1926.1408(a): Crane Work Zone and Power Line Assessment
Before crane operations begin, employers must identify the work zone, either by marking boundaries the operator may not pass or by using the full 360 degrees around the equipment out to its maximum working radius. If any part of the equipment, load line or load could get closer than 20 feet to a power line, they must deenergize and ground it, keep 20 feet of clearance, or use Table A clearance.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1408(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart CC).
- OSHA cited it 30 times in the last 3 years, in 27 inspections, with $522,644 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (5), AZ (4), MI (4).
- Related part: 1926.1408(a)(2) (22 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1408(a) ("Hazard assessments and precautions inside the work zone") is one requirement inside 1926.1408 Power line safety (up to 350 kV)—equipment operations, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart CC). It includes 9 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
(a) Hazard assessments and precautions inside the work zone. Before beginning equipment operations, the employer must: 30 citations
(1) Identify the work zone by either: Open (a)(1) 4 citations
(i) Demarcating boundaries (such as with flags, or a device such as a range limit device or range control warning device) and prohibiting the operator from operating the equipment past those boundaries, or 1 citations
(ii) Defining the work zone as the area 360 degrees around the equipment, up to the equipment's maximum working radius.
(2) Determine if any part of the equipment, load line or load (including rigging and lifting accessories), if operated up to the equipment's maximum working radius in the work zone, could get closer than 20 feet to a power line. If so, the employer must meet the requirements in Option (1), Option (2), or Option (3) of this section, as follows: Open (a)(2) 22 citations
(i) Option (1)—Deenergize and ground. Confirm from the utility owner/operator that the power line has been deenergized and visibly grounded at the worksite.
(ii) Option (2) —20 foot clearance. Ensure that no part of the equipment, load line, or load (including rigging and lifting accessories), gets closer than 20 feet to the power line by implementing the measures specified in paragraph (b) of this section. 1 citations
(iii) Option (3) —Table A clearance. 1 citations
(A) Determine the line's voltage and the minimum approach distance permitted under Table A (see § 1926.1408).
(B) Determine if any part of the equipment, load line or load (including rigging and lifting accessories), while operating up to the equipment's maximum working radius in the work zone, could get closer than the minimum approach distance of the power line permitted under Table A (see § 1926.1408). If so, then the employer must follow the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section to ensure that no part of the equipment, load line, or load (including rigging and lifting accessories), gets closer to the line than the minimum approach distance.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1408.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: IL (5), AZ (4), MI (4), PA (3), TN (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GRANGAARD CONSTRUCTION, INC | MENNO, SD | $165,514 |
| SHAW CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION | CHESAPEAKE, VA | $159,680 |
| URX2023XRS480X0082 - LONIGAN CONSTRUCTION CORP | TUCSON, AZ | $26,787 |
| CPX2023XRS480X0081 - VALLEY CRANE SERVICE LLC | TUCSON, AZ | $26,786 |
| FCX2025XMH679X0011 - JW CIVIL LLC | TUCSON, AZ | $16,550 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1408(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
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Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1408(a)(2) 22 citations
- 1926.1408(a)(1) Identify the work zone by either: 4 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How can the work zone be identified?
By demarcating boundaries and prohibiting operation past them, or by defining it as the area 360 degrees around the equipment up to its maximum working radius.
What distance triggers the power line options?
If any part of the equipment, load line or load could get closer than 20 feet to a power line.
What are the three options?
Deenergize and ground the line, keep a 20 foot clearance, or use the Table A minimum approach distance.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1408 (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 2026-10-19
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.