1926.1427 Crane Operator Certification: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Crane and derrick operators in construction must be trained, certified by an accredited testing organization or qualified through an audited employer program or licensed by a qualifying government entity, and evaluated by their employer before operating equipment independently. Employers must document the evaluation of each operator's competence. Operators-in-training may run equipment only under supervision of a trainer and with specified restrictions.
What the standard requires
- Ensure operators are certified or licensed as required
- Evaluate each operator's skills and knowledge before independent operation
- Document operator evaluations
- Supervise operators-in-training under specified limits
Hazards it addresses
- Crane tip-overs from operator error
- Dropped loads and boom collapse
Cited among contractors operating mobile, crawler, and tower cranes on construction projects.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.1427(a) | 15 | 15 | $4,965 | |
| 1926.1427(b)(4)(ii) | 2 | 2 | $14,895 | |
| 1926.1427(a)(1)(i) | 1 | 1 | $10,641 | |
| 1926.1427(b)(4)(i) | 1 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1926.1427(b)(5) | 1 | 1 | $0 | |
| 1926.1427(d) | 1 | 1 | $4,965 |
Penalties
Across 21 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $152,704 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $130,018, 15% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 81%; Other-than-serious 19%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 4 | 4 | $16,550 | $15,565 |
| Texas | 4 | 4 | $53,622 | $47,761 |
| Alaska | 2 | 2 | $14,965 | $10,758 |
| Michigan | 2 | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| New York | 2 | 2 | $29,790 | $29,790 |
| Florida | 1 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 |
| Indiana | 1 | 1 | $1,600 | $1,600 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 1 | $4,965 | $2,482 |
| Ohio | 1 | 1 | $5,958 | $0 |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 1 | $10,641 | $7,449 |
| Utah | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
By industry
- Construction: 18 inspections
- Real estate & rental: 2 inspections
- Manufacturing: 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gppc Inc. | Saipan, MP | Aug 19, 2026 | 1 | $10,641 | $10,641 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Highmark Construction, Inc. | Layton, UT | Aug 10, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 14, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Mya Construction LLC | Monroe, OH | Jul 17, 2026 | 1 | $5,958 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 21, 2026 | osha.gov |
| TBL LLC | Oak Point, TX | Jul 2, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $2,838 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jul 31, 2026 | osha.gov |
| LBW Turner LLP | Oak Point, TX | Jul 2, 2026 | 1 | $16,550 | $11,823 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jul 31, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Hacienda San Martin, Inc. | Dorado, PR | May 28, 2026 | 1 | $10,641 | $7,449 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Toledo Construction - Framing, LLC | Summerfield, NC | May 15, 2026 | 1 | $3,310 | $2,325 | Informal settlementAbatement due May 19, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Pytleski Finish Carpentry | Petoskey, MI | May 7, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due May 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Pytleski Brothers Building Incorporated | Petoskey, MI | May 7, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due May 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| HC Carpentry Inc. | Punta Gorda, FL | May 1, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jun 30, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Timber D Inc. | Crown Point, IN | Apr 24, 2026 | 1 | $1,600 | $1,600 | Final orderAbatement due Jun 10, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Strode and Sons | Nikiski, AK | Apr 21, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | Informal settlementAbatement due May 15, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Remote Alaska Solutions Inc. | Nikiski, AK | Apr 21, 2026 | 1 | $10,000 | $5,792 | Informal settlementAbatement due May 15, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Aqcc Framing Contractors Inc. | Angier, NC | Apr 2, 2026 | 1 | $6,620 | $6,620 | Final orderAbatement due Apr 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Wilsons Mills, NC | Jun 12, 2026 | 1 | $3,310 | $3,310 | Final orderAbatement due Feb 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| ORS Framing Inc. | Smithfield, NC | Mar 16, 2026 | 1 | $3,310 | $3,310 | Final orderAbatement due Jan 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| New York Hoist, LLC | Monroe, NY | Jan 16, 2026 | 1 | $14,895 | $14,895 | ContestedAbatement due Jan 23, 2026Contested Jan 22, 2026 | osha.gov |
| U.S. Crane & Rigging, LLC | Monroe, NY | Jan 16, 2026 | 1 | $14,895 | $14,895 | ContestedAbatement due Jan 23, 2026Contested Jan 22, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Williams Brothers Construction Co., Inc. | Wharton, TX | Jan 12, 2026 | 1 | $16,550 | $16,550 | ContestedAbatement due Jan 30, 2026Contested Jan 16, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Corolla Contracting, Inc. | Lawrence, MA | Dec 19, 2025 | 1 | $4,965 | $2,482 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Space Exploration Technologies Corp. | Brownsville, TX | Dec 18, 2025 | 1 | $16,550 | $16,550 | ContestedAbatement due Jan 7, 2026Contested Jan 14, 2026 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.1412 Crane Inspections (8 shared inspections)
- 1926.501 Fall Protection (7 shared inspections)
- 1926.1413 Crane Wire Rope Inspection (3 shared inspections)
- 1926.1428 Crane Signal Persons (3 shared inspections)
- 1926.503 Fall Protection Training (3 shared inspections)
- 1926.102 Eye and Face Protection (3 shared inspections)
- 1926.1425 Working Under Crane Loads (2 shared inspections)
- 1926.251 Rigging Equipment (2 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.1427 require?
Crane and derrick operators in construction must be trained, certified by an accredited testing organization or qualified through an audited employer program or licensed by a qualifying government entity, and evaluated by their employer before operating equipment independently. Employers must document the evaluation of each operator's competence. Operators-in-training may run equipment only under supervision of a trainer and with specified restrictions.
How often was 1926.1427 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.1427 (Crane Operator Certification) appeared in 21 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 21 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.1427 is cited most?
1926.1427(a) was the most-cited paragraph, with 15 items.
Which states cite 1926.1427 most often?
The most citations under 1926.1427 in this period were issued in North Carolina, Texas, Alaska.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.1427 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $4,965; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $3,972. Totals: $152,704 proposed, $130,018 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.1427 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 19% 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.