We are 3P Safety Inspections, a third-party crane inspection company working all 50 states. Every inspector is NCCCO-certified. We inspect to OSHA and the ASME B30 codes, and we do not sell or rent cranes — so our reports just give you the facts.
The Standard Schedule — Every Crane
Three intervals cover the baseline, set by OSHA 1926.1412 and 1910.179:
- Pre-shift — a visual and functional check before each use, by a competent person
- Monthly — a documented, signed check, by a competent person
- Annual — a full inspection of the whole machine, by a qualified person
- Plus a re-inspection after any repair, modification, or event
Inspection intervals, one page each: pre-shift · frequent · periodic · quarterly · semi-annual · annual crane inspections · post-assembly.
Pre-Shift — Before Each Use
The operator or a competent person checks the crane before the first lift of the shift. It catches the fresh problem — the leak that started overnight, the wire that broke yesterday. Here is what a documented pre-shift crane inspection covers.
- Control and brake function
- Fresh wire-rope wear or broken wires
- Hooks, latches, and the load block
- Leaks, loose bolts, and odd noises
- Tires, tracks, outriggers, and footing
- Safety devices, alarms, and limit switches
Monthly — Documented and Signed
Once a month a competent person runs a deeper check and signs a dated record. Keep it on file at least three months.
- Wire rope along its full length
- Hooks, latches, and load blocks
- Brakes and the swing or travel gear
- Hydraulic lines and cylinders for leaks
- A dated, signed record with any deficiency noted
Annual — The Full Inspection
At least every 12 months a qualified person inspects the whole machine and writes a full report. Keep it at least 12 months. The complete rulebook — who qualifies, what gets checked, and which records to keep — is in our annual crane inspection requirements guide.
- Structure, welds, and pins
- Sheaves, drums, and reeving
- Hydraulics, controls, and drive systems
- Brakes, clutches, and safety devices
- Load charts, labels, and the crane log
- A rated-capacity load test where new, repaired, or due
How Service Class Changes the Pace
For overhead cranes, OSHA 1910.179 and ASME B30.2 set the frequency by service class — how hard the crane works. A crane in normal service checks on the standard cycle. One in heavy or severe service checks far more often — commonly on a quarterly or semi-annual cycle rather than once a year. The harder the duty, the shorter the gap. We help you match the schedule to how the crane actually runs.
Tower Cranes Add Checks
Tower cranes follow a stricter rhythm under OSHA 1926.1435 and ASME B30.3:
- A post-erection inspection before first use
- Checks before, during, and after each climb or jump
- In-service inspections on the standard cycle
- A check after high wind or any event
- A takedown inspection at dismantling
Inspections Driven by an Event
The calendar is not the only trigger. Inspect again after:
- A repair or adjustment to a load-bearing part
- A modification to the equipment
- A storm, an overload, or a side-pull
- A long idle period — monthly-level under 6 months, annual-level over
- Any event that could have damaged the crane
How Often Does Rigging Get Checked?
Below-the-hook gear rides its own schedule. Slings and rigging hardware get a pre-use check by the rigger every use and a documented periodic inspection at least annually under OSHA 1910.184 and ASME B30.9. Heavy service shortens the interval. The rule is the same idea as the crane: look before every lift, document on a cycle.
Crane Inspection Frequency at a Glance
| Inspection | How Often | Who Performs It | What It Covers | Record Kept? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-shift / Daily | Before each shift or use | Competent person (often the operator) | Controls, brakes, wire rope, hooks, leaks, tires or tracks, safety devices | Good practice |
| Monthly | Every 30 days | Competent person | Wire rope along its length, hooks and latches, hoist brakes | Yes — signed and dated |
| Frequent | Daily to monthly, by service class | Competent person | Running gear and high-wear items per ASME B30 | Per your program |
| Annual / Periodic | Every 12 months | Qualified person | The full machine: structure, welds, sheaves, drums, hydraulics, controls | Yes — full written report |
| After an event | After a repair, modification, storm, or idle period | Qualified person | The affected systems, before the crane returns to service | Yes |
One note on vocabulary: “frequent” and “periodic” come from the general-industry rules, while construction cranes run on shift, monthly, and annual checks. Our guide to annual vs. frequent vs. periodic crane inspections maps the two sets of terms onto each other.
The Standards Behind These Checks
We tie each finding to the rule it checks against:
- OSHA 1926.1412 — cranes on construction sites
- OSHA 1910.179 and 1910.180 — cranes in plants
- ASME B30.5, B30.3, and B30.2 — mobile, tower, and overhead cranes
- ASME B30.9 through B30.26 — slings and rigging hardware
- ANSI A92 — aerial work platforms
- EM 385-1-1 — federal and military job sites
What You Get in Your Report
Each inspection ends with a record you can use:
- A clear PDF report with photos
- Each finding tied to a photo and a rule
- Severity ratings you can act on
- A spreadsheet you can load into your CMMS
- A signed record for your files
Why Owners Pick 3P Safety Inspections
We do not sell or rent cranes, so the report has no angle. We show up when we say and write reports a foreman can read. You know the cost before we start.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a crane be inspected?
Three layers: a visual check before each shift, a documented monthly check, and a full annual inspection by a qualified person. Hard-working and tower cranes get more frequent checks, and any crane is re-inspected after a repair, modification, or storm.
How often does an overhead crane need inspection?
Frequent checks (daily to monthly, by service class) plus periodic checks every 1 to 12 months under OSHA 1910.179 and ASME B30.2. The harder the duty, the shorter the gap.
How often do tower cranes get inspected?
Tower cranes add a post-erection check, checks before, during, and after each climb, in-service checks on the standard cycle, a post-wind check, and a takedown inspection — under OSHA 1926.1435 and ASME B30.3.
Does a crane need inspection after a storm?
Yes. OSHA and ASME both call for an inspection after any event that could harm the crane — a storm, an overload, a side-pull, or a long idle period — before it lifts again.
Is a monthly crane inspection required by OSHA?
Yes. OSHA 1926.1412(e) requires a documented monthly inspection, signed and dated by a competent person, kept at least three months, in addition to the daily and annual checks.
How often should rigging and slings be inspected?
Before each use by the rigger and on a documented periodic schedule at least annually, under OSHA 1910.184 and ASME B30.9. Heavy service shortens the interval.
What happens if I miss a scheduled inspection?
The crane should be taken out of service until it is inspected. A missing annual or a skipped monthly check is one of the most common OSHA crane citations.
Do you inspect cranes in all 50 states?
Yes. We cover all 50 states with NCCCO-certified inspectors, quote most jobs in about a business day, and reach most sites in 24 to 72 hours.
Authoritative References
OSHA 1910.179 — Overhead & Gantry CranesThe official standard, straight from the source.Visit source about OSHA 1910.179 — Overhead & Gantry Cranes
ASME B30 — Safety Standard for Cranes & RiggingThe official standard, straight from the source.Visit source about ASME B30 — Safety Standard for Cranes & Rigging
NCCCO — Crane Operator & Inspector CertificationThe official standard, straight from the source.Visit source about NCCCO — Crane Operator & Inspector Certification