How often is a crane inspected?
| Inspection | Who | Record | 29 CFR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Each shift | Competent person | None asked for by 1926.1412(d)(1) | 1926.1412(d) |
| Monthly | Competent person | Items, results, name, signature, date; kept at least three months (1926.1412(e)(3)) | 1926.1412(e) |
| Annual/comprehensive | Qualified person | Kept at least 12 months (1926.1412(f)(7)) | 1926.1412(f) |
| Overhead crane, frequent | Not named | Monthly certification of hooks, chains, ropes | 1910.179(j)(2), (m)(1) |
The fourteen items of the shift inspection
The inspection consists of observation for apparent deficiencies, and covers these items as 1926.1412(d)(1) writes them:
- Control mechanisms for maladjustments interfering with proper operation.
- Control and drive mechanisms for apparent excessive wear of components and contamination by lubricants, water or other foreign matter.
- Air, hydraulic, and other pressurized lines for deterioration or leakage, particularly those which flex in normal operation.
- Hydraulic system for proper fluid level.
- Hooks and latches for deformation, cracks, excessive wear, or damage such as from chemicals or heat.
- Wire rope reeving for compliance with the manufacturer's specifications.
- Wire rope, in accordance with 1926.1413(a).
- Electrical apparatus for malfunctioning, signs of apparent excessive deterioration, dirt or moisture accumulation.
- Tires (when in use) for proper inflation and condition.
- Ground conditions around the equipment for proper support, including ground settling under and around outriggers/stabilizers and supporting foundations, ground water accumulation, or similar conditions.
- The equipment for level position within the tolerances specified by the equipment manufacturer's recommendations, both before each shift and after each move and setup.
- Operator cab windows for significant cracks, breaks, or other deficiencies that would hamper the operator's view.
- Rails, rail stops, rail clamps and supporting surfaces when the equipment has rail traveling.
- Safety devices and operational aids for proper operation.
Taking apart equipment components and booming down is not required as part of it, unless the visual inspection or trial operation shows that further investigation needs it (1926.1412(d)(1)). Other sections of subpart CC add items for specific types of equipment; add them to the sheet when they apply.
When the inspection finds a deficiency
For items (i) to (xiii), the competent person makes an immediate determination of whether the deficiency is a safety hazard, and if it is, the equipment is taken out of service until it has been corrected (29 CFR 1926.1412(d)(2)). A deficiency in a safety device or an operational aid, item (xiv), calls for the actions of 1926.1415 and 1926.1416 before the equipment is used (1926.1412(d)(3)). The sheet has a table for each deficiency, the determination and the correction date.
Overhead cranes in general industry
Overhead and gantry cranes follow 1910.179. Inspections in regular service are frequent, at daily to monthly intervals, or periodic, at 1 to 12-month intervals (29 CFR 1910.179(j)(1)(ii)). Hooks and hoist chains get a daily visual inspection and a monthly inspection with a certification record (1910.179(j)(2)(iii) and (iv)), and running ropes a thorough monthly inspection with a certification record kept on file (1910.179(m)(1)). The second form in this template is built on that list.
Before the pick, the free crane lift plan calculator checks the load against the chart. The crane and rigging safety guide covers the rest of subpart CC, the article on crane operator certification under 1926.1427 covers the operator, and the guide to how competent persons are designated covers who signs the inspection. Our construction safety hub gathers the other jobsite rules.
What OSHA cited most on crane inspections in FY2025
| Paragraph | What it covers | FY2025 citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1926.1412(f)(1) | Annual/comprehensive inspection by a qualified person | 21 |
| 1926.1412(d)(1) | Shift inspection by a competent person | 13 |
| 1926.1412(e)(1) | Monthly inspection | 9 |
| 1926.1412(e)(3)(i) | Monthly inspection documented: items, results, name, signature, date | 5 |
| 1926.1412(f)(7) | Annual inspection documented and kept at least 12 months | 5 |
| 1926.1412(f)(2) | Annual inspection scope, with disassembly as necessary | 4 |
| 1910.179(j)(3) | Overhead cranes: periodic complete inspections | 60 |
| 1910.179(j)(2) | Overhead cranes: frequent inspection items | 46 |
| 1910.179(j)(2)(iii) | Hooks: daily visual and monthly certification record | 19 |
| 1910.179(j)(2)(iv) | Hoist chains: daily visual and monthly certification record | 18 |
| 1910.179(m)(1) | Running ropes: monthly inspection and certification record | 16 |
| 1910.179(l)(3)(iii)(D) | 15 |
1926.1412: 62 citations in FY2025 at 34 inspections, 59 of them at construction sites (NAICS 23). 1910.179: 328 citations in FY2025 at 202 inspections, 11 of them at construction sites (NAICS 23). Citation items issued Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025, counted by HazComFast on U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data (extracted Oct 13, 2026). Inspected establishments, not the whole industry.
OSHA's citation data writes one paragraph of the overhead crane standard differently from the CFR: its (l)(3)(iii)(D) is the CFR's (l)(3)(iii)(d), pendant control stations kept clean and function labels kept legible.
Questions about crane inspections
How often does OSHA require a crane inspection?
In construction: a visual inspection by a competent person begun before each shift the equipment will be used and completed before or during that shift (29 CFR 1926.1412(d)(1)); each month in service, the same inspection, documented (1926.1412(e)); and at least every 12 months, an inspection by a qualified person (1926.1412(f)(1)). Overhead cranes in general industry have frequent inspections at daily to monthly intervals and periodic inspections at 1 to 12-month intervals (1910.179(j)(1)(ii)).
Does the daily crane inspection have to be written down?
1926.1412(d) does not ask for the shift inspection to be documented. The monthly inspection is: the items checked and the results, and the name and signature of the person who conducted it and the date, kept at least three months (29 CFR 1926.1412(e)(3)). The annual/comprehensive inspection record is kept at least 12 months (1926.1412(f)(7)).
Who can do the crane shift inspection?
A competent person (29 CFR 1926.1412(d)(1)). The annual/comprehensive inspection is done by a qualified person (1926.1412(f)(1)). Documenting both designations tells the operator and the superintendent know who signs which inspection.
What happens when the shift inspection finds a deficiency?
For items (i) to (xiii), the competent person decides at once whether the deficiency is a safety hazard; if it is, the equipment is taken out of service until it has been corrected (29 CFR 1926.1412(d)(2)). For safety devices and operational aids, the actions of 1926.1415 and 1926.1416 are taken before the equipment is used (1926.1412(d)(3)).
What records does an overhead crane need?
Hooks and hoist chains get a visual inspection daily and a monthly inspection with a certification record that includes the date, the signature of the person who inspected and the identifier of the hook or chain (29 CFR 1910.179(j)(2)(iii) and (iv)). Running ropes get a thorough monthly inspection with a certification record kept on file where readily available to appointed personnel (1910.179(m)(1)).
Does this checklist cover mobile cranes in general industry?
Not item by item. Crawler, locomotive and truck cranes in general industry follow 1910.180, with frequent inspections at daily to monthly intervals and monthly certification records on critical items such as brakes, crane hooks and ropes (1910.180(d)(2) and (d)(6)). Use the construction sheet's layout and that section's list.
Sources and verification
- 29 CFR 1926.1412, Inspections (cranes and derricks in construction)
- 29 CFR 1910.179, Overhead and gantry cranes
- 29 CFR 1910.180, Crawler locomotive and truck cranes
Verified against the eCFR on Oct 20, 2026 (title 29 current to Oct 16, 2026). State Plan states enforce their own standards, which may go further than the federal ones. Not legal advice.
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