1926.552(b): Material Hoists
Construction employers must post operating rules, including signals, line speeds and "No Riders Allowed," and allow no riders except for inspection and maintenance. Hoistway entrances need full-width, latching, striped gates or bars, with bars at least 2 by 4 inches, 2 feet from the hoistway line, 36 to 42 inches high. Cages and the operator's station need overhead protection, and towers must meet enclosure rules.
Key takeaways
- 1926.552(b) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 21 times in the last 3 years, in 9 inspections, with $75,750 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: KY (16), GA (2), WI (1).
- Related part: 1926.552(b)(1) (5 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.552(b) ("Material hoists") is one requirement inside 1926.552 Material hoists, personnel hoists, and elevators, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart N). It includes 14 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
(b) Material hoists. 21 citations
(1) Open (b)(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
(2) All entrances of the hoistways shall be protected by substantial gates or bars which shall guard the full width of the landing entrance. All hoistway entrance bars and gates shall be painted with diagonal contrasting colors, such as black and yellow stripes. Open (b)(2) 5 citations
(i) Bars shall be not less than 2- by 4-inch wooden bars or the equivalent, located 2 feet from the hoistway line. Bars shall be located not less than 36 inches nor more than 42 inches above the floor.
(ii) Gates or bars protecting the entrances to hoistways shall be equipped with a latching device.
(3) Overhead protective covering of 2-inch planking, 3⁄4-inch plywood, or other solid material of equivalent strength, shall be provided on the top of every material hoist cage or platform. Open (b)(3) 4 citations
(4) The operator's station of a hoisting machine shall be provided with overhead protection equivalent to tight planking not less than 2 inches thick. The support for the overhead protection shall be of equal strength.
(5) Hoist towers may be used with or without an enclosure on all sides. However, whichever alternative is chosen, the following applicable conditions shall be met: Open (b)(5) 4 citations
(i) When a hoist tower is enclosed, it shall be enclosed on all sides for its entire height with a screen enclosure of 1⁄2-inch mesh, No. 18 U.S. gauge wire or equivalent, except for landing access.
(ii) When a hoist tower is not enclosed, the hoist platform or car shall be totally enclosed (caged) on all sides for the full height between the floor and the overhead protective covering with 1⁄2-inch mesh of No. 14 U.S. gauge wire or equivalent. The hoist platform enclosure shall include the required gates for loading and unloading. A 6-foot high enclosure shall be provided on the unused sides of the hoist tower at ground level. Open (b)(5)(ii) 4 citations
(6) Car arresting devices shall be installed to function in case of rope failure.
(7) All material hoist towers shall be designed by a licensed professional engineer.
(8) All material hoists shall conform to the requirements of ANSI A10.5-1969, Safety Requirements for Material Hoists. 3 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.552.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.552(b).
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.
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 16 |
Top states: KY (16), GA (2), WI (1), NJ (1), NY (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 67550 - BUZICK CONSTRUCTION INC | LORETTO, KY | $20,000 |
| 67551 - MAKERS MARK DISTILLERY PBC | LORETTO, KY | $20,000 |
| 67243 - KENTUCKY BOURBON DISTILLERS LTD | BARDSTOWN, KY | $17,500 |
| 67244 - PAUL K CULVER JR CONSTRUCTION LLC | BARDSTOWN, KY | $12,150 |
| FRANK J TUCEK & SONS INC | CONGERS, NY | $4,100 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.552(b), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.552(b).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.552(b)(1) 5 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can workers ride a material hoist?
No, except for the purposes of inspection and maintenance.
How must hoistway entrances be guarded?
With substantial gates or bars covering the full landing width, painted with diagonal contrasting colors and equipped with a latching device.
What overhead protection is required on the cage?
2-inch planking, 3/4-inch plywood, or other solid material of equivalent strength.
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.