1926.1427(a): Crane Operator Qualification
Employers must make sure each crane operator is trained, certified/licensed and evaluated before operating covered equipment, and uncertified employees may operate only as supervised operators-in-training. Operators of derricks, sideboom cranes and equipment rated 2,000 pounds or less are excepted, and current U.S. military qualifications count only for the military employer that issued them.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1427(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart CC).
- OSHA cited it 72 times in the last 3 years, in 72 inspections, with $531,674 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (13), GA (12), NC (8).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1427(a) ("General requirements for operators") is one requirement inside 1926.1427 Operator training, certification, and evaluation, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart CC). It includes 7 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
(a) General requirements for operators. The employer must ensure that each operator is trained, certified/licensed, and evaluated in accordance with this section before operating any equipment covered under subpart CC, except for the equipment listed in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. 72 citations
(1) Operation during training. An employee who has not been certified/licensed and evaluated to operate assigned equipment in accordance with this section may only operate the equipment as an operator-in-training under supervision in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section. 8 citations
(2) Exceptions. Operators of derricks (see § 1926.1436), sideboom cranes (see § 1926.1440), or equipment with a maximum manufacturer-rated hoisting/lifting capacity of 2,000 pounds or less (see § 1926.1441) are not required to comply with § 1926.1427. Note: The training requirements in those other sections continue to apply (for the training requirement for operators of sideboom cranes, follow section 1926.1430(c)).
(3) Qualification by the U.S. military.
(i) For purposes of this section, an operator who is an employee of the U.S. military meets the requirements of this section if he/she has a current operator qualification issued by the U.S. military for operation of the equipment. An employee of the U.S. military is a Federal employee of the Department of Defense or Armed Forces and does not include employees of private contractors.
(ii) A qualification under this paragraph is:
(A) Not portable: Such a qualification meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section only where the operator is employed by (and operating the equipment for) the employer that issued the qualification.
(B) Valid for the period of time stipulated by the issuing entity.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1427.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1427(a).
At 10:39 a.m. on July 2, 2024, a custom-fabricated lifting accessory was being used to lift a new roof structure for a grain bin into place. Employees onsite were in the process of bolting the structure when the lifting accessory failed. Employee #1 was working…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 31 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 16 |
Top states: TX (13), GA (12), NC (8), SD (6), MI (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GRANGAARD CONSTRUCTION, INC | MENNO, SD | $165,514 |
| RIGOBERTO ZETINA | HOSCHTON, GA | $35,491 |
| RIGOBERTO ZETINA | HOSCHTON, GA | $30,420 |
| RIGOBERTO ZETINA | NORCROSS, GA | $29,465 |
| SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP. | BROWNSVILLE, TX | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1427(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Crane operator certification and whether a practical test is required for re-certification. (2012-08-31)
- Numerous questions related to operational aids required by various standards for cranes and derricks in construction. (2012-03-13)
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 must happen before someone operates a crane?
The employer must ensure the operator is trained, certified/licensed and evaluated.
Can a trainee run the crane?
Only as an operator-in-training under supervision as required by paragraph (b).
Which equipment is excepted?
Derricks, sideboom cranes, and equipment with a maximum manufacturer-rated capacity of 2,000 pounds or less, though their own training rules still apply.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1427 (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 2026-10-20
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.