OSHA 1926.1424(a)(2): crane swing radius barriers
Under 29 CFR 1926.1424(a)(2), where a crane’s rotating superstructure could strike or pinch an employee in an accessible area, the employer must train authorized personnel to recognize those hazard areas and mark their boundaries with control lines, warning lines, railings or similar barriers.
Official text
(a)(1) The requirements in paragraph (a)(2) of this section apply where there are accessible areas in which the equipment's rotating superstructure (whether permanently or temporarily mounted) poses a reasonably foreseeable risk of: (i) Striking and injuring an employee; or (ii) Pinching/crushing an employee against another part of the equipment or another object.Read the full section on eCFR
(a)(2) To prevent employees from entering these hazard areas, the employer must: (i) Train each employee assigned to work on or near the equipment (“authorized personnel”) in how to recognize struck-by and pinch/crush hazard areas posed by the rotating superstructure. (ii) Erect and maintain control lines, warning lines, railings or similar barriers to mark the boundaries of the hazard areas. Exception: When the employer can demonstrate that it is neither feasible to erect such barriers on the ground nor on the equipment, the hazard areas must be clearly marked by a combination of warning signs (such as “Danger—Swing/Crush Zone”) and high visibility markings on the equipment that identify the hazard areas. In addition, the employer must train each employee to understand what these markings signify.Read the full section on eCFR
(a)(3) Protecting employees in the hazard area. (i) Before an employee goes to a location in the hazard area that is out of view of the operator, the employee (or someone instructed by the employee) must ensure that the operator is informed that he/she is going to that location. (ii) Where the operator knows that an employee went to a location covered by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the operator must not rotate the superstructure until the operator is informed in accordance with a pre-arranged system of communication that the employee is in a safe position.Read the full section on eCFR
What it requires, in plain English
- The rule applies to accessible areas where the rotating superstructure poses a reasonably foreseeable risk of striking an employee or pinching one against the equipment or another object.
- Each employee assigned to work on or near the equipment is trained to recognize struck-by and pinch/crush hazard areas.
- Hazard area boundaries are marked with control lines, warning lines, railings or similar barriers. Where barriers aren’t feasible on the ground or on the equipment, warning signs and high-visibility markings are used, and employees are trained on what they mean.
- Before an employee goes into the hazard area out of the operator’s view, the operator is informed, and the operator doesn’t rotate until told through a pre-arranged system that the employee is in a safe position.
Where it shows up on site
- A counterweight swinging close to a wall, stacked material or a parked truck with no barrier
- Workers cutting through the swing area to reach a laydown yard
- Swing radius tape knocked down and not put back
Verify on site before you call it
A photo rarely shows every fact a standard depends on. Confirm these in person before treating the condition as a violation:
- Can the counterweight or superstructure reach an accessible area where someone could be struck or pinched against an object?
- Is it feasible to erect barriers on the ground or on the equipment, or is the site relying on signs and markings under the exception?
- Have the employees working on or near the equipment been trained to recognize the struck-by and pinch/crush hazard areas?
- Is there a pre-arranged communication system for entering the hazard area out of the operator’s view?
Typical corrective actions
- Erect control lines, warning lines or railings around the swing radius, including pinch points against nearby objects.
- Train authorized personnel to recognize struck-by and pinch/crush hazard areas.
- Set a pre-arranged signal so the operator is told before anyone enters the hazard area out of view.
- Move stored material or vehicles that create pinch points within the swing radius.
Common questions
Does OSHA require barricades around a crane’s swing radius?
Where the rotating superstructure poses a reasonably foreseeable struck-by or pinch/crush risk in accessible areas, 1926.1424(a)(2)(ii) requires control lines, warning lines, railings or similar barriers. Signs and markings alone are allowed only when barriers aren’t feasible on the ground or on the equipment.
Who has to be trained on crane swing hazards?
Each employee assigned to work on or near the equipment, called authorized personnel, must be trained to recognize struck-by and pinch/crush hazard areas posed by the rotating superstructure, under 1926.1424(a)(2)(i).
Turn the observation into a notice
Record what the photo shows, confirm the on-site checks above, and identify the responsible company and due date. Use the fillable construction safety notice template or follow aworked example from observation to verified fix. Cirqify can draft the notice from your circled photo for you to review.
Related standards
This guide summarizes federal OSHA construction standards for general information. It is not legal advice. States with their own OSHA-approved plans may set different or additional requirements; see federal and state coverage.