1910.179(e)(2): Bridge bumpers
Key takeaways
- 1910.179(e)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 2 times in the last 3 years, in 2 inspections, with $6,872 in current penalties.
- Related part: 1910.179(e) Stops, bumpers, rail sweeps, and guards (6 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.179(e)(2) ("Bridge bumpers") is one requirement inside 1910.179 Overhead and gantry cranes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, 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
(2) Bridge bumpers — 2 citations
(i) A crane shall be provided with bumpers or other automatic means providing equivalent effect, unless the crane travels at a slow rate of speed and has a faster deceleration rate due to the use of sleeve bearings, or is not operated near the ends of bridge and trolley travel, or is restricted to a limited distance by the nature of the crane operation and there is no hazard of striking any object in this limited distance, or is used in similar operating conditions. The bumpers shall be capable of stopping the crane (not including the lifted load) at an average rate of deceleration not to exceed 3 ft/s/s when traveling in either direction at 20 percent of the rated load speed. 2 citations
(a) The bumpers shall have sufficient energy absorbing capacity to stop the crane when traveling at a speed of at least 40 percent of rated load speed.
(b) The bumper shall be so mounted that there is no direct shear on bolts.
(ii) Bumpers shall be so designed and installed as to minimize parts falling from the crane in case of breakage.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.179.
Export the list: 2 inspections cited 1910.179(e)(2) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.179(e)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.179(e) Stops, bumpers, rail sweeps, and guards 6 citations
- 1910.179(e)(6) Guards for moving parts 2 citations
- 1910.179(e)(6)(i) 2 citations
- 1910.179(e)(3) Trolley bumpers 1 citations
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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 2026-11-06
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.