiar with the equipment.
“Where the manufacturer procedures are unavailable, the employer must develop and ensure compliance with all procedures necessary for the safe operation of the equipment and attachments. (2) Procedures for the operational controls must be developed by a qualified person. (3) Procedures related to the capacity of the equipment must be developed and signed by a registered professional engineer familiar with the equipment.”
A qualified person is a person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or by extensive knowledge, training and experience, successfully demonstrated the ability to solve/resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.
“Qualified person means a person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training and experience, successfully demonstrated the ability to solve/resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.”
The operating procedures, including rated capacities (load charts), recommended operating speeds, special hazard warnings, instructions and the operator's manual, must be readily available in the cab at all times for the operator.
“The procedures applicable to the operation of the equipment, including rated capacities (load charts), recommended operating speeds, special hazard warnings, instructions, and operator's manual, must be readily available in the cab at all times for use by the operator.”
Where rated capacities are in the cab only in electronic form and a failure makes them inaccessible, the operator must immediately cease operations or follow safe shut-down procedures until the rated capacities are available again (in electronic or other form).
“Where rated capacities are available in the cab only in electronic form: In the event of a failure which makes the rated capacities inaccessible, the operator must immediately cease operations or follow safe shut-down procedures until the rated capacities (in electronic or other form) are available.”
Not covered here
The manufacturer procedures themselves are not set out here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Operator attention and leaving the controls
While actually operating the equipment, the operator must not engage in any practice or activity that diverts his or her attention, such as using a cellular phone other than for signal communications.
“The operator must not engage in any practice or activity that diverts his/her attention while actually engaged in operating the equipment, such as the use of cellular phones (other than when used for signal communications).”
The operator must not leave the controls while the load is suspended, except where all of the listed conditions are met; the first is that the operator remains adjacent to the equipment and is not engaged in any other duties.
“The operator must not leave the controls while the load is suspended, except where all of the following are met: (i) The operator remains adjacent to the equipment and is not engaged in any other duties.”
Another of those conditions is that the load is to be held suspended for a period of time exceeding normal lifting operations.
“The load is to be held suspended for a period of time exceeding normal lifting operations.”
Another condition is that the competent person determines that it is safe to do so and implements measures necessary to restrain the boom hoist and telescoping, load, swing, and outrigger or stabilizer functions.
“The competent person determines that it is safe to do so and implements measures necessary to restrain the boom hoist and telescoping, load, swing, and outrigger or stabilizer functions.”
A competent person is one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
“Competent person means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.”
The last condition is that barricades or caution lines, and notices, are erected to keep all employees out of the fall zone; no employees, including those listed in the cross-referenced paragraphs of § 1926.1425, are permitted in the fall zone.
“Barricades or caution lines, and notices, are erected to prevent all employees from entering the fall zone. No employees, including those listed in §§ 1926.1425(b)(1) through (3), § 1926.1425(d) or § 1926.1425(e), are permitted in the fall zone.”
The fall zone is the area (including but not limited to the area directly beneath the load) in which it is reasonably foreseeable that partially or completely suspended materials could fall in an accident.
“Fall zone means the area (including but not limited to the area directly beneath the load) in which it is reasonably foreseeable that partially or completely suspended materials could fall in the event of an accident.”
The rule on leaving the controls does not apply to working gear (such as slings, spreader bars, ladders and welding machines) where its weight is negligible relative to the lifting capacity of the equipment as positioned and it is suspended over an area other than an entrance or exit.
“The provisions in § 1926.1417(e)(1) do not apply to working gear (such as slings, spreader bars, ladders, and welding machines) where the weight of the working gear is negligible relative to the lifting capacity of the equipment as positioned, and the working gear is suspended over an area other than an entrance or exit.”
Not covered here
The employees listed in § 1926.1425(b)(1) through (3), (d) and (e) are named in 1926.1417(e)(1)(iv) but that section is not covered here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Tag-out, start-up and repairs
Where the employer has taken the equipment out of service, a tag must be placed in the cab stating that the equipment is out of service and is not to be used.
