OSHA crane inspections study guide
Section 1926.1412 of OSHA's construction crane and derrick standard (29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC) sets the inspections equipment must receive: after modifications, after repairs or adjustments, after assembly, each shift, each month the equipment is in service, at least every 12 months, where severe use or conditions make damage or excessive wear reasonably probable, and before initial use after 3 months or more idle. This guide sets out what the regulation text states on what triggers each inspection, who performs it where the rule names a competent person or a qualified person (both defined in 1926.1401), what happens when a deficiency is found, and what must be documented and for how long. goraedu is an independent study site and does not certify operators. Your State may run its own OSHA-approved plan with its own rules, so check them too. Every point links to the regulation and quotes its exact words.
Who inspects and key terms
A competent person is one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
“Competent person means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.”
A qualified person is one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or by extensive knowledge, training and experience, successfully demonstrated the ability to solve/resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.
“Qualified person means a person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training and experience, successfully demonstrated the ability to solve/resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.”
Equipment criteria means instructions, recommendations, limitations and specifications.
“Equipment criteria means instructions, recommendations, limitations and specifications.”
Operational aids are devices that assist the operator in the safe operation of the crane by providing information or automatically taking control of a crane function.
“Operational aids are devices that assist the operator in the safe operation of the crane by providing information or automatically taking control of a crane function.”
Rated capacity means the maximum working load permitted by the manufacturer under specified working conditions.
“Rated capacity means the maximum working load permitted by the manufacturer under specified working conditions.”
A competent person must begin the visual inspection prior to each shift the equipment will be used.
“A competent person must begin a visual inspection prior to each shift the equipment will be used”
Not covered here
Other definitions in 1926.1401 are not covered here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Modified and repaired equipment
Equipment that has had modifications or additions which affect its safe operation (such as modifications or additions involving a safety device or operational aid, critical part of a control system, power plant, braking system, load-sustaining structural components, load hook, or in-use operating mechanism) or capacity must be inspected by a qualified person after the modifications/additions have been completed, prior to initial use.
“Equipment that has had modifications or additions which affect the safe operation of the equipment (such as modifications or additions involving a safety device or operational aid, critical part of a control system, power plant, braking system, load-sustaining structural components, load hook, or in-use operating mechanism) or capacity must be inspected by a qualified person after such modifications/additions have been completed, prior to initial use.”
The modification inspection must assure that the modifications or additions have been done in accordance with the approval obtained pursuant to § 1926.1434 (Equipment modifications).
“The inspection must assure that the modifications or additions have been done in accordance with the approval obtained pursuant to § 1926.1434 (Equipment modifications).”
The modification inspection must include functional testing of the equipment.
“The inspection must include functional testing of the equipment.”
Modified equipment must not be used until the inspection demonstrates that the work was done in accordance with that approval.
“Equipment must not be used until an inspection under this paragraph demonstrates that the requirements of paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section have been met.”
Equipment that has had a repair or adjustment that relates to safe operation (such as a repair or adjustment to a safety device or operator aid, or to a critical part of a control system, power plant, braking system, load-sustaining structural components, load hook, or in-use operating mechanism) must be inspected by a qualified person after the repair or adjustment has been completed, prior to initial use.
“Equipment that has had a repair or adjustment that relates to safe operation (such as: A repair or adjustment to a safety device or operator aid, or to a critical part of a control system, power plant, braking system, load-sustaining structural components, load hook, or in-use operating mechanism), must be inspected by a qualified person after such a repair or adjustment has been completed, prior to initial use.”
The qualified person must determine if the repair/adjustment meets manufacturer equipment criteria, where applicable and available.
“The qualified person must determine if the repair/adjustment meets manufacturer equipment criteria (where applicable and available).”
Where manufacturer equipment criteria are unavailable or inapplicable, the qualified person must take the two steps that follow.
“Where manufacturer equipment criteria are unavailable or inapplicable, the qualified person must:”
First, determine if a registered professional engineer (RPE) is needed to develop criteria for the repair/adjustment. If an RPE is not needed, the employer must ensure that the criteria are developed by the qualified person; if an RPE is needed, the employer must ensure that they are developed by an RPE.
“Determine if a registered professional engineer (RPE) is needed to develop criteria for the repair/adjustment. If an RPE is not needed, the employer must ensure that the criteria are developed by the qualified person. If an RPE is needed, the employer must ensure that they are developed by an RPE.”
Second, determine if the repair/adjustment meets the criteria developed in that first step.
“Determine if the repair/adjustment meets the criteria developed in accordance with paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A) of this section.”
The repair/adjustment inspection must include functional testing of the repaired/adjusted parts and other components that may be affected by the repair/adjustment.
“The inspection must include functional testing of the repaired/adjusted parts and other components that may be affected by the repair/adjustment.”
Repaired or adjusted equipment must not be used until the inspection demonstrates that the repair/adjustment meets the applicable criteria.
“Equipment must not be used until an inspection under this paragraph demonstrates that the repair/adjustment meets the requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section (or, where applicable, paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section).”
Not covered here
The approval process for modifications in § 1926.1434 is not covered here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Post-assembly inspection
Upon completion of assembly, a qualified person must inspect the equipment to assure that it is configured in accordance with manufacturer equipment criteria.
“Upon completion of assembly, the equipment must be inspected by a qualified person to assure that it is configured in accordance with manufacturer equipment criteria.”
Where manufacturer equipment criteria are unavailable, a qualified person must first determine if a registered professional engineer (RPE) familiar with the type of equipment involved is needed to develop criteria for the equipment configuration.
