1926.305: Jacks: Lever, Ratchet, Screw and Hydraulic
Every jack must be marked with its rated capacity, which must not be exceeded, and have a positive stop to prevent overtravel. Jacks must be blocked or cribbed when a firm base is needed, loads must be secured right after raising, and jacks must be lubricated, inspected on the listed schedule, and tagged and kept out of use when out of order.
Key takeaways
- 1926.305 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 5 times in the last 3 years, in 4 inspections, with $22,449 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most-cited part: 1926.305(c) Blocking (2 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.305, "Jacks—lever and ratchet, screw, and hydraulic", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart I). It has 13 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 1926.305 (13 paragraphs)
(a) General requirements. 1 citations
(1) The manufacturer's rated capacity shall be legibly marked on all jacks and shall not be exceeded. 1 citations
(2) All jacks shall have a positive stop to prevent overtravel.
(b) [Reserved]
(c) Blocking. When it is necessary to provide a firm foundation, the base of the jack shall be blocked or cribbed. Where there is a possibility of slippage of the metal cap of the jack, a wood block shall be placed between the cap and the load. Open (c) 2 citations
(d) Open (d) 2 citations
(1) Operation and maintenance. Open (d)(1) 2 citations
(i) After the load has been raised, it shall be cribbed, blocked, or otherwise secured at once. Open (d)(1)(i) 1 citations
(ii) Hydraulic jacks exposed to freezing temperatures shall be supplied with an adequate antifreeze liquid.
(iii) All jacks shall be properly lubricated at regular intervals.
(iv) Each jack shall be thoroughly inspected at times which depend upon the service conditions. Inspections shall be not less frequent than the following: 1 citations
(a) For constant or intermittent use at one locality, once every 6 months,
(b) For jacks sent out of shop for special work, when sent out and when returned,
(c) For a jack subjected to abnormal load or shock, immediately before and immediately thereafter.
(v) Repair or replacement parts shall be examined for possible defects.
(vi) Jacks which are out of order shall be tagged accordingly, and shall not be used until repairs are made.
[44 FR 8577, Feb. 9, 1979; 44 FR 20940, Apr. 6, 1979, as amended at 55 FR 42328, Oct. 18, 1990; 58 FR 35176, June 30, 1993]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.305.
On January 8, 2024, a three man teardown crew was in the process of preparing a mobile home for transport by semi-truck to another mobile home park. At approximately 10:00 a.m., the crew was preparing to lift the mobile home from its foundation, which consisted…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.305, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Flexible corrugated plastic covers for temporary use to cover live electric parts in switch and panel boxes. (2002-06-17)
- Guarding requirements for a rotary pneumatic angle-drive hand-held tool. (2001-12-11)
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1926.305(c) Blocking 2 citations
- 1926.305(d) 2 citations
- 1926.305(d)(1) Operation and maintenance 2 citations
- 1926.305(d)(1)(i) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How often must jacks be inspected?
For constant or intermittent use at one locality, at least once every 6 months; jacks sent out for special work, when sent out and when returned; and jacks under abnormal load or shock, immediately before and immediately after.
What must be done after a load is raised?
It must be cribbed, blocked, or otherwise secured at once.
What happens to a jack that is out of order?
It must be tagged accordingly and not used until repairs are made.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.305 (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.