1926.552(b)(1): Material Hoist Rules and No Riders
Operating rules for a material hoist, including the signal system and allowable line speed for various loads, must be set and posted at the operator's station. Rules and notices, including the statement "No Riders Allowed," must be posted on the car frame or crosshead, and no one may ride a material hoist except for inspection and maintenance.
Key takeaways
- 1926.552(b)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 5 times in the last 3 years, in 5 inspections, with $28,100 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1926.552(b) Material hoists (21 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.552(b)(1) is one requirement inside 1926.552 Material hoists, personnel hoists, and elevators, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart N). It includes 2 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
(1) 5 citations
(i) Operating rules shall be established and posted at the operator's station of the hoist. Such rules shall include signal system and allowable line speed for various loads. Rules and notices shall be posted on the car frame or crosshead in a conspicuous location, including the statement “No Riders Allowed.” 2 citations
(ii) No person shall be allowed to ride on material hoists except for the purposes of inspection and maintenance. Open (b)(1)(ii) 3 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.552.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.552(b)(1).
At 12:34 p.m. on July 30, 2024, an employee working for an industrial building contractor was working in a warehouse. The employee died when he fell due to unspecified reasons approximately two floors.
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.552(b)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.552(b)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.552(b) Material hoists 21 citations
- 1926.552(b)(2) 5 citations
- 1926.552(b)(3) 4 citations
- 1926.552(b)(5) 4 citations
- 1926.552(b)(5)(ii) 4 citations
- 1926.552(b)(1)(ii) 3 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Can workers ride a material hoist?
No, except for the purposes of inspection and maintenance.
Where must hoist operating rules be posted?
At the operator's station, with rules and notices also posted in a conspicuous spot on the car frame or crosshead.
What must the operating rules include?
The signal system and the allowable line speed for various loads.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.552 (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.