We are 3P Safety Inspections, a third-party crane inspection company working all 50 states. Our inspectors hold NCCCO cards. 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.
Where 1926.1412 Fits
The rule is one piece of a larger framework. Know the neighbors:
- 1926 Subpart CC — the full cranes-and-derricks standard
- 1926.1412 — inspections (this rule)
- 1926.1413 — wire rope inspection and removal
- 1926.1427 — operator qualification and certification
- ASME B30.5 — the consensus standard behind the detail
1926.1412(a) and (b) — Modified or Repaired Equipment
If a crane is modified (a), or a load-bearing part is repaired or adjusted (b), a qualified person inspects the affected parts before the crane goes back to work. The point is simple: prove the change is safe before the next lift. We document the check so it holds up later.
1926.1412(c) — Post-Assembly
After a crane is assembled on site, a qualified person inspects it to confirm it was put together right and matches the manufacturer’s setup. This catches the assembly error before it becomes an incident. Here is how we run a post-assembly crane inspection.
1926.1412(d) — Each Shift
A competent person makes a visual check at the start of (or during) each shift the crane is used. It is quick, but it is required every shift. It covers:
- Control mechanisms for maladjustment and excessive wear
- Air, hydraulic, and other pressurized lines for leaks
- Hooks and latches for damage
- Wire rope for obvious damage
- Tires, tracks, and the ground or supporting surface
- Safety devices and operator aids for proper function
1926.1412(e) — Monthly
Each month a competent person runs the same shift-level check, documents it, and signs it. The record names the equipment and the parts checked, and it is kept on file for at least three months under 1926.1412(e)(3). This monthly document is the layer OSHA most often finds missing.
1926.1412(f) — Annual / Full
At least every 12 months a qualified person inspects the whole machine in depth. The annual record is kept at least 12 months under 1926.1412(f)(7). It covers:
- Structure, welds, and pins for cracks or deformation
- Sheaves, drums, and reeving
- Wire rope to 1926.1413 removal criteria
- Brakes, clutches, and the swing system
- Hydraulics, cylinders, valves, and seals
- Electrical apparatus, controls, and safety devices
- Hooks, load blocks, and rigging attachment points
- Tires, travel gear, and outriggers
1926.1412(g) and (h) — Severe Service and Idle Equipment
Two more triggers round out the rule:
- Severe service (g) — a crane run hard or in punishing conditions gets checked more often
- Idle equipment (h) — a crane idle 3 to 6 months gets a monthly-level check before reuse. One idle longer gets an annual-level check
- Either way, a qualified or competent person documents the result before the crane lifts
What Happens to a Deficiency
When a check finds a problem, 1926.1412 splits it two ways. A deficiency that is a safety hazard takes the crane out of service until it is fixed. A deficiency that is not an immediate hazard gets evaluated by a qualified person, who decides whether the crane can keep working. Our reports make that call clear — each finding is ranked so you know what stops a lift and what can wait.
Which Cranes 1926.1412 Covers
The rule applies across the mobile-crane family on construction sites:
- Rough-terrain and all-terrain cranes
- Truck-mounted and boom-truck cranes
- Crawler and lattice-boom cranes
- Carry-deck and industrial cranes
- Articulating (knuckle-boom) cranes used in construction
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
Every report names the rule behind each find:
- 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
Here is what lands in your inbox:
- A signed record for your files
- 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
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. The quote is the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does OSHA 1926.1412 require?
It requires inspections of construction cranes after modification (a), after repair (b), after assembly (c), each shift (d), monthly (e), annually (f), under severe service (g), and after an idle period (h). Shift and monthly checks go to a competent person. The annual goes to a qualified person.
What is checked on the 1926.1412(d) shift inspection?
Control mechanisms, pressurized lines for leaks, hooks and latches, wire rope for obvious damage, tires or tracks and the supporting ground, and the safety devices and operator aids — a quick visual and functional check before each shift.
How long must 1926.1412 records be kept?
The monthly documented inspection is kept at least three months (1926.1412(e)(3)) and the annual inspection at least twelve months (1926.1412(f)(7)).
Who can perform the annual inspection under 1926.1412(f)?
A qualified person — someone with the recognized degree, certificate, or extensive experience to evaluate the equipment under 1926.32(m). Our inspectors are NCCCO-certified and meet that bar.
What does 1926.1412 say about idle cranes?
Under (h), a crane idle three to six months gets a monthly-level inspection before reuse. One idle longer than six months gets an annual-level inspection. Both are documented before the crane lifts.
What happens when an inspection finds a deficiency?
A deficiency that is a safety hazard takes the crane out of service until repaired. One that is not an immediate hazard is evaluated by a qualified person, who decides whether the crane can keep working. Our reports rank each finding.
Does 1926.1412 cover wire rope?
The shift and monthly checks look at wire rope for obvious damage, but wire rope has its own dedicated rule, 1926.1413, with detailed removal criteria. The annual inspection applies those criteria.
Do you inspect mobile cranes to 1926.1412 nationwide?
Yes. We inspect rough-terrain, all-terrain, truck-mounted, crawler, and carry-deck cranes in all 50 states, with NCCCO-certified inspectors and 24-to-72-hour scheduling.
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