“Where the employer has taken the equipment out of service, a tag must be placed in the cab stating that the equipment is out of service and is not to be used.”
Where the employer has taken a function out of service, a tag must be placed in a conspicuous position stating that the function is out of service and is not to be used.
“Where the employer has taken a function(s) out of service, a tag must be placed in a conspicuous position stating that the function is out of service and is not to be used.”
If a warning (tag-out or maintenance/do not operate) sign is on the equipment or starting control, the operator must not activate the switch or start the equipment until the sign has been removed by a person authorized to remove it, or until the operator has verified the listed conditions.
“If there is a warning (tag-out or maintenance/do not operate) sign on the equipment or starting control, the operator must not activate the switch or start the equipment until the sign has been removed by a person authorized to remove it, or until the operator has verified that:”
The conditions the operator must verify are that no one is servicing, working on, or otherwise in a dangerous position on the machine, and that the equipment has been repaired and is working properly.
“(A) No one is servicing, working on, or otherwise in a dangerous position on the machine. (B) The equipment has been repaired and is working properly.”
Before starting the engine, the operator must verify that all controls are in the proper starting position and that all personnel are in the clear.
“Before starting the engine, the operator must verify that all controls are in the proper starting position and that all personnel are in the clear.”
If equipment adjustments or repairs are necessary, the operator must promptly inform, in writing, the person the employer designated to receive such information and, where there are successive shifts, the next operator.
“If equipment adjustments or repairs are necessary: (1) The operator must, in writing, promptly inform the person designated by the employer to receive such information and, where there are successive shifts, to the next operator; and”
The employer must notify all affected employees, at the beginning of each shift, of the necessary adjustments or repairs and all alternative measures.
“The employer must notify all affected employees, at the beginning of each shift, of the necessary adjustments or repairs and all alternative measures.”
Weather, safety devices and wire rope
When a local storm warning has been issued, the competent person must determine whether it is necessary to implement manufacturer recommendations for securing the equipment.
“When a local storm warning has been issued, the competent person must determine whether it is necessary to implement manufacturer recommendations for securing the equipment.”
The competent person must adjust the equipment and/or operations to address the effect of wind, ice and snow on equipment stability and rated capacity.
“The competent person must adjust the equipment and/or operations to address the effect of wind, ice, and snow on equipment stability and rated capacity.”
Safety devices and operational aids must not be used as a substitute for the operator's exercise of professional judgment.
“Safety devices and operational aids must not be used as a substitute for the exercise of professional judgment by the operator.”
If the competent person determines there is a slack rope condition requiring re-spooling, it must be verified before starting to lift that the rope is seated on the drum and in the sheaves as the slack is removed.
“If the competent person determines that there is a slack rope condition requiring re-spooling of the rope, it must be verified (before starting to lift) that the rope is seated on the drum and in the sheaves as the slack is removed.”
The load and the boom must not be lowered below the point where less than two full wraps of rope remain on their respective drums.
“Neither the load nor the boom must be lowered below the point where less than two full wraps of rope remain on their respective drums.”
Rated capacity, load weight, brakes and counterweight
The equipment must not be operated in excess of its rated capacity, and the operator must not be required to operate it in a way that would do so.
“The equipment must not be operated in excess of its rated capacity. (2) The operator must not be required to operate the equipment in a manner that would violate paragraph (o)(1) of this section.”
Rated capacity is the maximum working load permitted by the manufacturer under specified working conditions, which typically combine factors such as configuration, radii and boom length.
“Rated capacity means the maximum working load permitted by the manufacturer under specified working conditions. Such working conditions typically include a specific combination of factors such as equipment configuration, radii, boom length, and other parameters of use.”
The operator must verify that the load is within the rated capacity of the equipment by at least one of the two methods listed in 1926.1417(o)(3).
“The operator must verify that the load is within the rated capacity of the equipment by at least one of the following methods:”
One of the methods: the load weight is determined from a source recognized by the industry (such as the load's manufacturer), by an industry-recognized calculation method, or by other equally reliable means; when the operator requests it, this information must be provided to the operator before the lift.
