Construction (29 CFR 1926)

Cranes and Derricks in Construction – Scope

Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05

29 CFR 1926.1400

29 CFR 1926.1400 sets the scope and application of Subpart CC, OSHA's comprehensive construction cranes and derricks standard. It defines which power-operated equipment is covered and frames the subpart's core protections: power-line safety, qualified and certified operators, assembly and disassembly procedures, and keeping workers clear of suspended loads.

29 CFR 1926.1400 at a glance

What it requires: Defines the scope of OSHA's construction cranes and derricks standard (Subpart CC)
Covered: Power-operated equipment used in construction that can hoist, lower, and horizontally move a suspended load
Examples: Mobile cranes, tower cranes, crawler cranes, articulating cranes, derricks, and more
Operators: Crane operators must be certified/qualified (1926.1427)
Max penalty (2026): $16,550 per serious violation; $165,514 per willful
The #1 confusion: Equipment that only hoists (no horizontal movement) may fall outside the crane rule

What 29 CFR 1926.1400 requires (plain English)

29 CFR 1926.1400 is the scope provision of Subpart CC: OSHA's comprehensive standard for cranes and derricks in construction. Cranes lift enormous loads over workers and the public, often near power lines, and their failures: tip-overs, dropped loads, boom collapses, and power-line contacts; are frequently fatal and can injure many people at once. Subpart CC (1926.1400 through 1926.1442) sets detailed requirements for assembly, inspection, operation, operator qualification, and power-line safety; 1926.1400 defines exactly which equipment those requirements cover.

The scope is defined functionally: the standard applies to power-operated equipment, when used in construction, that can hoist, lower, and horizontally move a suspended load. That three-part capability (hoist, lower, AND move horizontally) is what makes a machine a crane under the rule. Covered equipment includes articulating cranes, crawler cranes, mobile (truck and rough-terrain) cranes, tower cranes, pedestal and portal cranes, overhead and gantry cranes, sideboom cranes, service/mechanic's trucks with a hoisting device, and derricks, among others. The breadth of coverage reflects how many different machines perform crane work on modern construction sites.

The scope section also draws important boundaries. Subpart CC excludes certain equipment, for example, machinery that has been converted or adapted for a non-hoisting use (like a power shovel or concrete pump), digging equipment such as excavators and backhoes when used for digging, forklifts (except when configured to hoist a suspended load with certain attachments), automotive wreckers, and a handful of other specifically listed items. Knowing whether a machine is covered matters enormously, because if it is, the full weight of Subpart CC (operator certification (1926.1427), inspections, assembly/disassembly rules, and the power-line clearance requirements) applies.

What the source requires, in summary

This standard applies to power-operated equipment, when used in construction, that can hoist, lower and horizontally move a suspended load.

29 CFR 1926.1400(a)Summarized, not quoted: read the source for its operative wording.

Key facts about 29 CFR 1926.1400

1926.1400 defines the scope of Subpart CC (Cranes and Derricks in Construction).
Coverage is functional: equipment that can hoist, lower, AND horizontally move a suspended load.
Covered: mobile, crawler, tower, articulating, pedestal, portal, overhead/gantry, and sideboom cranes, and derricks.
Excluded: equipment converted to non-hoisting use, excavators/backhoes digging, most forklifts, automotive wreckers, and other listed items.
If covered, the full Subpart CC applies: inspections, assembly, operation, and power-line safety.
Crane operators must be certified/qualified under 1926.1427.
Power-line contact is a leading cause of crane fatalities, addressed by specific clearance rules in Subpart CC.

Scope: who 29 CFR 1926.1400 applies to

Regulatory framework: Construction (29 CFR 1926)
Citation reference: 29 CFR 1926.1400
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 1926.1400

#	Employer obligation
1	Apply to all power-operated equipment used to hoist
2	Understand exemptions (forklifts, digger derricks used for poles)
3	Determine applicable subpart for specific equipment type

Summarized from the text of 29 CFR 1926.1400. Always read the full regulation for the binding language.

Reference provision: definitions & scope

This section defines the terms or the applicability used by neighboring standards; it is not usually a standalone employer duty. When OSHA cites an employer, the citation issues under the substantive standard that uses these definitions. For example, a missing competent person is cited under the standard that requires one. Use this page to get the definitions right, and see the related standards below for the enforceable duties.

