1926.602(a)(4): Brakes on Earthmoving Equipment
All earthmoving equipment covered by 1926.602(a) must have a service braking system that can stop and hold the equipment fully loaded, as specified in the listed SAE standards. Brakes on self-propelled rubber-tired off-highway equipment made after January 1, 1972 must meet the listed SAE minimum performance criteria.
Key takeaways
- 1926.602(a)(4) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 3 times in the last 3 years, in 3 inspections, with $7,453 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1926.602(a) Earthmoving equipment; General (75 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.602(a)(4) ("Brakes") is one requirement inside 1926.602 Material handling 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
(4) Brakes. All earthmoving equipment mentioned in this § 1926.602(a) shall have a service braking system capable of stopping and holding the equipment fully loaded, as specified in Society of Automotive Engineers SAE-J237, Loader Dozer-1971, J236, Graders-1971, and J319b, Scrapers-1971. Brake systems for self-propelled rubber-tired off-highway equipment manufactured after January 1, 1972 shall meet the applicable minimum performance criteria set forth in the following Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practices: 3 citations
| Self-Propelled Scrapers | SAE J319b-1971. |
| Self-Propelled Graders | SAE J236-1971. |
| Trucks and Wagons | SAE J166-1971. |
| Front End Loaders and Dozers | SAE J237-1971. |
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.602.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.602(a)(4).
At 11:30 a.m. on December 11, 2023, Employee #1 was working for a Utility Contractor. Employee #1 was retrieving parts and materials form a storage trailer. Employee #1 drove a front-end loader to the storage trailer where he placed the items in the implement bucket…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.602(a)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Clarification of service braking system requirements for rubber- tire off-highway equipment. (1986-08-29)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.602(a) Earthmoving equipment; General 75 citations
- 1926.602(a)(9) Audible alarms 56 citations
- 1926.602(a)(9)(ii) 31 citations
- 1926.602(a)(9)(i) 25 citations
- 1926.602(a)(3)(i) 10 citations
- 1926.602(a)(3) Access roadways and grades 10 citations
- 1926.602(a)(2)(i) 5 citations
- 1926.602(a)(2) Seat belts 5 citations
- 1926.602(a)(1) 1 citations
- 1926.602(a)(6) Rollover protective structures (ROPS)
- 1926.602(a)(2)(ii)
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Frequently asked questions
What must the brakes be able to do?
Stop and hold the equipment fully loaded.
What standards apply?
The listed Society of Automotive Engineers standards and recommended practices.
Which equipment must meet the SAE performance criteria?
Self-propelled rubber-tired off-highway equipment manufactured after January 1, 1972.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.602 (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.