“The weight of the load must be determined from a source recognized by the industry (such as the load's manufacturer), or by a calculation method recognized by the industry (such as calculating a steel beam from measured dimensions and a known per foot weight), or by other equally reliable means. In addition, when requested by the operator, this information must be provided to the operator prior to the lift; or”
The other method: the operator begins hoisting and uses a load weighing device, load moment indicator, rated capacity indicator or rated capacity limiter to find whether the load exceeds 75 percent of the maximum rated capacity at the longest radius that will be used; if it does, the operator must not proceed until the weight is verified by the first method.
“The operator must begin hoisting the load to determine, using a load weighing device, load moment indicator, rated capacity indicator, or rated capacity limiter, if it exceeds 75 percent of the maximum rated capacity at the longest radius that will be used during the lift operation. If it does, the operator must not proceed with the lift until he/she verifies the weight of the load in accordance with paragraph (o)(3)(i) of this section.”
The operator must test the brakes each time a load that is 90% or more of the maximum line pull is handled, by lifting the load a few inches and applying the brakes; in duty cycle and repetitive lifts where each lift is 90% or more, this applies to the first lift but not to successive lifts.
“The operator must test the brakes each time a load that is 90% or more of the maximum line pull is handled by lifting the load a few inches and applying the brakes. In duty cycle and repetitive lifts where each lift is 90% or more of the maximum line pull, this requirement applies to the first lift but not to successive lifts.”
The brakes must be adjusted in accordance with manufacturer procedures to prevent unintended movement.
“The brakes must be adjusted in accordance with manufacturer procedures to prevent unintended movement.”
For equipment other than tower cranes, the equipment must not be operated without the counterweight or ballast in place as specified by the manufacturer, and the manufacturer's maximum counterweight or ballast must not be exceeded. Counterweight/ballast requirements for tower cranes are specified in § 1926.1435(b)(8).
“The following applies to equipment other than tower cranes: (i) Equipment must not be operated without the counterweight or ballast in place as specified by the manufacturer. (ii) The maximum counterweight or ballast specified by the manufacturer for the equipment must not be exceeded. (2) Counterweight/ballast requirements for tower cranes are specified in § 1926.1435(b)(8).”
Not covered here
The tower crane counterweight/ballast requirements in § 1926.1435(b)(8) are not set out here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Moving the equipment and the load
The boom or other parts of the equipment must not contact any obstruction.
“The boom or other parts of the equipment must not contact any obstruction.”
The equipment must not be used to drag or pull loads sideways.
“The equipment must not be used to drag or pull loads sideways.”
On wheel-mounted equipment, loads must not be lifted over the front area, except as permitted by the manufacturer.
“On wheel-mounted equipment, no loads must be lifted over the front area, except as permitted by the manufacturer.”
Traveling with a load is prohibited if the manufacturer prohibits the practice.
“Traveling with a load is prohibited if the practice is prohibited by the manufacturer.”
Where traveling with a load, the employer must ensure that a competent person supervises the operation, determines whether it is necessary to reduce rated capacity, and makes determinations on load position, boom location, ground support, travel route, overhead obstructions and speed of movement necessary to ensure safety, and that those determinations are implemented.
“Where traveling with a load, the employer must ensure that: (i) A competent person supervises the operation, determines if it is necessary to reduce rated capacity, and makes determinations regarding load position, boom location, ground support, travel route, overhead obstructions, and speed of movement necessary to ensure safety. (ii) The determinations of the competent person required in paragraph (u)(2)(i) of this section are implemented.”
Where traveling with a load, the employer must also ensure that, for equipment with tires, the tire pressure specified by the manufacturer is maintained.
“For equipment with tires, tire pressure specified by the manufacturer is maintained.”
Rotational speed must be such that the load does not swing out beyond the radius at which it can be controlled.
“Rotational speed of the equipment must be such that the load does not swing out beyond the radius at which it can be controlled.”
A tag or restraint line must be used if necessary to prevent hazardous rotation of the load.
“A tag or restraint line must be used if necessary to prevent rotation of the load that would be hazardous.”
The operator must obey a stop (or emergency stop) signal, irrespective of who gives it.
