29 CFR 1910 · General Industry · Subpart N

1910.179(j)(3)(iv): Crane Inspection: Worn or Cracked Parts

By Black Belt Safety Editorial Team Official text as of October 15, 2026 Data updated October 21, 2026 3 min read

In plain words:

During periodic overhead crane inspections, inspectors must look for deficiencies such as worn, cracked or distorted parts, including pins, bearings, shafts, gears, rollers, and locking and clamping devices.

Key takeaways

  • 1910.179(j)(3)(iv) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
  • OSHA cited it 4 times in the last 3 years, in 4 inspections, with $6,113 in current penalties.
  • 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
  • Related part: 1910.179(j) Inspection (426 citations).
  • Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
4citations, 3 years
$6,113current penalties
4inspections
1linked deaths
In this article
  1. What this rule covers
  2. Official text
  3. Injuries linked to this rule
  4. Where and how often it was cited
  5. Free toolbox talk
  6. OSHA interpretation letters
  7. Related parts of this rule
  8. Get your crew competent
  9. Frequently asked questions
  10. About this page

What this rule covers

29 CFR 1910.179(j)(3)(iv) is one requirement inside 1910.179 Overhead and gantry cranes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). 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

(iv) Worn, cracked or distorted parts such as pins, bearings, shafts, gears, rollers, locking and clamping devices. 4 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(j)(3)(iv).

Employee dies of head injuries when struck by falling steel
2024-06-11 · Fatal · MIDDLESEX, NJ

At 7:45 a.m. on June 11, 2024, an employee working as a forklift operator for a stainless-steel manufacturer was assisting a coworker, also a forklift operator,by directing movement of an 800-pound steel beam. The strap holding the beam ripped and the beam struck the employee.…

Where and how often it was cited

Free toolbox talk

A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.179(j)(3)(iv), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.




OSHA interpretation letters

None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.179(j)(3)(iv).

Related parts of this rule

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

What parts does this inspection item cover?

Pins, bearings, shafts, gears, rollers, and locking and clamping devices.

What conditions are inspectors looking for?

Parts that are worn, cracked, or distorted.

Is this a daily check?

It is part of the periodic inspection list for overhead and gantry cranes.

About this page

Sources

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.

Written and reviewed by

Black Belt Safety Editorial Team

Site Safety Officer and Safety Professional

OSHA 30 · CPR · USACE CQM

Written and reviewed by the Black Belt Safety team. Every post is checked against the OSHA standard or agency source it cites.

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