1910.179(b): Overhead and Gantry Crane General Requirements
This section applies to overhead and gantry cranes, including semigantry, cantilever gantry, wall cranes and storage bridge cranes. New cranes installed on or after August 31, 1971 must meet ANSI B30.2.0-1967; modified cranes must be checked by a qualified engineer or the manufacturer and tested; and rated loads must be plainly marked and legible from the floor.
Key takeaways
- 1910.179(b) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 57 times in the last 3 years, in 56 inspections, with $267,947 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NJ (8), TX (8), OH (6).
- Related part: 1910.179(b)(5) Rated load marking (32 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.179(b) ("General requirements") is one requirement inside 1910.179 Overhead and gantry cranes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). 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
(b) General requirements — 57 citations
(1) Application. This section applies to overhead and gantry cranes, including semigantry, cantilever gantry, wall cranes, storage bridge cranes, and others having the same fundamental characteristics. These cranes are grouped because they all have trolleys and similar travel characteristics.
(2) New and existing equipment. All new overhead and gantry cranes constructed and installed on or after August 31, 1971, shall meet the design specifications of the American National Standard Safety Code for Overhead and Gantry Cranes, ANSI B30.2.0-1967, which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6. Open (b)(2) 2 citations
(3) Modifications. Cranes may be modified and rerated provided such modifications and the supporting structure are checked thoroughly for the new rated load by a qualified engineer or the equipment manufacturer. The crane shall be tested in accordance with paragraph (k)(2) of this section. New rated load shall be displayed in accordance with subparagraph (5) of this paragraph. 3 citations
(4) Wind indicators and rail clamps. Outdoor storage bridges shall be provided with automatic rail clamps. A wind-indicating device shall be provided which will give a visible or audible alarm to the bridge operator at a predetermined wind velocity. If the clamps act on the rail heads, any beads or weld flash on the rail heads shall be ground off. Open (b)(4)
(5) Rated load marking. The rated load of the crane shall be plainly marked on each side of the crane, and if the crane has more than one hoisting unit, each hoist shall have its rated load marked on it or its load block and this marking shall be clearly legible from the ground or floor. Open (b)(5) 32 citations
(6) Clearance from obstruction. Open (b)(6) 9 citations
(i) Minimum clearance of 3 inches overhead and 2 inches laterally shall be provided and maintained between crane and obstructions in conformity with Crane Manufacturers Association of America, Inc., Specification No. 61, which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6 (formerly the Electric Overhead Crane Institute, Inc). Open (b)(6)(i) 2 citations
(ii) Where passageways or walkways are provided obstructions shall not be placed so that safety of personnel will be jeopardized by movements of the crane. 7 citations
(7) Clearance between parallel cranes. If the runways of two cranes are parallel, and there are no intervening walls or structure, there shall be adequate clearance provided and maintained between the two bridges.
(8) Designated personnel —Only designated personnel shall be permitted to operate a crane covered by this section. Open (b)(8) 11 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.179.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.179(b).
At 8:40 a.m. on April 18, 2024, an employee working for a glass and glazing contractor was attempting to maneuver a 3-ton overhead crane to unsecured windowframes. The window frames were staged in for metal fabrication prep in the assembly area. While moving one of…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2026 | 14 |
Top states: NJ (8), TX (8), OH (6), NY (5), VA (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| INTERNATIONAL STEEL AND COUNTERWEIGHTS LLC | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $15,970 |
| ALAMO STRUCTURAL STEEL, LLC | VICTORIA, TX | $14,895 |
| TAPCOENPRO, LLC | CHANNELVIEW, TX | $14,895 |
| ARROWALL COMPANY | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $12,000 |
| SAPPI NORTH AMERICA, INC. | WESTBROOK, ME | $11,754 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.179(b), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Requirements for rated load tests for new or altered cranes. (2009-08-28)
- Two-inch clearance must be maintained for overhead bridge cranes. (2001-04-06)
- Training for travel lift (mobile gantry crane) operators. (1999-11-08)
- Rated load markings for overhead bridge and gantry cranes. (1998-02-25)
- Load testing of underhung trolleys/lifting devices. (1993-11-02)
- Guidelines for platforms and walkways on cranes. (1993-06-25)
- Clarification on physical qualifications for crane operators. (1983-03-07)
- 1910.179(b)(4) only applies to outdoor storage bridge gantry cranes with spans over 100ft. (1976-03-02)
- Clarification on using an overhead crane beyond its rated load. (1975-08-27)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.179(b)(5) Rated load marking 32 citations
- 1910.179(b)(8) Designated personnel 11 citations
- 1910.179(b)(6) Clearance from obstruction 9 citations
- 1910.179(b)(6)(i) 2 citations
- 1910.179(b)(2) New and existing equipment 2 citations
- 1910.179(b)(4) Wind indicators and rail clamps
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Frequently asked questions
Can an overhead crane be modified and rerated?
Yes, if the modifications and supporting structure are checked thoroughly for the new rated load by a qualified engineer or the manufacturer, and the crane is tested under paragraph (k)(2).
Where must the rated load be marked?
Plainly on each side of the crane, and on each hoist or its load block if there is more than one hoist, legible from the ground or floor.
What do outdoor storage bridges need?
Automatic rail clamps and a wind-indicating device that gives a visible or audible alarm at a predetermined wind velocity.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.179 (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 2026-10-22
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.