1926.552(a)(1): Follow Hoist and Elevator Manufacturer Limits
Employers must follow the manufacturer's specifications and limitations for operating all hoists and elevators. Where those specifications are not available, the equipment's limits must be based on determinations by a professional engineer competent in the field.
Key takeaways
- 1926.552(a)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 94 times in the last 3 years, in 93 inspections, with $287,580 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NC (14), IL (12), NH (12).
- Related part: 1926.552(a) General requirements (144 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.552(a)(1) is one requirement inside 1926.552 Material hoists, personnel hoists, and elevators, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart N). 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) The employer shall comply with the manufacturer's specifications and limitations applicable to the operation of all hoists and elevators. Where manufacturer's specifications are not available, the limitations assigned to the equipment shall be based on the determinations of a professional engineer competent in the field. 94 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.552.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.552(a)(1).
At 10:00 a.m. on June 5, 2024, Employee #1, employed as a laborer, was working on a ladder when he fell. The employee landed on a concrete driveway, sustainingfatal injuries from the fall. Emergency services were called to the scene, but the employee was pronounced…
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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 43 |
| 2025 | 28 |
| 2026 | 14 |
Top states: NC (14), IL (12), NH (12), MA (9), GA (9)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| NJ BEST CONSTRUCTION LLC | ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ | $32,265 |
| J WAMAN CONSTRUCTION, INC. | TEANECK, NJ | $21,876 |
| LUIS ALBERTO-REYNA AVILA, AKA LUIS REYNA AVILA | SCRANTON, PA | $16,550 |
| JM EXTERIOR SIDING CORPORATION | TEWKSBURY, MA | $14,564 |
| TWO BROTHERS CONTRACTING, INC. | RICHMOND, VA | $12,300 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.552(a)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.552(a)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.552(a) General requirements 144 citations
- 1926.552(a)(4) 45 citations
- 1926.552(a)(3) 4 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
Whose limits apply to a hoist?
The manufacturer's specifications and limitations.
What if manufacturer specs are not available?
The limits must be based on determinations of a professional engineer competent in the field.
Does this cover elevators?
Yes. It applies to all hoists and elevators.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.552 (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.