1926.1434(a): OSHA rule
Key takeaways
- 1926.1434(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart CC).
- OSHA cited it 3 times in the last 3 years, in 3 inspections, with $13,571 in current penalties.
- Related part: 1926.1434(a)(3) Unavailable manufacturer.
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1434(a) is one requirement inside 1926.1434 Equipment modifications, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart CC). It includes 12 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) Modifications or additions which affect the capacity or safe operation of the equipment are prohibited except where the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), or (a)(5) of this section are met. 3 citations
(1) Manufacturer review and approval. 1 citations
(i) The manufacturer approves the modifications/additions in writing.
(ii) The load charts, procedures, instruction manuals and instruction plates/tags/decals are modified as necessary to accord with the modification/addition.
(iii) The original safety factor of the equipment is not reduced.
(2) Manufacturer refusal to review request. The manufacturer is provided a detailed description of the proposed modification/addition, is asked to approve the modification/addition, but it declines to review the technical merits of the proposal or fails, within 30 days, to acknowledge the request or initiate the review, and all of the following are met:
(i) A registered professional engineer who is a qualified person with respect to the equipment involved:
(A) Approves the modification/addition and specifies the equipment configurations to which that approval applies, and
(B) Modifies load charts, procedures, instruction manuals and instruction plates/tags/decals as necessary to accord with the modification/addition.
(ii) The original safety factor of the equipment is not reduced.
(3) Unavailable manufacturer. The manufacturer is unavailable and the requirements of paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section are met. Open (a)(3)
(4) Manufacturer does not complete the review within 120 days of the request. The manufacturer is provided a detailed description of the proposed modification/addition, is asked to approve the modification/addition, agrees to review the technical merits of the proposal, but fails to complete the review of the proposal within 120 days of the date it was provided the detailed description of the proposed modification/addition, and the requirements of paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section are met.
(5) Multiple manufacturers of equipment designed for use on marine work sites. The equipment is designed for marine work sites, contains major structural components from more than one manufacturer, and the requirements of paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section are met.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1434.
Where and how often it was cited
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Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1434 (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.