1926.602(c)(1)(ii): No Unapproved Changes to Equipment
Employers must not make modifications or additions that affect the capacity or safe operation of the equipment without the manufacturer's written approval. If changes are made, capacity, operation and maintenance plates, tags or decals must be updated, and the original safety factor must never be reduced.
Key takeaways
- 1926.602(c)(1)(ii) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 111 times in the last 3 years, in 111 inspections, with $245,163 in current penalties.
- 5 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (19), GA (10), IL (8).
- Related part: 1926.602(c)(1) (389 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.602(c)(1)(ii) 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
(ii) No modifications or additions which affect the capacity or safe operation of the equipment shall be made without the manufacturer's written approval. If such modifications or changes are made, the capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals shall be changed accordingly. In no case shall the original safety factor of the equipment be reduced. 111 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.602.
Injuries linked to this rule
5 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.602(c)(1)(ii).
At 10:00 a.m. on December 9, 2024, an employee working as a truck driver for a trucking company was delivering caliche for back-fill to a work site. The site was a graded, rolled and compacted well drilling patch site. The truck-trailer became stuck so a…
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 | 6 |
| 2024 | 33 |
| 2025 | 38 |
| 2026 | 34 |
Top states: TX (19), GA (10), IL (8), NH (8), WI (6)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| BROWNSTONE CONSTRUCTION, LTD. | KYLE, TX | $10,046 |
| MORALES PLUMBING, LLC | LAVONIA, GA | $8,930 |
| BLATTNER ENERGY, LLC | OAKWOOD, OK | $8,275 |
| THE VECINO GROUP | AUSTIN, TX | $6,951 |
| DREIFUSS FIREPLACES | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $6,452 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.602(c)(1)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.602(c)(1)(ii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.602(c)(1) 389 citations
- 1926.602(c) Lifting and hauling equipment (other than equipment covered under subpart N of this part) 389 citations
- 1926.602(c)(1)(vi) 171 citations
- 1926.602(c)(1)(viii) 53 citations
- 1926.602(c)(1)(viii)(A) 48 citations
- 1926.602(c)(1)(vii) 33 citations
- 1926.602(c)(1)(i) 20 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
Can equipment be modified on site?
Not in ways that affect capacity or safe operation without the manufacturer's written approval.
What happens to the plates and decals after an approved change?
The capacity, operation and maintenance instruction plates, tags or decals must be changed to match.
Can a change lower the safety factor?
No. In no case may the original safety factor be reduced.
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.