1926.1424(a): Crane Swing Radius Hazards
Where a crane's rotating superstructure poses a reasonably foreseeable risk of striking or pinching workers, employers must train authorized personnel to recognize these hazard areas and mark them with barriers, or with warning signs and high-visibility markings when barriers are not feasible. Before a worker enters an out-of-view hazard area, the operator must be informed, and the operator must not swing until told the worker is safe.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1424(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart CC).
- OSHA cited it 31 times in the last 3 years, in 29 inspections, with $98,442 in current penalties.
- Most citations: RI (6), GA (6), MI (6).
- Related part: 1926.1424(a)(2) (31 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1424(a) ("Swing radius hazards") is one requirement inside 1926.1424 Work area control, 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) Swing radius hazards. 31 citations
(1) The requirements in paragraph (a)(2) of this section apply where there are accessible areas in which the equipment's rotating superstructure (whether permanently or temporarily mounted) poses a reasonably foreseeable risk of:
(i) Striking and injuring an employee; or
(ii) Pinching/crushing an employee against another part of the equipment or another object.
(2) To prevent employees from entering these hazard areas, the employer must: Open (a)(2) 31 citations
(i) Train each employee assigned to work on or near the equipment (“authorized personnel”) in how to recognize struck-by and pinch/crush hazard areas posed by the rotating superstructure. 3 citations
(ii) Erect and maintain control lines, warning lines, railings or similar barriers to mark the boundaries of the hazard areas. Exception: When the employer can demonstrate that it is neither feasible to erect such barriers on the ground nor on the equipment, the hazard areas must be clearly marked by a combination of warning signs (such as “Danger—Swing/Crush Zone”) and high visibility markings on the equipment that identify the hazard areas. In addition, the employer must train each employee to understand what these markings signify. Open (a)(2)(ii) 22 citations
(3) Protecting employees in the hazard area.
(i) Before an employee goes to a location in the hazard area that is out of view of the operator, the employee (or someone instructed by the employee) must ensure that the operator is informed that he/she is going to that location.
(ii) Where the operator knows that an employee went to a location covered by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the operator must not rotate the superstructure until the operator is informed in accordance with a pre-arranged system of communication that the employee is in a safe position.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1424.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: RI (6), GA (6), MI (6), TX (3), OH (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GRANGAARD CONSTRUCTION, INC | MENNO, SD | $16,550 |
| HIGH DESERT ROOFING, INC. | SANTA FE, NM | $11,588 |
| STALWORTH UNDERGROUND LLC | OAK PARK, IL | $11,585 |
| CAPITAL CONCRETE, INC. | PENNSAUKEN, NJ | $10,372 |
| EMTZ FRAMING LLC | POWDER SPRINGS, GA | $9,930 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1424(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1424(a).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1424(a)(2) 31 citations
- 1926.1424(a)(2)(ii) 22 citations
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Frequently asked questions
When does this rule apply?
Where accessible areas exist in which the rotating superstructure poses a reasonably foreseeable risk of striking or pinching/crushing an employee.
What barriers are acceptable?
Control lines, warning lines, railings or similar barriers.
Who must tell the operator before entering an out-of-view area?
The employee, or someone instructed by the employee.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1424 (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.