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General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

Other Portable Tools and Equipment

Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05

29 CFR 1910.244

29 CFR 1910.244 covers "other portable tools and equipment" not addressed by the portable-power-tool guarding standard: principally jacks (lever, ratchet, screw, and hydraulic) and abrasive blasting operations. For jacks, it requires that the operator ensure the jack has a rating sufficient for the load, that the rated load be marked on the jack, and that jacks be used and maintained safely; it also addresses abrasive blasting equipment.

29 CFR 1910.244 at a glance

What it covers
Other portable tools and equipment: jacks and abrasive blasting
Jack rating
The operator must ensure the jack can lift and sustain the load
Marking
The rated load must be legibly and permanently marked on the jack
Safe use
Stable footing, blocking the load, and not overloading
Abrasive blasting
Safe equipment and operation provisions
Max penalty (2026)
$16,550 per serious violation; $165,514 per willful

What 29 CFR 1910.244 requires (plain English)

29 CFR 1910.244 covers "other portable tools and equipment": the portable equipment not addressed by the powered-hand-tool guarding standard (1910.243). Its two main subjects are jacks and abrasive blasting.

For jacks (lever and ratchet, screw, and hydraulic jacks used to lift heavy loads) the standard's core rules are that the operator must make sure the jack used has a rating sufficient to lift and sustain the load; the rated load must be legibly and permanently marked in a prominent location on the jack; and jacks must be used on a firm foundation, centered under the load, with the load blocked or cribbed as it is raised so it cannot drop if the jack fails or slips. There are also requirements for inspecting and maintaining jacks.

The standard also addresses abrasive blasting equipment and operations. Throughout, 1910.244 targets the crushing and equipment-failure hazards of these portable tools: a jack that fails under an excessive load, or slips off poor footing, drops its heavy load onto whoever is beneath or beside it, which is why the rating, marking, and blocking rules matter.

The regulatory text

“The operator shall make sure that the jack used has a rating sufficient to lift and sustain the load.”
29 CFR 1910.244(a)(1)(i)

Key facts about 29 CFR 1910.244

  • The operator must ensure a jack has a rating sufficient to lift and sustain the load (1910.244(a)(1)(i)).
  • The rated load must be legibly and permanently marked on the jack.
  • Jacks must be used on a firm foundation and centered under the load.
  • The load must be blocked or cribbed as it is raised.
  • 1910.244 also covers abrasive blasting equipment and operations.
  • Jack failure or slipping drops the load: a crushing hazard.
  • It covers portable tools not addressed by 1910.243.

Scope: who 29 CFR 1910.244 applies to

Regulatory framework
General Industry (29 CFR 1910)
Citation reference
29 CFR 1910.244
Enforcement status
In force and enforced
Jurisdiction
Federal OSHA (29 State-Plan jurisdictions may be stricter)

State-Plan states (e.g. California, Washington, Michigan) operate OSHA-approved programs that must be at least as effective as federal OSHA and frequently impose higher penalties or additional requirements. Confirm the rule as adopted in your state.

Key requirements of 29 CFR 1910.244

#Employer obligation
1Clearly mark jack capacity rating
2Inspect jacks before each use
3Use on firm level surface
4Block load immediately after lifting
5Follow manufacturer specifications

Summarized from the text of 29 CFR 1910.244. Always read the full regulation for the binding language.

Common Other Portable Tools violations

Deficiencies OSHA cites under 29 CFR 1910.244 include the ones below, in no particular order. Distinct deficiencies can be cited as separate items, and each serious item carries up to $16,550 (2026). Broader per-instance stacking exists but is a discretionary, case-by-case OSHA enforcement policy, not an automatic multiplier.

  • Using a jack without a rating sufficient to lift and sustain the load (1910.244(a)(1)(i)).
  • Jack not marked with its rated load (1910.244(a)(1)(ii)).
  • Load not blocked or cribbed while raised on a jack (1910.244(a)(2)).
  • Jack used on unstable footing or not centered under the load (1910.244(a)(2)).
  • Unsafe abrasive-blasting equipment or operation (1910.244(b)).

A jack is not a support: block the load, and never exceed the jack's rating

Two jack mistakes cause most injuries. First, exceeding the RATING: workers grab whatever jack is handy without checking whether its rated capacity covers the load. 1910.244 requires the operator to make sure the jack can lift AND SUSTAIN the load, and the rated load must be marked on the jack, so there is no excuse for guessing. Second, treating the jack as a permanent support: a jack raises a load, but it can fail, leak down, or slip off poor footing. The load must be BLOCKED or cribbed as it goes up, so if the jack lets go, the blocking catches the load: no one should ever be under a load supported only by a jack. Overloading and failing to block are exactly how jacks kill.

What OSHA inspectors look for

A compliance officer checks that jacks are rated for and not overloaded by the loads they lift, that the rated capacity is legibly marked, that jacks are set on stable footing and the load is blocked, and that abrasive blasting is done safely. Overloaded or unmarked jacks and unblocked loads are common findings.

Example: how a violation is cited

A worker uses a jack rated below the load's weight to lift equipment; the jack fails and the load drops, crushing his hand. OSHA cites 1910.244 for using a jack without a rating sufficient to lift and sustain the load, with penalties from $16,550.

Illustrative example, not a specific OSHA case.

