1926.1408 Crane Power Line Safety: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Before operating cranes and derricks, employers must identify the work zone and determine whether any part of the equipment, load line, or load could get closer than 20 feet to a power line up to 350 kV. If so, they must deenergize and ground the line, keep a 20-foot clearance with encroachment prevention measures, or use the Table A minimum clearance with those measures, such as planning meetings, spotters, and warning lines.
What the standard requires
- Identify the work zone and power lines before operating equipment
- Deenergize the line or maintain at least 20 feet of clearance
- Hold a planning meeting with the operator and crew
- Use dedicated spotters, warning lines, or proximity devices to prevent encroachment
Hazards it addresses
- Electrocution from boom or load line contact
- Arcing to equipment and nearby workers
Cited among crane, roofing, building materials delivery, and tree service operations near overhead lines.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.1408(a)(2) | Employer must determine whether equipment could get closer than 20 feet to a power line and choose a compliance option. | 5 | 5 | $11,585 |
| 1926.1408(g)(1) | 5 | 5 | $0 | |
| 1926.1408(a) | 4 | 4 | $1,750 | |
| 1926.1408(a)(1) | Employer must identify the work zone around the equipment. | 3 | 3 | $16,550 |
| 1926.1408(a)(2)(ii) | Employer must determine whether equipment could get closer than 20 feet to a power line and choose a compliance option. | 1 | 1 | $4,965 |
| 1926.1408(b) | 1 | 1 | $16,550 | |
| 1926.1408(d)(1) | 1 | 1 | $4,965 |
Penalties
Across 20 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $137,123 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $105,206, 23% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 100%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 4 | 6 | $8,800 | $7,050 |
| Illinois | 2 | 4 | $26,008 | $26,008 |
| Rhode Island | 2 | 3 | $7,980 | $5,015 |
| Arizona | 1 | 1 | $16,550 | $16,550 |
| Florida | 1 | 2 | $23,170 | $15,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 1 | $4,965 | $2,482 |
| Minnesota | 1 | 2 | $33,100 | $33,100 |
| Texas | 1 | 1 | $16,550 | $0 |
By industry
- Construction: 11 inspections
- Manufacturing: 2 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Crane Midwest LLC | Chicago, IL | Aug 13, 2026 | 2 | $9,458 | $9,458 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 25, 2026Contested Sep 1, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Praxel Line Services LLC | Saint Paul, MN | Jun 3, 2026 | 2 | $33,100 | $33,100 | ContestedAbatement due Jun 8, 2026Contested Jun 19, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Judlau Contracting, Inc. | Berkeley, IL | May 19, 2026 | 2 | $16,550 | $16,550 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jul 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| GLR, Inc. | Trenton, MI | Apr 10, 2026 | 1 | $4,900 | $4,900 | Final orderAbatement due Apr 29, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Skyline Crane Service Incorporated | Trenton, MI | Apr 10, 2026 | 2 | $700 | $350 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 29, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Northern Sign Company, Inc. | Trenton, MI | Apr 10, 2026 | 2 | $2,800 | $1,400 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 29, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Anytime Hoisting Service Inc. | Saint Clair Shores, MI | Mar 26, 2026 | 1 | $400 | $400 | ContestedAbatement due Apr 14, 2026Contested May 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Safety Contractors, Inc. | Jacksonville, FL | Mar 11, 2026 | 2 | $23,170 | $15,000 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Cranston Crane LLC | Providence, RI | Dec 30, 2025 | 2 | $4,965 | $2,000 | Formal settlementAbatement due Feb 17, 2026Contested Mar 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Gma S Constructions & Renovations LLC | Providence, RI | Dec 30, 2025 | 1 | $3,015 | $3,015 | Final orderAbatement due Feb 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Corolla Contracting, Inc. | Lawrence, MA | Dec 19, 2025 | 1 | $4,965 | $2,482 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| United Group Services Inc. | Hereford, TX | Oct 24, 2025 | 1 | $16,550 | $0 | Formal settlementAbatement due Feb 2, 2026Contested Nov 24, 2025 | osha.gov |
| JW Civil LLC | Tucson, AZ | Oct 16, 2025 | 1 | $16,550 | $16,550 | OpenAbatement due Oct 19, 2025Contest deadline ~Nov 6, 2025 (est.) | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.100 Hard Hats (4 shared inspections)
- 1926.1412 Crane Inspections (3 shared inspections)
- 1926.652 Trench Cave-In Protection (1 shared inspections)
- 1926.651 Excavation Safety (1 shared inspections)
- 1926.416 Electrical Work Practices (1 shared inspections)
- 1926.1427 Crane Operator Certification (1 shared inspections)
- 1926.1424 Crane Swing Radius (1 shared inspections)
- 1926.501 Fall Protection (1 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.1408 require?
Before operating cranes and derricks, employers must identify the work zone and determine whether any part of the equipment, load line, or load could get closer than 20 feet to a power line up to 350 kV. If so, they must deenergize and ground the line, keep a 20-foot clearance with encroachment prevention measures, or use the Table A minimum clearance with those measures, such as planning meetings, spotters, and warning lines.
How often was 1926.1408 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.1408 (Crane Power Line Safety) appeared in 13 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 20 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.1408 is cited most?
1926.1408(a)(2) was the most-cited paragraph, with 5 items: Employer must determine whether equipment could get closer than 20 feet to a power line and choose a compliance option.
Which states cite 1926.1408 most often?
The most citations under 1926.1408 in this period were issued in Michigan, Illinois, Rhode Island.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.1408 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $4,932; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $2,241. Totals: $137,123 proposed, $105,206 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.1408 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 40% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.