1910.179(b)(5): Crane Rated Load Marking
Employers must mark the rated load of an overhead or gantry crane plainly on each side of the crane. If the crane has more than one hoisting unit, each hoist must have its rated load marked on it or its load block, clearly legible from the ground or floor.
Key takeaways
- 1910.179(b)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 32 times in the last 3 years, in 32 inspections, with $104,539 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NJ (8), TX (3), OH (2).
- Related part: 1910.179(b) General requirements (57 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.179(b)(5) ("Rated load marking") is one requirement inside 1910.179 Overhead and gantry cranes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(5) Rated load marking. The rated load of the crane shall be plainly marked on each side of the crane, and if the crane has more than one hoisting unit, each hoist shall have its rated load marked on it or its load block and this marking shall be clearly legible from the ground or floor. 32 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.179.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: NJ (8), TX (3), OH (2), MD (2), CO (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ALAMO STRUCTURAL STEEL, LLC | VICTORIA, TX | $14,895 |
| MODERN MACHINE SHOP, INC. | LAREDO, TX | $9,847 |
| SCHUFF STEEL COMPANY | LYNCHBURG, VA | $7,865 |
| GUERDON, LLC | BOISE, ID | $7,449 |
| SPRUCE RUN RECREATION AREA | CLINTON, NJ | $7,000 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.179(b)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.179(b) General requirements 57 citations
- 1910.179(b)(8) Designated personnel 11 citations
- 1910.179(b)(6) Clearance from obstruction 9 citations
- 1910.179(b)(6)(i) 2 citations
- 1910.179(b)(2) New and existing equipment 2 citations
- 1910.179(b)(4) Wind indicators and rail clamps
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Frequently asked questions
Where must a crane's rated load be marked?
Plainly on each side of the crane.
What if there is more than one hoist?
Each hoist must have its rated load marked on it or its load block.
Must the marking be readable from the floor?
Yes. It must be clearly legible from the ground or floor.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.179 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-22
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.