Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees". Section 5(a)(2) requires employers to "comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act".

Note: Twenty-four states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

• 1910 Subpart N, Materials handling and storage
  • 1910.179, Overhead and gantry cranes
  • 1910.180, Crawler locomotive and truck cranes
  • 1910.181, Derricks
  • 1910.183, Helicopters
• 1910 Subpart S, Electrical
  • Appendix A, Reference documents

Marine Terminals (29 CFR 1917)

• 1917 Subpart D, Specialized terminals
  • 1917.71, Terminals handling intermodal containers or roll-on roll-off operations
• 1917 Subpart F, Terminal facilities
  • 1917.116, Elevators and escalators

Longshoring (29 CFR 1918)

• 1918 Subpart F, Vessel's cargo handling gear
  • 1918.51, General requirements (See also 1918.11 and Appendix III of this part)
  • 1918.55, Cranes (See also 1918.11)
• 1918 Subpart G, Cargo handling gear and equipment other than ship's gear
  • 1918.62, Miscellaneous auxiliary gear
  • 1918.66, Cranes and derricks other than vessel's gear
• 1918 Subpart H, Handling cargo
  • 1918.81, Slinging
  • 1918.85, Containerized cargo operations
• 1918 Subpart I, General working conditions
  • 1918.98, Qualifications of machinery operators and supervisory training
• 1918 Subpart J, Personal protective equipment
  • 1918.105, Other protective measures
    • Appendix I, Cargo gear register and certificates (Non-mandatory)

Gear Certification (29 CFR 1919)

• 1919.2, Definition of terms
• 1919.12, Recordkeeping and related procedures concerning records in custody of the vessel
• 1919.15, Periodic tests, examinations and inspections
• 1919.16, Heat treatment
• 1919.21, Marking and posting of safe working loads
• 1919.24, Limitations on use of wire rope
• 1919.28, Unit proof tests-cranes and gear accessory thereto
• 1919.73, Unit proof test and examination of derricks
• 1919.75, Determination of crane or derrick safe working loads and limitations in absence of manufacturer's data

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

• 1926 Subpart K, Electrical
  • 1926.406, Specific purpose equipment and installations
• 1926 Subpart N, Cranes, derricks, hoists, elevators, and conveyors
  • 1926.550, Cranes and derricks
  • 1926.551, Helicopters
  • 1926.552, Material hoists, personnel hoists, and elevators
  • 1926.553, Base-mounted drum hoists
  • 1926.554, Overhead hoists
  • 1926.555, Conveyors
  • 1926.556, Aerial lifts
• 1926 Subpart V, Power transmission and distribution
  • 1926.953, Material handling. Regulations for crane and hoist signaling will be found in applicable American National Standards Institute standards.

• The OSHA Regulatory Agenda contains an entry related to crane, derrick, and hoist safety.

• Safety Standards for Cranes and Derricks. Notice 68:35172, (2003, June 12).
• Safety Standards for Cranes and Derricks. Notice 68:9036-9037, (2003, February 27). Links to a notice of proposed Negotiated Rulemaking Committee membership; request for comments. Comments must be received by March 31, 2003.
• Safety Standards for Cranes and Derricks. Meeting 69:12098, (2004, March 15). Notice of cancellation of March 29, 30, and 31, 2004 Crane and Derrick Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee meeting.
• Safety Standards for Cranes and Derricks. Meeting 69:22748-22749, (2004, April 27). OSHA announces a meeting of the Crane and Derrick Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee on June 2, 3, and 4.
• Safety Standards for Cranes and Derricks. Proposed Rules 69:27870, (2004, May 17). OSHA announced that the Crane and Derrick Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee (C-DAC) extended the dates and times of the June meeting in Phoenix, AZ. The meeting will be on June 1, 2, 3 and 4, 2004.
• Search all available Federal Registers.

• Enforcement of Cargo Gear Regulations and the Requirements for Gear Certification in the Maritime Program. CPL 02-01-039 [CPL 2-1.39], (2003, March 24). Provides national, regional and area offices, interested industry groups, and state and federal agencies guidance concerning OSHA's policy and procedures on the enforcement of gear certification standards in the maritime industry.
• HAZARD ALERT -- Use of 4 x 29 Wire Rope as Cargo Runner (Hoisting Wire). STD 02-01-009 [STD 2-1.9], (1990, October 1). Issues a hazard alert for 4 X 29 classification wire rope having a 1-1/4-inch (1.25-inch) outside diameter (O.D.) used as a cargo runner (hoisting wire).
• Interpretation of "Normal Operating Conditions" for Overhead and Gantry Cranes, and Derricks. STD 03-12-004 [STD 3-12.4], (1982, February 8).
• 29 CFR 1926.605(a)(1) as Applied to Marine Construction. STD 03-13-002 [STD 3-13.2], (1982, July 15). Discusses testing and certification of construction equipment used to handle cargo.
• Search all available directives.

• A worm drive gearbox is not considered to be a holding brake. (2005, November 15).
• Holding brake requirements on overhead cranes. (1996, November 8).
• Interpretation of the overhead and gantry cranes standard. (1996, September 26).
• The new fall protection provisions of Subpart M and their application to various types of aerial lifts. (1995, March 27).
• PPM crane repairs. (1995, January 18). Repair of a crane boom without manufacturer authorization.
• Crane overload tests must be performed according to the manufacturers specifications and limitations. (1993, November 10).
• Lifting of two empty containers that are vertically coupled by twist locks. (1993, September 2).
• Use of personnel platforms suspended from cranes and derricks. (1992, March 3).
• Use of crane or derrick suspended personnel platforms. (1992, February 18).
• Cardiovascular Stress and the use of Crane or Derrick Suspended Personnel Platforms. (1992, February 18).
• Use of Cranes to Lift Personnel in Drilled Pier Operations. (1992, January 28).
• The use of crane or derrick suspended personnel platforms (CDSPP) during stack and chimney erection. (1995, September 5).
• Suspended personnel platforms. (1993, February 17).
• Inspection of cranes used at a construction site. (1993, February 1).
• Elevator Hazards During Construction. (1992, February 25).
• Construction crane certifications. (1981, August 18).
• Search all available standard interpretations.