1926.600(a)(3)(i): Blocking Suspended Equipment
Employers must make sure heavy machinery or parts held up by slings, hoists or jacks are substantially blocked or cribbed before anyone works under or between them. Blades, buckets, dump bodies and similar equipment must be fully lowered or blocked when being repaired or not in use, with controls in neutral, motors stopped and brakes set unless the work requires otherwise.
Key takeaways
- 1926.600(a)(3)(i) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 16 times in the last 3 years, in 16 inspections, with $52,730 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (3), NC (3), PA (2).
- Related part: 1926.600(a) General requirements (111 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.600(a)(3)(i) is one requirement inside 1926.600 Equipment, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart O). 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
(i) Heavy machinery, equipment, or parts thereof, which are suspended or held aloft by use of slings, hoists, or jacks shall be substantially blocked or cribbed to prevent falling or shifting before employees are permitted to work under or between them. Bulldozer and scraper blades, end-loader buckets, dump bodies, and similar equipment, shall be either fully lowered or blocked when being repaired or when not in use. All controls shall be in a neutral position, with the motors stopped and brakes set, unless work being performed requires otherwise. 16 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.600.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.600(a)(3)(i).
At 10:45 a.m. on December 20, 2024, Employee #2 was attempting to warm a frozen hose inside the cab of a Bobcat E35i compact excavator. Employee #1 was positioned on the opposite side of the equipment. For unknown reasons, Employee #2 disengaged the console lever…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: MI (3), NC (3), PA (2), AR (1), VA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CLARK CONTRACTORS, INC. | BEDFORD, PA | $16,550 |
| TANTO IRRIGATION, LLC | HUDSON FALLS, NY | $10,725 |
| MOC CONTRACTING, LLC | NEOSHO, MO | $6,620 |
| JAMES R VANNOY & SONS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. | LYNCHBURG, VA | $6,435 |
| 67920 - TANENBAUM SERVICES AND CONCRETE LLC | UNION, KY | $3,500 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.600(a)(3)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.600(a) General requirements 111 citations
- 1926.600(a)(6) 64 citations
- 1926.600(a)(6)(i) 37 citations
- 1926.600(a)(3) 27 citations
- 1926.600(a)(6)(iv) 18 citations
- 1926.600(a)(5) 17 citations
- 1926.600(a)(3)(ii) 11 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
Can I work under equipment held up by a jack?
Only after it is substantially blocked or cribbed to prevent falling or shifting.
What must be done with a bulldozer blade when not in use?
It must be fully lowered or blocked.
Where must controls be?
In a neutral position, with motors stopped and brakes set, unless the work being performed requires otherwise.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.600 (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.