1926.1428: Signal Person Qualifications
Employers must make sure each crane signal person meets the qualification requirements before giving any signals, shown by documentation from a third-party qualified evaluator or the employer's own qualified evaluator. The documentation must be available on site and list each type of signaling covered, and a signal person who shows they do not meet the requirements must be retrained and reassessed before continuing.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1428 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart CC).
- OSHA cited it 45 times in the last 3 years, in 42 inspections, with $91,934 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (19), MI (6), NJ (2).
- Most-cited part: 1926.1428(a) (37 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1428, "Signal person qualifications", 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 1926.1428 (11 paragraphs)
(a) The employer of the signal person must ensure that each signal person meets the Qualification Requirements (paragraph (c) of this section) prior to giving any signals. This requirement must be met by using either Option (1) or Option (2) of this section. Open (a) 37 citations
(1) Option (1)—Third party qualified evaluator. The signal person has documentation from a third party qualified evaluator (see Qualified Evaluator (third party), § 1926.1401 for definition) showing that the signal person meets the Qualification Requirements (see paragraph (c) of this section).
(2) Option (2)—Employer's qualified evaluator. The employer's qualified (see Qualified Evaluator (not a third party), § 1926.1401 for definition) evaluator assesses the individual and determines that the individual meets the Qualification Requirements (see paragraph (c) of this section) and provides documentation of that determination. An assessment by an employer's qualified evaluator under this option is not portable—other employers are not permitted to use it to meet the requirements of this section. 1 citations
(3) The employer must make the documentation for whichever option is used available at the site while the signal person is employed by the employer. The documentation must specify each type of signaling (e.g. hand signals, radio signals, etc.) for which the signal person meets the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section. Open (a)(3) 9 citations
(b) If subsequent actions by the signal person indicate that the individual does not meet the Qualification Requirements (see paragraph (c) of this section), the employer must not allow the individual to continue working as a signal person until re-training is provided and a re-assessment is made in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section that confirms that the individual meets the Qualification Requirements. Open (b)
(c) Qualification Requirements. Each signal person must: 8 citations
(1) Know and understand the type of signals used. If hand signals are used, the signal person must know and understand the Standard Method for hand signals. 8 citations
(2) Be competent in the application of the type of signals used.
(3) Have a basic understanding of equipment operation and limitations, including the crane dynamics involved in swinging and stopping loads and boom deflection from hoisting loads.
(4) Know and understand the relevant requirements of §§ 1926.1419 through 1926.1422 and 1926.1428.
(5) Demonstrate that he/she meets the requirements in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this section through an oral or written test, and through a practical test.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Export the list: 42 inspections cited 1926.1428 in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1428.
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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 14 |
Top states: MD (19), MI (6), NJ (2), IL (2), NV (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WESTERN STATES CONTRACTING, INC. | NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV | $15,625 |
| SUPERIOR STEEL INC | NEW ALBANY, OH | $11,916 |
| INFINITY COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CONCRETE LLC | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $10,400 |
| QUINN BROTHERS OF ESSEX, INC. | BRIGHTON, MA | $10,163 |
| SHOCON, INC. | TUXEDO PARK, NY | $6,620 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1428, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1428.
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1926.1428(a) 37 citations
- 1926.1428(a)(3) 9 citations
- 1926.1428(b)
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Frequently asked questions
How can a signal person be qualified?
Through documentation from a third party qualified evaluator, or an assessment and documentation by the employer's qualified evaluator.
Can an employer's own qualification be used by another employer?
No. An assessment by the employer's qualified evaluator is not portable.
What if a signal person shows they do not meet the requirements?
They must not keep signaling until retraining and a reassessment confirm they meet the requirements.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1428 (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.