1910.179(h): Crane Sheaves and Hoisting Ropes
Overhead crane sheave grooves must be smooth, with guards to guide ropes back and keep bottom block ropes from fouling, chain pockets sized to avoid binding, and lubrication. Hoisting ropes must follow the crane maker's recommendations, with rated load divided by parts of rope not exceeding 20 percent of the rope's nominal breaking strength, at least two wraps left on the drum at the lowest hook position, and proper end anchoring and clips.
Key takeaways
- 1910.179(h) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 20 times in the last 3 years, in 20 inspections, with $65,689 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TX (4), MT (4), NJ (3).
- Related part: 1910.179(h)(4) Hooks (19 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.179(h) ("Hoisting equipment") is one requirement inside 1910.179 Overhead and gantry cranes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). It includes 17 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
(h) Hoisting equipment — 20 citations
(1) Sheaves. 1 citations
(i) Sheave grooves shall be smooth and free from surface defects which could cause rope damage.
(ii) Sheaves carrying ropes which can be momentarily unloaded shall be provided with close-fitting guards or other suitable devices to guide the rope back into the groove when the load is applied again. 1 citations
(iii) The sheaves in the bottom block shall be equipped with close-fitting guards that will prevent ropes from becoming fouled when the block is lying on the ground with ropes loose.
(iv) Pockets and flanges of sheaves used with hoist chains shall be of such dimensions that the chain does not catch or bind during operation.
(v) All running sheaves shall be equipped with means for lubrication. Permanently lubricated, sealed and/or shielded bearings meet this requirement.
(2) Ropes. Open (h)(2)
(i) In using hoisting ropes, the crane manufacturer's recommendation shall be followed. The rated load divided by the number of parts of rope shall not exceed 20 percent of the nominal breaking strength of the rope. Open (h)(2)(i)
(ii) Socketing shall be done in the manner specified by the manufacturer of the assembly.
(iii) Rope shall be secured to the drum as follows: Open (h)(2)(iii)
(a) No less than two wraps of rope shall remain on the drum when the hook is in its extreme low position.
(b) Rope end shall be anchored by a clamp securely attached to the drum, or by a socket arrangement approved by the crane or rope manufacturer.
(iv) Eye splices. [Reserved]
(v) Rope clips attached with U-bolts shall have the U-bolts on the dead or short end of the rope. Spacing and number of all types of clips shall be in accordance with the clip manufacturer's recommendation. Clips shall be drop-forged steel in all sizes manufactured commercially. When a newly installed rope has been in operation for an hour, all nuts on the clip bolts shall be retightened.
(vi) Swaged or compressed fittings shall be applied as recommended by the rope or crane manufacturer.
(vii) Wherever exposed to temperatures, at which fiber cores would be damaged, rope having an independent wirerope or wire-strand core, or other temperature-damage resistant core shall be used.
(viii) Replacement rope shall be the same size, grade, and construction as the original rope furnished by the crane manufacturer, unless otherwise recommended by a wire rope manufacturer due to actual working condition requirements.
(3) Equalizers. If a load is supported by more than one part of rope, the tension in the parts shall be equalized.
(4) Hooks. Hooks shall meet the manufacturer's recommendations and shall not be overloaded. Open (h)(4) 19 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.179.
Export the list: 20 inspections cited 1910.179(h) 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 | 6 |
| 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 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.179(h).
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Frequently asked questions
How many wraps must stay on the drum?
No less than two wraps when the hook is in its extreme low position.
What is the rope load limit?
The rated load divided by the number of parts of rope shall not exceed 20 percent of the nominal breaking strength of the rope.
Which way do U-bolt clips go?
The U-bolts must be on the dead or short end of the rope.
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.