1910.180(g)(1): Monthly Inspection of Running Ropes
All running ropes in use on crawler, locomotive and truck cranes must get a thorough inspection at least once a month by an appointed or authorized person. A certification record with the date, inspector's signature and a rope identifier must be kept on file where readily available. Any deterioration causing appreciable loss of strength must be checked to decide if further use is a safety hazard.
Key takeaways
- 1910.180(g)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 6 times in the last 3 years, in 6 inspections, with $13,215 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.180(g) Rope inspection (6 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.180(g)(1) ("Running ropes") is one requirement inside 1910.180 Crawler locomotive and truck 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 in use 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 shall be prepared and kept on file where readily available. All inspections shall be performed by an appointed or authorized person. Any deterioration, resulting in appreciable loss of original strength shall be carefully observed and detemination 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: 6 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 of 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.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.180.
Export the list: 6 inspections cited 1910.180(g)(1) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.180(g)(1).
At 11:15 a.m. on March 25, 2024, an employee was rigging trees/brush with a sling. The crane cable contacted the overhead power line while the employee's hand was on the crane hook. The employee was killed via electrocution.
Where and how often it was cited
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.180(g)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.180(g)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.180(g) Rope inspection 6 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How often must running ropes be inspected?
At least once a month.
Who can perform the inspection?
An appointed or authorized person.
What signs can mean lost 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 1910.180 (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.