Subpart CC
They apply whenever a crane or derrick is mounted on or used from a barge, pontoon, vessel, or other means of flotation — except when a barge is jacked and fully supported by the jacks. See 1926.1437(a).
The work area control rules in 1926.1424 apply to floating cranes/derricks, except for 1926.1424(a)(2)(ii). See 1926.1437(c)(1) for the exception and see 1926.1424 for the full work-area-control requirements.
You must either erect and maintain physical barriers (control lines, warning lines, railings, or similar) or clearly mark the hazard areas with warning signs and high-visibility markings on the equipment and train employees to recognize them. See 1926.1437(c)(2)(i) and 1926.1437(c)(2)(ii).
No — 1926.1425 does not apply to floating cranes/derricks; the floating-crane section provides its own requirements. See 1926.1437(d).
You must provide a list-and-trim device located at the operator's station (or cab), a positive equipment house lock, and a wind speed and direction indicator when a competent person determines wind is a factor. See 1926.1437(e)(1), 1926.1437(e)(2), and 1926.1437(e)(3).
An anti two-block device is required only when hoisting personnel or hoisting over an occupied cofferdam or shaft. See 1926.1437(f)(1).
No — the specific provision in 1926.1416(e)(4) about load weighing and similar devices does not apply to dragline, clamshell (grapple), magnet, drop ball, container handling, concrete bucket, and pile driving work performed under 1926.1437. See 1926.1437(f)(2) and 1926.1416(e)(4).
If there is no cab, rated capacities (load charts) must be posted at the operator’s station (or on the equipment for a movable operator station), and operating procedures, recommended speeds, hazard warnings, instructions, and the operator's manual must be readily available on board the vessel/flotation device. See 1926.1437(g)(1) and 1926.1437(g)(2).
You must perform shift inspections, monthly inspections, an annual external inspection by a qualified person, and a four‑year internal survey by a marine engineer or similar qualified surveyor, and document the required inspections. See 1926.1437(h)(1), 1926.1437(h)(2), 1926.1437(h)(4), and 1926.1437(h)(5).
During each shift and monthly inspection, you must ensure the means used to secure/attach the equipment to the vessel/flotation device are in proper condition, checking for wear, corrosion, loose or missing fasteners, defective welds, and, when applicable, insufficient tension. See 1926.1437(h)(1) and 1926.1437(h)(2)(i).
A competent person must conduct the shift and monthly inspections; if a deficiency is found, a qualified person must immediately determine whether it constitutes a hazard, and if it does, the vessel/flotation device must be removed from service until corrected. See 1926.1437(h)(3)(i) and 1926.1437(h)(3)(ii).
The qualified person must inspect all items in the shift and monthly checks plus cleats, bitts, chocks, fenders, capstans, ladders, stanchions for significant corrosion or damage, external evidence of leaks or structural damage (including below-waterline evidence via internal inspection), four-corner draft readings, and firefighting equipment serviceability. See 1926.1437(h)(4)(i)(A)–(E).
A marine engineer, marine architect, licensed surveyor, or other qualified person must perform the four‑year internal survey; if they find a deficiency they must immediately determine whether it is a hazard, and if so the vessel/flotation device must be removed from service until corrected. See 1926.1437(h)(5)(i) and 1926.1437(h)(5)(ii)(A).
Monthly and annual inspection records must be documented per 1926.1412(e)(3) and 1926.1412(f)(7); the four‑year internal inspection must also be documented per 1926.1412(f)(7) and its documentation retained for at least 4 years. All persons who conduct inspections under 1926.1412 must have access to these documents during the retention period. See 1926.1437(h)(6) and the referenced 1926.1412 provisions.
If a crane/derrick is used to get a diver into or out of the water, it may not be used for any other purpose until the diver (or all divers) are back on board; the operator must remain at the controls at all times; and either a clear line of sight must be maintained between operator and tender or signals must be transmitted electronically. See 1926.1437(j)(1), 1926.1437(j)(2), and 1926.1437(j)(3).
The attachment system must not allow any amount of shifting in any direction while being used to get divers into or out of the water. See 1926.1437(j)(4) and the attachment requirements in 1926.1437(n)(5).
