1926.1437(m): Floating cranes/derricks
Key takeaways
- 1926.1437(m) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart CC).
- Related part: 1926.1437(m)(5).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1437(m) ("Floating cranes/derricks") is one requirement inside 1926.1437 Floating cranes/derricks and land cranes/derricks on barges, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart CC). It includes 10 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
(m) Floating cranes/derricks. For equipment designed by the manufacturer (or employer) for marine use by permanent attachment to barges, pontoons, vessels or other means of flotation:
(1) Load charts.
(i) The employer must not exceed the manufacturer load charts applicable to operations on water. When using these charts, the employer must comply with all parameters and limitations (such as dynamic and environmental parameters) applicable to the use of the charts.
(ii) The employer must ensure that load charts take into consideration a minimum wind speed of 40 miles per hour.
(2) The employer must ensure that the requirements for maximum allowable list and maximum allowable trim as specified in Table M1 of this section are met.
| Rated capacity | Maximum allowable list (degrees) |
Maximum allowable trim (degrees) |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment designed for marine use by permanent attachment (other than derricks): | ||
| 25 tons or less | 5 | 5 |
| Over 25 tons | 7 | 7 |
| Derricks designed for marine use by permanent attachment: | ||
| Any rated capacity | 10 | 10 |
(3) The employer must ensure that the equipment is stable under the conditions specified in Tables M2 and M3 of this section. (Note: Freeboard is the vertical distance between the water line and the main deck of the vessel.)
| Operated at | Wind speed (mph) |
Minimum freeboard (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Rated capacity | 60 | 2 |
| Rated capacity plus 25% | 60 | 1 |
| High boom, no load | 60 | 2 |
| Operated at | Wind speed |
|---|---|
| For backward stability of the boom: | |
| High boom, no load, full back list (least stable condition) | 90 mph. |
(4) If the equipment is employer-made, it must not be used unless the employer has documents demonstrating that the load charts and applicable parameters for use meet the requirements of paragraphs (m)(1) through (3) of this section. Such documents must be signed by a registered professional engineer who is a qualified person with respect to the design of this type of equipment (including the means of flotation).
(5) The employer must ensure that the barge, pontoons, vessel or other means of flotation used: Open (m)(5)
(i) Are structurally sufficient to withstand the static and dynamic loads of the crane/derrick when operating at the crane/derrick's maximum rated capacity with all planned and actual deck loads and ballasted compartments.
(ii) Have a subdivided hull with one or more longitudinal watertight bulkheads for reducing the free-surface effect.
(iii) Have access to void compartments to allow for inspection and pumping.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1437.
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Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1437 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly
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.