1926.1428(a): Signal Person Qualification
The employer of a crane signal person must make sure each signal person meets the qualification requirements before giving any signals, using either documentation from a third party qualified evaluator or an assessment and documentation by the employer's own qualified evaluator, which is not portable to other employers. Documentation must be kept at the site and list each type of signaling the person is qualified for.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1428(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart CC).
- OSHA cited it 37 times in the last 3 years, in 37 inspections, with $86,924 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (11), MI (6), NJ (2).
- Related part: 1926.1428(a)(3) (9 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1428(a) is one requirement inside 1926.1428 Signal person qualifications, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart CC). It includes 3 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) 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. 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
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1428.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1428(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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Top states: MD (11), 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 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1428(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Requirements of a third-party evaluator of rigger and signal person qualifications. (2012-01-09)
- Whether apprenticeship programs qualify as third party qualified evaluators for purposes of evaluating signal person qualifications. (2011-06-28)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1428(a)(3) 9 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
When must a signal person be qualified?
Prior to giving any signals.
Can another employer use my company's signal person evaluation?
No. An assessment by an employer's qualified evaluator under Option (2) is not portable.
What must the documentation show?
Each type of signaling, such as hand signals or radio signals, for which the signal person meets 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 2026-10-20
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.