Other Portable Tools compliance checklist

Use this to evaluate your compliance with 29 CFR 1910.244. Each item is a key requirement OSHA may verify during an inspection.

  • Verify the jack's rated capacity covers the load before lifting.
  • Confirm the rated load is legibly and permanently marked on the jack.
  • Set the jack on a firm foundation, centered under the load.
  • Block or crib the load as it is raised; never rely on the jack alone to support it.
  • Inspect and maintain jacks and remove defective ones from service.
  • Operate abrasive-blasting equipment safely per the standard.

2026 penalties for 29 CFR 1910.244

Maximums set by 29 CFR 1903.15(d). 2026 amounts unchanged from 2025 (no CPI adjustment; OMB M-26-11). Not an increase. The 2025 OSHA penalty levels remain in effect for 2026; OSHA made no inflation adjustment for 2026. 29 CFR 1903.15 identifies January 15, 2025 as the effective reference for these amounts, while OSHA's public penalties page currently references penalties assessed after Jan. 15, 2026.

Violation typeMinimumMaximumWhen it applies
Serious$1,085$16,550Substantial probability of death or serious physical harm.
Other-Than-Serious$0$16,550Relates to safety/health but unlikely to cause death or serious harm.
Willful$11,823$165,514Intentional, knowing, or voluntary disregard of the requirement.
Repeated$4,256$165,514A substantially similar violation cited within the last 5 years.
Failure to AbateNone$16,550/dayup to $16,550 per day; total capped at 30x the daily amount (FOM Ch.6)

Jack and portable-equipment violations are cited in general-industry inspections. Serious violations reach $16,550 and willful or repeat violations $165,514.

Maximums and the willful minimum are set by 29 CFR 1903.15(d); the serious and repeated minimums are OSHA policy floors from its annual penalty adjustment memo. OSHA applies gravity-based and size, good-faith and history reductions (FOM CPL 02-00-164 Ch.6). Estimates only, not legal advice.

The business case for Other Portable Tools compliance

A jack holds a heavy load balanced on a small mechanism, and if it is overloaded, unmarked, on poor footing, or the load is not blocked, it can fail or tip and drop the load: a classic crushing fatality. 1910.244's simple rules: use a jack rated for the load, mark the rating, block the load, and use it on stable footing, are what prevent the load-drop crush injuries that jacks cause when misused.

Free compliance tools for 29 CFR 1910.244

Job Hazard Analysis BuilderPPE SelectorWeekly Site Safety Inspection

Other Portable Tools penalties by state

Penalties and enforcement vary by state. State-Plan states may impose higher penalties and additional requirements beyond federal 29 CFR 1910.244.

AlabamaArkansasColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of Columbia
View all 50 states + DC →

Frequently asked questions about 29 CFR 1910.244

What does OSHA 1910.244 cover?

1910.244 covers "other portable tools and equipment" not addressed by the portable-power-tool standard: mainly jacks and abrasive blasting. For jacks, it requires using a jack rated to lift and sustain the load, marking the rated load on the jack, and safe use (firm footing, centered load, and blocking the load as it is raised).

How do I use a jack safely under OSHA?

Under 1910.244, make sure the jack's rated capacity is sufficient to lift and sustain the load (the rating must be marked on the jack), set the jack on a firm foundation centered under the load, and block or crib the load as you raise it so it cannot drop if the jack fails. Never work under a load supported only by a jack.

Does a jack have to show its capacity?

Yes. Under 1910.244, the rated load must be legibly and permanently marked in a prominent location on the jack. This lets the operator confirm the jack is adequate for the load before lifting. An unmarked jack, or one used beyond its rating, is a common violation and a crushing hazard.

Why must a load on a jack be blocked?

Because a jack can fail, leak down, or slip off its footing, dropping the heavy load it was holding. 1910.244 requires blocking or cribbing the load as it is raised so that if the jack lets go, the blocking supports the load. This prevents the crushing injuries that occur when a load is left resting only on a jack.

Regulatory history of 29 CFR 1910.244

The 'other portable tools and equipment' provisions in 1910.244, covering jacks and abrasive blasting, were adopted from established national consensus standards when OSHA began in 1971. The jack rating, marking, and blocking requirements reflect long-standing practice for preventing the load-drop crushing injuries that misused jacks cause.

Related glossary terms

Key terms that appear in 29 CFR 1910.244, each with a full plain-English explainer.

Caught-In/BetweenStruck-ByHierarchy of ControlsPersonal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Related guides & articles

OSHA Machine Guarding Requirements Complete GuideOSHA Safety Training Requirements 2026

Related OSHA standards

29 CFR 1910.141

Sanitation

29 CFR 1910.142

Temporary Labor Camps

29 CFR 1910.144

Safety Color Code

29 CFR 1910.145

Safety Signs & Tags

Primary sources

OSHA figures on this page are imported from HazComFast's verified regulatory module (verified 2026-10-05 against eCFR, OSHA.gov, and the Federal Register).

This page is an educational summary, not legal advice. OSHA standards and penalty amounts change; confirm requirements against the current regulation and your applicable State-Plan before acting.

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OSHA does not give advance notice of inspections (29 CFR 1903.6). Get the binder in order before the opening conference, not during it.

Serious Violation

$16,550

per violation (max)

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