You must follow the manufacturer's specifications and limitations for environmental, operational, and in‑transit loads; if the manufacturer's specifications are unavailable, you must follow specifications established by a qualified person. See 1926.1437(k)(1)–(3).
Load charts used for equipment designed for marine use by permanent attachment must take into consideration a minimum wind speed of 40 miles per hour. See 1926.1437(m)(1)(ii).
For equipment designed for marine use by permanent attachment (other than derricks), the maximum allowable list and trim are 5 degrees for rated capacity 25 tons or less and 7 degrees for over 25 tons; for derricks designed for marine use by permanent attachment the maximum allowable list and trim are 10 degrees. See 1926.1437(m)(2) and Table M1 in 1926.1437(m).
When operating at rated capacity (or rated capacity plus 25%), Table M2 requires minimum freeboard of 2 ft (rated capacity) or 1 ft (rated capacity plus 25%) at a wind speed of 60 mph; high boom no-load also requires 2 ft freeboard at 60 mph. For backward stability of the boom (high boom, no load, full back list), Table M3 specifies a wind speed of 90 mph. See 1926.1437(m)(3) and Tables M2–M3 in 1926.1437(m).
Employer-made equipment cannot be used unless you have documents, signed by a registered professional engineer who is a qualified person for this equipment type, showing that the load charts and parameters meet the requirements of paragraphs (m)(1)–(3). See 1926.1437(m)(4).
You must reduce the land crane/derrick rated capacity applicable for use on the flotation device to account for increased loading from list, trim, wave action, and wind, and the modification must be performed by the equipment manufacturer or a qualified person with expertise in both land crane capacity and vessel stability. See 1926.1437(n)(1) and 1926.1437(n)(2).
The maximum allowable list and trim must not exceed what is necessary to meet the stability conditions in paragraph (n)(4) and in no case exceed the least of: 5 degrees, the amount specified by the crane/derrick manufacturer, or, if the manufacturer did not specify, the amount specified by the qualified person. See 1926.1437(n)(3)(i) and 1926.1437(n)(3)(ii).
You must use one of four options: (1) physical attachment (bolting, welding, crossed cables, chains, etc.); (2) corralling (barricade restraints that prevent any shifting); (3) rail mounting with clamps and stops; or (4) a centerline cable (wire rope) system meeting detailed requirements (strength, attachment to vessel and crane, means to prevent passing forward/aft ends, etc.). The chosen system must be designed by a marine engineer, registered professional engineer familiar with floating crane design, or a qualified person familiar with floating crane/derrick design. See 1926.1437(n)(5)(i)–(iv) and 1926.1437(n)(5)(v).
You may use a mobile auxiliary crane without the 1926.1437(n)(5) attachments only if a marine engineer or registered professional engineer familiar with floating crane design develops and signs a written plan showing that the use meets the section’s requirements; the plan must specify permitted deck areas, parameters/limits for movement, deck markings identifying permitted areas, and the dynamic/environmental conditions under which the plan applies. See 1926.1437(n)(6)(i)–(iv)–(https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.1437#1926.1437(n)(6)(iv)) and 1926.1437(n)(6)(v).
If the plan’s specified dynamic or environmental conditions are exceeded, the mobile auxiliary crane must be physically attached or corralled in accordance with Option (1), (2), or (4) of paragraph (n)(5). See 1926.1437(n)(6)(vi).
The barge or flotation device must be structurally sufficient to withstand static and dynamic loads at the crane's maximum rated capacity with anticipated deck loads and ballasted compartments, have a subdivided hull with longitudinal watertight bulkheads to reduce free-surface effect, and provide access to void compartments for inspection and pumping. See 1926.1437(n)(7)(i)–(iii).
Yes — employers must assess the workplace to determine hazards and, if PPE is required, provide a written PPE assessment certification as required under the PPE rule; this general requirement supports selecting suitable PPE for floating‑crane tasks. See OSHA's interpretation on hazard assessments and certification at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28 and consider the specific floating-crane controls in 1926.1437.
If a qualified person determines the deficiency is not currently a hazard but needs monitoring, it must be tracked and rechecked during the monthly inspections; if it becomes a hazard, the vessel must be removed from service until corrected. See 1926.1437(h)(4)(iii)(B) and 1926.1437(h)(3)(ii).