1910.179(l)(3): Crane Adjustments and Repairs
Employers must correct unsafe conditions found in crane inspections before operation resumes, and only designated personnel may adjust or repair cranes. Adjustments must keep mechanisms, limit switches, controls, brakes and power plants working correctly, and repairs must be made promptly, including discarding defective hooks, replacing defective chains and slings and worn critical parts, and keeping pendant controls clean and labeled.
Key takeaways
- 1910.179(l)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 98 times in the last 3 years, in 87 inspections, with $776,247 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: VA (15), OH (13), ID (8).
- Related part: 1910.179(l) Maintenance (107 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.179(l)(3) ("Adjustments and repairs") is one requirement inside 1910.179 Overhead and gantry cranes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). It includes 3 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
(3) Adjustments and repairs. 98 citations
(i) Any unsafe conditions disclosed by the inspection requirements of paragraph (j) of this section shall be corrected before operation of the crane is resumed. Adjustments and repairs shall be done only by designated personnel. Open (l)(3)(i) 36 citations
(ii) Adjustments shall be maintained to assure correct functioning of components. The following are examples: 7 citations
(a) All functional operating mechanisms.
(b) Limit switches.
(c) Control systems.
(d) Brakes.
(e) Power plants.
(iii) Repairs or replacements shall be provided promptly as needed for safe operation. The following are examples: Open (l)(3)(iii) 55 citations
(a) Crane hooks showing defects described in paragraph (j)(2)(iii) of this section shall be discarded. Repairs by welding or reshaping are not generally recommended. If such repairs are attempted they shall only be done under competent supervision and the hook shall be tested to the load requirements of paragraph (k)(2) of this section before further use.
(b) Load attachment chains and rope slings showing defects described in paragraph (j)(2) (iv) and (v) of this section respectively.
(c) All critical parts which are cracked, broken, bent, or excessively worn.
(d) Pendant control stations shall be kept clean and function labels kept legible.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.179.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.179(l)(3).
At 5:15 p.m. on October 7, 2024, an employee was working as a welder for a trussmanufacturer. According to coworkers, the employee was welding a steel truss that was stacked on top of other trusses. The truss fell off the stack and pinned the employee.…
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 | 4 |
| 2024 | 44 |
| 2025 | 38 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Top states: VA (15), OH (13), ID (8), WI (7), OK (6)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| VTCU, CORP. | POCATELLO, ID | $286,088 |
| SMITH-MIDLAND CORPORATION | MIDLAND, VA | $79,375 |
| CF&I STEEL, L.P. | PUEBLO, CO | $50,000 |
| VTCU, CORP. | POCATELLO, ID | $33,703 |
| TRIPLE-S STEEL SUPPLY, LLC | RICHMOND, VA | $27,110 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.179(l)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.179(l)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.179(l) Maintenance 107 citations
- 1910.179(l)(3)(iii) 55 citations
- 1910.179(l)(3)(i) 36 citations
- 1910.179(l)(1) Preventive maintenance 6 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
When must unsafe conditions found in inspection be fixed?
Before operation of the crane is resumed.
Can a cracked crane hook be welded?
Defective hooks must be discarded; welding or reshaping is not generally recommended, and if attempted must be under competent supervision with a load test before use.
What about pendant controls?
Pendant control stations must be kept clean and their function labels legible.
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 2026-10-21
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.