1926.600(a)(6)(iv): Spotter for Equipment Clearance
Employers must designate a person to watch equipment clearance and give timely warning for all operations where it is difficult for the operator to keep the desired clearance by sight.
Key takeaways
- 1926.600(a)(6)(iv) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 18 times in the last 3 years, in 18 inspections, with $45,489 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (5), VA (2), KY (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)(6)(iv) 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
(iv) A person shall be designated to observe clearance of the equipment and give timely warning for all operations where it is difficult for the operator to maintain the desired clearance by visual means; 18 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)(6)(iv).
At 3:00 p.m. on November 11, 2024, Employee #1 was preparing for work to begin on MW6. As the mast was being raised on the drill rig, the mast made contact with an overhead power line, energizing the rig. Employee #1 was near the rig…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: TX (5), VA (2), KY (2), ME (1), PA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WALKER-HILL ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. | OAKLAND, MS | $11,585 |
| SMC CONCRETE, LLC | CROWLEY, TX | $6,620 |
| MCKINLEY CONCRETE PUMPING | ANCHORAGE, AK | $4,965 |
| 68733 - CASS CONCRETE LLC | DANVILLE, KY | $4,900 |
| SUNDAY RIVER SKIWAY | NEWRY, ME | $4,605 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.600(a)(6)(iv), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.600(a)(6)(iv).
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)(5) 17 citations
- 1926.600(a)(3)(i) 16 citations
- 1926.600(a)(3)(ii) 11 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
When is a spotter needed?
For all operations where it is difficult for the operator to maintain the desired clearance by visual means.
What does the spotter do?
Observes the clearance of the equipment and gives timely warning.
Can anyone act as the spotter?
A person must be designated for the job.
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.