1910.179(h)(4): Crane Hooks
Employers must make sure overhead and gantry crane hooks meet the manufacturer's recommendations and are not overloaded.
Key takeaways
- 1910.179(h)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 19 times in the last 3 years, in 19 inspections, with $62,689 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TX (4), MT (4), NJ (3).
- Related part: 1910.179(h) Hoisting equipment (20 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.179(h)(4) ("Hooks") 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
(4) Hooks. Hooks shall meet the manufacturer's recommendations and shall not be overloaded. 19 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.179.
Export the list: 19 inspections cited 1910.179(h)(4) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: TX (4), MT (4), NJ (3), NY (2), PA (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HALE PRODUCTS, INC. | OCALA, FL | $8,341 |
| BUTTURA & SONS, INC. | BARRE, VT | $8,109 |
| HILL COUNTRY STEEL, L.P. | CONVERSE, TX | $6,775 |
| TYLER PRODUCTS SALES, INC. | TYLER, TX | $6,563 |
| BOROUGH OF WILDWOOD CREST DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS | WILDWOOD CREST, NJ | $5,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.179(h)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.179(h)(4).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.179(h) Hoisting equipment 20 citations
- 1910.179(h)(2)(i)
- 1910.179(h)(2)(iii)
- 1910.179(h)(2) Ropes
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Frequently asked questions
What standard do crane hooks have to meet?
The manufacturer's recommendations.
Can a hook be overloaded briefly?
No. Hooks shall not be overloaded.
Who should know the hook's limits?
Anyone rigging or operating should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the hook.
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 2026-11-06
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.