'Hoist, lower, AND move horizontally' defines a crane

The scope turns on a specific three-part capability, and getting it wrong changes which rules apply. Under 1926.1400(a), Subpart CC covers power-operated construction equipment that can hoist, lower, AND horizontally move a suspended load. All three must be present. This is why some equipment that merely lifts is outside the crane rule, and why the standard carefully lists exclusions: an excavator digging a trench is not doing crane work, but the same excavator rigged to hoist and place a pipe over the trench may be. Forklifts are generally excluded, but a forklift configured with a winch or hook to handle a suspended load can come under the rule. Misclassifying a machine means either missing the extensive Subpart CC requirements (operator certification, inspections, power-line clearances) that should apply, or applying crane rules to equipment they were not written for.

Crane Rule Scope compliance checklist

Use this to evaluate your compliance with 29 CFR 1926.1400. Each item is a key requirement OSHA may verify during an inspection.

Determine whether the equipment hoists, lowers, AND moves a suspended load horizontally (covered by Subpart CC).
If covered, use only certified/qualified operators (1926.1427) and qualified signal persons/riggers as required.
Assess and maintain the required clearances from power lines before and during operation.
Follow the assembly/disassembly, inspection, and operation requirements of Subpart CC.
Do not exceed the manufacturer's rated capacity; use the load chart for the configuration.
Confirm exclusions carefully: a machine's task, not just its type, can bring it under the crane rule.

Free compliance tools for 29 CFR 1926.1400

Crane Lift Plan Calculator

Crane Rule Scope penalties by state

Penalties and enforcement vary by state. State-Plan states may impose higher penalties and additional requirements beyond federal 29 CFR 1926.1400.

Alabama Arkansas Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia

View all 50 states + DC →

Frequently asked questions about 29 CFR 1926.1400

What equipment is covered by OSHA's crane standard?

Under 1926.1400(a), Subpart CC applies to power-operated equipment, when used in construction, that can hoist, lower, and horizontally move a suspended load. This includes mobile cranes, crawler cranes, tower cranes, articulating (knuckle-boom) cranes, pedestal and portal cranes, overhead and gantry cranes, sideboom cranes, service trucks with a hoisting device, and derricks, among others. The defining feature is the ability to hoist, lower, AND move a suspended load horizontally.

What equipment is NOT covered by the crane standard?

Subpart CC excludes several types of equipment: machinery converted or adapted for a non-hoisting use (such as a power shovel or concrete pump), digging equipment like excavators and backhoes when used for digging, most forklifts (except when configured to hoist a suspended load with certain attachments), automotive wreckers, dedicated drilling rigs, gin poles used for communication-tower work, and other specifically listed items. Whether a machine is covered can depend on the task it is performing, not just its type.

Do crane operators need to be certified?

Yes. Under 1926.1427, operators of most cranes covered by Subpart CC must be certified or qualified, and the employer must ensure the operator is competent to operate the equipment safely. Certification is obtained through an accredited testing organization (or an equivalent employer/audited program) and is specific to the equipment type; a certifying body may also issue by type and capacity, but capacity-based certification is not required. Operator certification is one of the cornerstone requirements of the 2010 crane rule.

Why is power-line contact such a focus of the crane standard?

Because contact between a crane (or its load line) and an energized power line is one of the leading causes of crane-related fatalities, often electrocuting multiple workers at once. Subpart CC (1926.1407–.1411) devotes extensive requirements to power-line safety: assessing the work zone, maintaining minimum clearance distances, de-energizing lines where possible, and using dedicated spotters. Keeping the crane and its load a safe distance from energized lines is a central duty under the standard.

Regulatory history of 29 CFR 1926.1400

Subpart CC (1926.1400–.1442) was issued in 2010, replacing the decades-old crane provisions with a comprehensive, modern standard covering assembly, operation, inspection, operator qualification, and power-line safety. 1926.1400 sets the functional scope, and the operator-certification requirement (1926.1427) became fully effective after a phase-in, reflecting the high stakes of crane work.

Related glossary terms

Key terms that appear in 29 CFR 1926.1400, each with a full plain-English explainer.

Competent Person Qualified Person Struck-By Caught-In/Between

Related guides & articles

OSHA Top 10 Most-Cited Violations 2026

Related OSHA standards

29 CFR 1926.251

Rigging Equipment

29 CFR 1926.1436

Derricks

29 CFR 1926.1404

Crane Assembly/Disassembly

29 CFR 1926.1408

Crane Power Line Safety

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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