1910.179(m)(1): Monthly Inspection of Running Ropes
Employers must have all running ropes on overhead and gantry cranes thoroughly inspected at least once a month, and keep a signed, dated record that identifies the ropes where appointed personnel can easily get it. Any deterioration that causes an appreciable loss of strength must be watched closely and judged for whether further use would be a safety hazard.
Key takeaways
- 1910.179(m)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 36 times in the last 3 years, in 36 inspections, with $75,572 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (10), TX (3), OH (3).
- Related part: 1910.179(m) Rope inspection (36 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.179(m)(1) ("Running ropes") is one requirement inside 1910.179 Overhead and gantry cranes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). It includes 6 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
(1) Running ropes. A thorough inspection of all ropes shall be made at least once a month and a certification record which includes the date of inspection, the signature of the person who performed the inspection and an identifier for the ropes which were inspected shall be kept on file where readily available to appointed personnel. Any deterioration, resulting in appreciable loss of original strength, shall be carefully observed and determination made as to whether further use of the rope would constitute a safety hazard. Some of the conditions that could result in an appreciable loss of strength are the following: 36 citations
(i) Reduction of rope diameter below nominal diameter due to loss of core support, internal or external corrosion, or wear of outside wires.
(ii) A number of broken outside wires and the degree of distribution or concentration of such broken wires.
(iii) Worn outside wires.
(iv) Corroded or broken wires at end connections.
(v) Corroded, cracked, bent, worn, or improperly applied end connections.
(vi) Severe kinking, crushing, cutting, or unstranding. 2 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.179.
Export the list: 36 inspections cited 1910.179(m)(1) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.179(m)(1).
At 7:30 a.m. on June 27, 2024, an employee working as a crane operator for an automotive parts manufacturer was using the east crane, a EMH Model ZLK OverheadGantry Crane (Serial Number 101677). The employee was using the crane's 20-ton hoist to lift a 29,150-pound…
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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: MD (10), TX (3), OH (3), ID (3), ME (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| S & S INTERNATIONAL, INC. | CAROL STREAM, IL | $16,550 |
| VTCU, CORP. | POCATELLO, ID | $12,098 |
| ABC TECHNOLOGIES WMG USA, INC. | BELLEVUE, OH | $12,098 |
| AMSTED RAIL | KEOKUK, IA | $10,000 |
| MINERAL FABRICATION AND MACHINE COMPANY, INC. | KEYSER, WV | $8,250 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.179(m)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.179(m)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.179(m) Rope inspection 36 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How often must running ropes be inspected?
At least once a month, with a thorough inspection of all ropes.
Where must the inspection record be kept?
On file where it is readily available to appointed personnel.
What signs point to loss of rope strength?
Reduced diameter, broken or worn outside wires, corroded or broken wires at end connections, damaged end connections, and severe kinking, crushing, cutting or unstranding.
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.