We are 3P Safety Inspections, a third-party crane inspection company working all 50 states. Our team carries NCCCO certification. 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.
What an Annual Inspection Is
The annual (full) inspection is the deep yearly look at the entire crane, required by OSHA 1926.1412(f) for construction cranes and 1910.179 for overhead cranes. A qualified person inspects:
- Structure, welds, and pins
- Wire rope, sheaves, and drums
- Brakes, clutches, and the swing or travel gear
- Hydraulics, cylinders, and seals
- Controls, limits, and safety devices
- Hooks, load blocks, and rigging points
It ends in a full written report — the record an auditor or insurer asks to see.
We perform crane load testing and proof-load tests on their own or alongside the annual crane inspection, nationwide.
What a Load Test Is
A load test is a performance proof: it confirms the crane and its rigging actually hold a known load and operate as rated. It is not a substitute for the inspection — it answers a different question.
- A proof load applied at a defined percentage of rated capacity
- Rated-capacity verification through the crane’s motions
- Calibrated weights or certified load cells
- A check of brakes and holding under the test load
- A signed, dated load-test certificate for the file
When You Need Each One
The triggers are different, and that is the key to keeping both current:
- Annual inspection — every 12 months, by rule
- Load test — before first use of a new crane
- Load test — after a major repair or alteration to a load-bearing part
- Load test — after a rerate, or per the maker’s interval
- Load test — where OSHA, ASME B30, CMAA, state rules, owner policy, or project specs require it (a fixed cycle, such as four years, applies only to certain gear, not every crane)
- Either — whenever an owner, insurer, or AHJ requires it
How Proof Loads Are Set
Load-test percentages follow the standard and the situation. New mobile cranes are tested per the manufacturer and ASME B30.5. Many overhead cranes after a modification are proof-tested at 125% of the new rated load under ASME B30.2, while operational tests run at or near 100%. The exact figure depends on the equipment, the standard, and whether the crane was modified. A qualified person sets the test plan, and the certificate records the load applied.
Doing Both in One Visit
When it makes sense, we pair the annual inspection with a load test in a single trip. The inspection comes first — there is no point load-testing a crane with a cracked weld — then the proof load confirms performance. One visit, two records, less downtime. For a fleet, we batch the testing so the rig and weights move efficiently from crane to crane.
Which Record Proves What
Keep them straight in your file. The annual inspection report proves the machine was examined and any deficiency caught. The load-test certificate proves the crane held its rated load on a given date. An auditor may ask for either. An insurer often wants both. We deliver each as a separate, dated, signed document tied to the crane by make, model, and ID.
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 |
The Standards Behind These Checks
Our reports point to the exact standard, not a vague note:
- 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
You walk away with proof you can file:
- A punch list of what to fix first
- 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
Why Owners Pick 3P Safety Inspections
We answer to the standard, not a sales team. We keep our dates and keep the write-up plain. We price the job up front, with no surprise fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a load test and an annual inspection?
The annual inspection is a deep examination of the whole crane, part by part, required every 12 months. A load test is a performance proof that the crane holds a known load and operates as rated. They answer different questions, and you usually need both.
When is a crane load test required?
Before first use of a new crane, after a major repair or alteration to a load-bearing part, after a rerate, on the ASME cycle for some equipment, and whenever an owner, insurer, or authority requires it.
What percentage is a crane load test?
It depends on the equipment and standard. New mobile cranes are tested per the manufacturer and ASME B30.5. Many overhead cranes after modification are proof-tested at 125% of rated load under B30.2, while operational tests run at or near 100%. A qualified person sets the plan.
Does an annual inspection include a load test?
Not automatically. The annual inspection is required every 12 months. A load test runs on its own triggers — new crane, major repair, rerate, or ASME cycle. We can pair them in one visit when both are due.
Can you do the inspection and load test in one trip?
Yes. The inspection comes first, then the proof load confirms performance. One visit produces two records and cuts your downtime. For fleets we batch the testing.
What records do I get from each?
A full written annual inspection report, and a separate signed, dated load-test certificate. Each is tied to the crane by make, model, and ID. Auditors may ask for either. Insurers often want both.
Who can perform a crane load test?
A qualified person sets and supervises the test plan, using calibrated weights or certified load cells. Our NCCCO-certified inspectors handle both the annual inspection and the proof-load test.
Do you offer load testing nationwide?
Yes. We provide annual inspections and rated-capacity load testing in all 50 states, and can pair them in a single visit to save downtime.
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