1910.179(g)(1): Crane Electrical Equipment
Crane wiring and equipment must meet subpart S. Control circuit voltage may not exceed 600 volts, pendant push-button voltage may not exceed 150 volts a.c. or 300 volts d.c., suspended pushbutton stations must be supported to protect conductors from strain, and pendant control boxes must prevent shock and be clearly marked by function.
Key takeaways
- 1910.179(g)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 54 times in the last 3 years, in 53 inspections, with $122,866 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (6), VA (4), NC (4).
- Related part: 1910.179(g) Electric equipment (62 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.179(g)(1) ("General") is one requirement inside 1910.179 Overhead and gantry cranes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). It includes 5 sub-paragraphs. 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
(1) General. 54 citations
(i) Wiring and equipment shall comply with subpart S of this part. Open (g)(1)(i) 2 citations
(ii) The control circuit voltage shall not exceed 600 volts for a.c. or d.c. current.
(iii) The voltage at pendant push-buttons shall not exceed 150 volts for a.c. and 300 volts for d.c.
(iv) Where multiple conductor cable is used with a suspended pushbutton station, the station must be supported in some satisfactory manner that will protect the electrical conductors against strain. 4 citations
(v) Pendant control boxes shall be constructed to prevent electrical shock and shall be clearly marked for identification of functions. Open (g)(1)(v) 48 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.179.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.179(g)(1).
At 9:00 p.m. on December 8, 2023, an employee working as a laser machine operator for a sheet metal manufacturer was operating an Amada Model LC4020F1NT Carbon Dioxide Laser Cutter. The employee was operating the machine with the door open, which was accomplished using an…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2026 | 13 |
Top states: TX (6), VA (4), NC (4), AL (3), TN (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ACS MANUFACTURING, INC. | DENISON, TX | $17,679 |
| KAISER ALUMINUM WARRICK LLC | NEWBURGH, IN | $7,000 |
| R.C.M. INDUSTRIES, INC. DBA AALLIED DIE CASTING COMPANY OF ILLINOIS | FRANKLIN PARK, IL | $6,550 |
| SERPA FABRICATION, INC. | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | $6,452 |
| 155255 - KORDSA USA, INC. | LAUREL HILL, NC | $5,300 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.179(g)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Covering for Grounded Contact Conductors on Overhead Traveling Crane Systems (Patrick E. Wall/DEP/GIE/Harvey/26611) (2015-06-29)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.179(g) Electric equipment 62 citations
- 1910.179(g)(1)(v) 48 citations
- 1910.179(g)(2) Equipment 6 citations
- 1910.179(g)(2)(i) 3 citations
- 1910.179(g)(1)(i) 2 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
What is the voltage limit at pendant push-buttons?
No more than 150 volts for a.c. and 300 volts for d.c.
Must pendant controls be labeled?
Yes. Pendant control boxes must be clearly marked for identification of functions.
How must a hanging pushbutton station be supported?
In a satisfactory manner that protects the electrical conductors against strain.
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.