1910.179(m): Crane Rope Inspection
Employers must have all crane ropes thoroughly inspected at least once a month and keep a signed, dated record that identifies the ropes. Rope that has sat idle for a month or more must be inspected by an appointed person before use, and that person must approve further use.
Key takeaways
- 1910.179(m) 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)(1) Running ropes (36 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.179(m) ("Rope inspection") is one requirement inside 1910.179 Overhead and gantry cranes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). It includes 8 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
(m) Rope inspection — 36 citations
(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: Open (m)(1) 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
(2) Other ropes. All rope which has been idle for a period of a month or more due to shutdown or storage of a crane on which it is installed shall be given a thorough inspection before it is used. This inspection shall be for all types of deterioration and shall be performed by an appointed person whose approval shall be required for further use of the rope. A certification record shall be available for inspection which includes the date of inspection, the signature of the person who performed the inspection and an identifier for the rope which was inspected.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.179.
Export the list: 36 inspections cited 1910.179(m) 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).
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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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.179(m).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.179(m)(1) Running ropes 36 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How often must running ropes on overhead cranes be inspected?
A thorough inspection of all ropes must be made at least once a month.
What must the rope inspection record include?
The date of inspection, the signature of the person who did it and an identifier for the ropes inspected.
What about rope on a crane that has been shut down or stored?
Rope idle for a month or more must get a thorough inspection by an appointed person before it is used, and that person must approve further use.
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.