1926.1424: Crane Work Area Control
Where a crane's rotating superstructure could strike or pinch workers, employers must train workers on or near the equipment to recognize swing and pinch hazard areas and mark those areas with control lines, warning lines, railings or similar barriers, or with warning signs and high-visibility markings if barriers are not feasible. Workers must make sure the operator knows before entering an out-of-view hazard area, and the operator must not swing until told they are safe.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1424 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart CC).
- OSHA cited it 32 times in the last 3 years, in 30 inspections, with $100,942 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (7), RI (6), GA (6).
- Most-cited part: 1926.1424(a) Swing radius hazards (32 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1424, "Work area control", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart CC). It has 11 numbered 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
Show the full text of 1926.1424 (11 paragraphs)
(a) Swing radius hazards. Open (a) 32 citations
(1) 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.
(2) To prevent employees from entering these hazard areas, the employer must: Open (a)(2) 32 citations
(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. 3 citations
(ii) 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 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. Open (a)(2)(ii) 22 citations
(3) Protecting employees in the hazard area.
(i) 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.
(ii) 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.
(b) 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.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Export the list: 30 inspections cited 1926.1424 in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Top states: MI (7), RI (6), GA (6), TX (3), OH (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GRANGAARD CONSTRUCTION, INC | MENNO, SD | $16,550 |
| HIGH DESERT ROOFING, INC. | SANTA FE, NM | $11,588 |
| STALWORTH UNDERGROUND LLC | OAK PARK, IL | $11,585 |
| CAPITAL CONCRETE, INC. | PENNSAUKEN, NJ | $10,372 |
| EMTZ FRAMING LLC | POWDER SPRINGS, GA | $9,930 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1424.
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1926.1424(a) Swing radius hazards 32 citations
- 1926.1424(a)(2) 32 citations
- 1926.1424(a)(2)(ii) 22 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must the employer do to keep workers out of swing hazard areas?
Train authorized personnel to recognize the hazards and erect and maintain barriers such as control lines, warning lines or railings.
What if barriers are not feasible?
Hazard areas must be clearly marked with warning signs and high-visibility markings on the equipment, and workers trained on what they mean.
When can the operator swing after a worker enters a hazard area?
Only after being informed through a pre-arranged communication system that the worker is in a safe position.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1424 (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.