Operator stop work authority

Under 1926.1418 the operator has the authority to stop and refuse to handle loads whenever there is a concern as to safety until a qualified person determines the operation can proceed.

• This means the operator may immediately stop lifting, lowering, or moving a load if they believe a condition could endanger people or property.
• The requirement appears in the Crane and Derricks in Construction rules in Part 1926, so it applies to equipment covered by that Subpart CC.

Under 1926.1418 the crane or derrick operator must be given the authority to stop and refuse to handle loads when they have a safety concern.

• Employers must make clear that the operator — the person actually controlling the machine — has that authority.
• The standard does not prohibit other employees from calling attention to hazards, but it specifically requires that the operator be empowered to stop operations.

Under 1926.1418, any situation that creates a safety concern justifies the operator stopping work until a qualified person determines it is safe.

Examples of safety concerns include:

• Unsafe rigging or load attachment,
• Unexpected contact or proximity to power lines,
• Visible load instability or shifting,
• Unsafe ground or supporting conditions, and
• Unsafe actions by other workers (incorrect signaling or being in the fall zone).

Under 1926.1418 the operator must wait for a qualified person to determine safety before resuming, and a qualified person is someone the employer designates who has the knowledge and experience to identify hazards and specify corrective actions.

• Employers should designate who qualifies (for example, a supervisor, safety officer, or an engineer) and ensure that person has the training or experience to evaluate the specific hazard.
• While 1926.1418 requires waiting for a qualified person, employers should document their company’s designation and qualifications in their safety procedures.

Under 1926.1418 the operator should stop handling the load and retain control of the equipment until a qualified person determines it is safe to continue.

Practical immediate steps:

• Secure the load in a safe position (hold steady, set down if safe to do so),
• Notify the supervisor and the designated qualified person, and
• Keep personnel clear of the hazardous area until the qualified person inspects and approves resumption.

Under 1926.1418 the operator is empowered to refuse to handle a load when they have a safety concern, regardless of other crew members' comments.

• The operator’s authority to stop operations is independent and must be respected; the operator should await review by a qualified person before resuming.

Under 1926.1418 an operator may stop operations for any safety concern, including when workers in the vicinity lack required PPE.

• If PPE issues are the reason for stopping, the operator should notify the supervisor and a qualified person to address the PPE deficiency before resuming.
• Employers also have general PPE responsibilities and hazard assessment obligations, as discussed in OSHA’s PPE hazard assessment interpretation (see https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28) which explains employers must assess hazards and provide appropriate PPE where required.

Under 1926.1418 the requirement applies to operators covered by the Crane and Derricks in Construction rules (Subpart CC of Part 1926).

• That means operators of cranes and derricks that fall within Subpart CC must be given the authority to stop operations when they have a safety concern.

Under 1926.1418 the standard does not itself require the operator to document the stoppage, only that the operator has authority to stop until a qualified person determines safety.

• However, documenting the stoppage (who stopped, why, who inspected, corrective actions) is a recommended best practice for accountability and lessons learned, and employers may include documentation requirements in their site procedures.

Under 1926.1418 the operator may stop operations for any safety concern, including suspected hazardous materials on the load.

• If asbestos is suspected, follow OSHA’s asbestos-in-construction requirements; OSHA explains asbestos in construction is covered by 29 CFR 1926.1101 and provides guidance in its asbestos remediation interpretation (see https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-11-14).
• Stop the lift, isolate the area, and wait for the qualified person trained in hazardous-materials response to assess and clear the situation.

Under 1926.1418 the operator is explicitly given the authority to stop operations when a safety concern exists, and employers should not impede that authority.

• While the standard does not specifically address disciplinary actions, employers should have policies that encourage stop-work reporting and prohibit retaliatory discipline for good-faith safety actions.
• Employers can reinforce this through written procedures and training to ensure operators feel confident exercising the authority.

Under 1926.1418 an employer should have a clear policy that gives the operator authority to stop operations and outlines steps to follow after a stop.

Suggested policy elements:

• A clear statement that operators have stop-work authority, referencing 1926.1418,
• Who qualifies as the designated "qualified person" and how to contact them,
• Immediate actions to secure the load and control the area,
• Reporting, inspection, and documentation procedures, and
• A non-retaliation clause to protect operators who stop work in good faith.

Under 1926.1418 the operator must be able to stop until a qualified person determines safety, but the standard does not specifically require that a qualified person be on site at all times.

• Employers should ensure that a qualified person is available by phone or on site as needed and that the response time is reasonable for the work being performed.
• As a best practice, employers should plan work so a qualified person can promptly assess conditions when an operator stops operations.

Under 1926.1418 the operator — regardless of which employer (prime or subcontractor) employs them — must have the authority to stop and refuse to handle loads when they have a safety concern.

• Site hosts and contractors should coordinate to ensure all operators on the jobsite understand and are empowered to exercise that authority, and that a qualified person is available to evaluate safety concerns.

Under 1926.1418 the operator should stop handling the load and then use established site communications to notify the crew, supervisor, and designated qualified person.

Practical steps:

• Use standard hand or radio signals if safe to do so,
• Announce the stop clearly so other workers leave the danger area, and
• Confirm that the qualified person has been notified and is responding before anyone re-enters the hazard zone.

Under 1926.1418 an operator must not resume handling loads until a qualified person has determined that safety has been assured.

• Resuming work without that determination would be contrary to the standard; the operator should wait for the qualified person’s assessment and any required corrective actions.

Under 1926.1418 employers should train operators on when and how to stop operations and the follow-up process involving a qualified person.

Training should cover:

• The operator’s stop-work authority and encouragement to act on safety concerns,
• Examples of safety conditions that warrant stopping,
• Procedures for securing loads and communicating the stop, and
• How to contact the designated qualified person and expected follow-up steps.

Employers should incorporate the stop-work policy into operator qualifications and toolbox talks so it becomes standard practice.

Under 1926.1418 the operator’s authority to stop is a specific requirement within the Crane and Derricks in Construction rules and complements other OSHA safety rules and employer responsibilities for hazard assessment and worker protection.

• For example, if the stop involves a suspected hazardous material, employers must follow the applicable standards (such as asbestos rules in 29 CFR 1926.1101 discussed in OSHA’s interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-11-14).
• Employers’ general obligations to assess hazards and provide protective measures also support the stop-work process (see PPE hazard assessment interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28).

Under 1926.1418 the standard does not mandate records for operator-initiated stops, but good practice is to record the event to help prevent recurrence.

Helpful record elements:

• Date, time, and operator name,
• Description of the safety concern,
• Name of the qualified person who evaluated the condition,
• Corrective actions taken and time work resumed, and
• Any training or follow-up required.

Keeping such records supports improvement of site safety programs and helps demonstrate that stop-work authority is being used properly.