“The operator must obey a stop (or emergency stop) signal, irrespective of who gives it.”
A locomotive crane must not be swung into a position where railway cars on an adjacent track could strike it, until it is determined that cars are not being moved on that track and proper flag protection has been established.
“A locomotive crane must not be swung into a position where railway cars on an adjacent track could strike it, until it is determined that cars are not being moved on the adjacent track and that proper flag protection has been established.”
A locomotive crane is a crane mounted on a base or car equipped for travel on a railroad track.
“Locomotive crane means a crane mounted on a base or car equipped for travel on a railroad track.”
Swing radius hazards and multiple equipment
The requirements in 1926.1424(a)(2) apply where there are accessible areas in which the equipment's rotating superstructure (whether permanently or temporarily mounted) poses a reasonably foreseeable risk of striking and injuring an employee, or of pinching/crushing an employee against another part of the equipment or another object.
“The requirements in paragraph (a)(2) of this section apply where there are accessible areas in which the equipment's rotating superstructure (whether permanently or temporarily mounted) poses a reasonably foreseeable risk of: (i) Striking and injuring an employee; or (ii) Pinching/crushing an employee against another part of the equipment or another object.”
To keep employees out of these hazard areas, the employer must train each employee assigned to work on or near the equipment ("authorized personnel") to recognize the struck-by and pinch/crush hazard areas posed by the rotating superstructure.
“To prevent employees from entering these hazard areas, the employer must: (i) Train each employee assigned to work on or near the equipment ("authorized personnel") in how to recognize struck-by and pinch/crush hazard areas posed by the rotating superstructure.”
The employer must also erect and maintain control lines, warning lines, railings or similar barriers to mark the boundaries of the hazard areas.
“Erect and maintain control lines, warning lines, railings or similar barriers to mark the boundaries of the hazard areas.”
Exception: when the employer can demonstrate that it is feasible to erect such barriers neither on the ground nor on the equipment, the hazard areas must be clearly marked by a combination of warning signs and high visibility markings on the equipment, and the employer must train each employee to understand what the markings signify.
“Exception: When the employer can demonstrate that it is neither feasible to erect such barriers on the ground nor on the equipment, the hazard areas must be clearly marked by a combination of warning signs (such as "Danger-Swing/Crush Zone") and high visibility markings on the equipment that identify the hazard areas. In addition, the employer must train each employee to understand what these markings signify.”
Before an employee goes to a location in the hazard area that is out of the operator's view, the employee (or someone the employee instructs) must ensure the operator is informed.
“Before an employee goes to a location in the hazard area that is out of view of the operator, the employee (or someone instructed by the employee) must ensure that the operator is informed that he/she is going to that location.”
Where the operator knows that an employee went to a location covered by 1926.1424(a)(1), the operator must not rotate the superstructure until informed, in accordance with a pre-arranged system of communication, that the employee is in a safe position.
“Where the operator knows that an employee went to a location covered by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the operator must not rotate the superstructure until the operator is informed in accordance with a pre-arranged system of communication that the employee is in a safe position.”
Where any part of a crane/derrick is within the working radius of another crane/derrick, the controlling entity must institute a system to coordinate operations; if there is no controlling entity, the employer (if only one employer operates the multiple pieces of equipment) or employers must institute it.
“Where any part of a crane/derrick is within the working radius of another crane/derrick, the controlling entity must institute a system to coordinate operations. If there is no controlling entity, the employer (if there is only one employer operating the multiple pieces of equipment), or employers, must institute such a system.”
A controlling entity is an employer that is a prime contractor, general contractor, construction manager or any other legal entity which has the overall responsibility for the construction of the project (its planning, quality and completion).
“Controlling entity means an employer that is a prime contractor, general contractor, construction manager or any other legal entity which has the overall responsibility for the construction of the project—its planning, quality and completion.”
Sources
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1417, Operation (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1401, Definitions (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1424, Work area control (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
Other OSHA crane operator study guides: Power line safety, Inspections, Signals, Signal person qualifications, Operator training, certification and evaluation, Hoisting personnel