1926.1428 Crane Signal Persons: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Before a worker acts as a signal person for crane or derrick operations, the employer must ensure that the person is qualified, either through a qualified third-party evaluator or through the employer's own qualified evaluator. A qualified signal person must know and understand the signal type used, be competent in its application, and have a basic understanding of equipment operation and limitations, including boom deflection.
What the standard requires
- Use only qualified signal persons for crane operations
- Verify qualification through a third-party or employer evaluator
- Document qualification and make it available at the site
- Retrain signal persons who show deficiencies
Hazards it addresses
- Struck-by and crushing incidents from miscommunication
- Load drops and contact with power lines
Cited at construction sites where crane lifts are directed by untrained ground personnel.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.1428(a) | Signal persons must be qualified through either a third-party qualified evaluator or the employer's qualified evaluator. | 9 | 9 | $1,000 |
| 1926.1428(a)(3) | Signal persons must be qualified through either a third-party qualified evaluator or the employer's qualified evaluator. | 5 | 5 | $0 |
| 1926.1428(c)(1) | Qualification requirements: knowledge of signals, competence in application, and basic understanding of equipment operation. | 4 | 4 | $1,000 |
Penalties
Across 18 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $37,265 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $28,072, 25% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 50%; Other-than-serious 50%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 7 | 8 | $5,750 | $5,260 |
| Michigan | 4 | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Alaska | 1 | 1 | $10,000 | $5,792 |
| Florida | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Maine | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| New York | 1 | 1 | $6,620 | $6,620 |
| Texas | 1 | 1 | $14,895 | $10,400 |
By industry
- Construction: 17 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinsley Steel, Inc. | Laurel, MD | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | OpenAbatement due Sep 24, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 14, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Shapiro & Duncan, Inc. | Laurel, MD | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | OpenAbatement due Sep 24, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 14, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Roger General Construction LLC | Hagerstown, MD | Aug 18, 2026 | 2 | $1,000 | $1,000 | OpenAbatement due Aug 26, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 9, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Infinity Commercial and Industrial Concrete LLC | San Antonio, TX | Jul 30, 2026 | 1 | $14,895 | $10,400 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 25, 2026 | osha.gov |
| American Aerial Services, Inc. | Augusta, ME | Jun 30, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Frederick, MD | May 15, 2026 | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Final orderAbatement due May 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Pytleski Brothers Building Incorporated | Petoskey, MI | May 7, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due May 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Pytleski Finish Carpentry | Petoskey, MI | May 7, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due May 27, 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 |
| Active Air Technologies, Inc. | Saint Clair Shores, MI | Mar 26, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 14, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Olsen and Olsen Building Contractors, Inc. | Manistique, MI | Mar 17, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Kronos Carpentry Inc. | Pittsfield, NH | Jan 5, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Jan 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Master Builders Carpentry Construction LLC | Frederick, MD | Dec 5, 2025 | 1 | $1,000 | $510 | Informal settlementAbatement due Dec 15, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Liberty Rebar, Inc. | Merritt Island, FL | Dec 4, 2025 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Dec 23, 2025 | osha.gov |
| L.m.g.m. Construction, LLC | New Market, MD | Nov 21, 2025 | 1 | $1,250 | $1,250 | Informal settlementAbatement due Dec 3, 2025 | osha.gov |
| R a C Construction, LLC | Salisbury, MD | Oct 28, 2025 | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Final orderAbatement due Nov 5, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Shocon, Inc. | Tuxedo Park, NY | Oct 27, 2025 | 1 | $6,620 | $6,620 | ContestedAbatement due Nov 4, 2025Contested Nov 18, 2025 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.501 Fall Protection (9 shared inspections)
- 1926.503 Fall Protection Training (7 shared inspections)
- 1926.102 Eye and Face Protection (6 shared inspections)
- 1926.1053 Ladder Safety (5 shared inspections)
- 1926.20 Construction Safety Programs (4 shared inspections)
- 1926.100 Hard Hats (3 shared inspections)
- 1926.1412 Crane Inspections (3 shared inspections)
- 1926.1427 Crane Operator Certification (3 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.1428 require?
Before a worker acts as a signal person for crane or derrick operations, the employer must ensure that the person is qualified, either through a qualified third-party evaluator or through the employer's own qualified evaluator. A qualified signal person must know and understand the signal type used, be competent in its application, and have a basic understanding of equipment operation and limitations, including boom deflection.
How often was 1926.1428 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.1428 (Crane Signal Persons) appeared in 17 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 18 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.1428 is cited most?
1926.1428(a) was the most-cited paragraph, with 9 items: Signal persons must be qualified through either a third-party qualified evaluator or the employer's qualified evaluator.
Which states cite 1926.1428 most often?
The most citations under 1926.1428 in this period were issued in Maryland, Michigan, Alaska.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.1428 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $0; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $0. Totals: $37,265 proposed, $28,072 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.1428 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 6% 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.