“Where manufacturer equipment criteria are unavailable, a qualified person must: (i) Determine if a registered professional engineer (RPE) familiar with the type of equipment involved is needed to develop criteria for the equipment configuration.”
If an RPE is not needed, the employer must ensure the criteria are developed by the qualified person; if one is needed, the employer must ensure they are developed by an RPE.
“If an RPE is not needed, the employer must ensure that the criteria are developed by the qualified person. If an RPE is needed, the employer must ensure that they are developed by an RPE.”
Second, determine if the equipment meets the criteria developed in that first step.
“Determine if the equipment meets the criteria developed in accordance with paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section.”
Equipment must not be used until the post-assembly inspection demonstrates that it is configured in accordance with the applicable criteria.
“Equipment must not be used until an inspection under this paragraph demonstrates that the equipment is configured in accordance with the applicable criteria.”
Shift and monthly inspections
A competent person must begin a visual inspection prior to each shift the equipment will be used, and it must be completed before or during that shift.
“A competent person must begin a visual inspection prior to each shift the equipment will be used, which must be completed before or during that shift.”
The shift inspection consists of observation for apparent deficiencies.
“The inspection must consist of observation for apparent deficiencies.”
Taking apart equipment components and booming down is not required as part of the shift inspection unless the results of the visual inspection or trial operation indicate that further investigation needing them is needed.
“Taking apart equipment components and booming down is not required as part of this inspection unless the results of the visual inspection or trial operation indicate that further investigation necessitating taking apart equipment components or booming down is needed.”
Determinations made in the shift inspection must be reassessed in light of observations made during operation.
“Determinations made in conducting the inspection must be reassessed in light of observations made during operation.”
At a minimum, the shift inspection must include all of the listed items, starting with control mechanisms for maladjustments interfering with proper operation.
“At a minimum the inspection must include all of the following: (i) Control mechanisms for maladjustments interfering with proper operation.”
The listed items include 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.
“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 ground conditions item does not apply to railroad tracks and their underlying support when the tracks are part of the general railroad system of transportation regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration under 49 CFR part 213.
“This paragraph does not apply to the inspection of ground conditions for railroad tracks and their underlying support when the railroad tracks are part of the general railroad system of transportation that is regulated pursuant to the Federal Railroad Administration under 49 CFR part 213.”
They include 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.
“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.”
If a deficiency in items (d)(1)(i) through (xiii) (or in additional inspection items required to be checked for specific types of equipment in accordance with other sections of the standard) is identified, the competent person must make an immediate determination as to whether it constitutes a safety hazard.
“If any deficiency in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (xiii) of this section (or in additional inspection items required to be checked for specific types of equipment in accordance with other sections of this standard) is identified, an immediate determination must be made by the competent person as to whether the deficiency constitutes a safety hazard.”
If the deficiency is determined to constitute a safety hazard, the equipment must be taken out of service until it has been corrected.
“If the deficiency is determined to constitute a safety hazard, the equipment must be taken out of service until it has been corrected.”
If a deficiency in item (d)(1)(xiv), safety devices/operational aids, is identified, the action specified in §§ 1926.1415 and 1926.1416 must be taken prior to using the equipment.
“If any deficiency in paragraph (d)(1)(xiv) of this section (safety devices/operational aids) is identified, the action specified in §§ 1926.1415 and 1926.1416 must be taken prior to using the equipment.”
Each month the equipment is in service, it must be inspected in accordance with the each-shift paragraph (d).
“Each month the equipment is in service it must be inspected in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section (each shift).”
Equipment must not be used until the monthly inspection demonstrates that no corrective action under paragraphs (d)(2) and (3) is required.
“Equipment must not be used until an inspection under this paragraph demonstrates that no corrective action under paragraphs (d)(2) and (3) of this section is required.”
The employer that conducts the monthly inspection must document and maintain the items checked and the results, and the name and signature of the person who conducted it and the date.
“The following information must be documented and maintained by the employer that conducts the inspection: (A) The items checked and the results of the inspection. (B) The name and signature of the person who conducted the inspection and the date.”
The monthly inspection document must be retained for a minimum of three months.
“This document must be retained for a minimum of three months.”
Not covered here
The wire rope inspection in § 1926.1413(a), which (d)(1)(vii) cross-references, and the actions in §§ 1926.1415 and 1926.1416 are not covered here. Not every one of the 14 shift inspection items is listed. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Annual/comprehensive inspection
At least every 12 months, a qualified person must inspect the equipment in accordance with the each-shift paragraph (d), with the corrective action in (f)(4) to (f)(6) applying in place of that in (d)(2) and (d)(3).
“At least every 12 months the equipment must be inspected by a qualified person in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section (each shift) except that the corrective action set forth in paragraphs (f)(4), (f)(5), and (f)(6) of this section must apply in place of the corrective action required by paragraphs (d)(2) and (d)(3) of this section.”
In addition, at least every 12 months a qualified person must inspect the equipment for the items listed in (f)(2); disassembly is required, as necessary, to complete the inspection.
“In addition, at least every 12 months, the equipment must be inspected by a qualified person. Disassembly is required, as necessary, to complete the inspection. The equipment must be inspected for all of the following:”
The listed items include equipment structure (including the boom and, if equipped, the jib): structural members that are deformed, cracked, or significantly corroded.
“Equipment structure (including the boom and, if equipped, the jib): (A) Structural members: Deformed, cracked, or significantly corroded.”
They include safety devices and operational aids for proper operation, including significant inaccuracies.
“Safety devices and operational aids for proper operation (including significant inaccuracies).”
They include warning labels and decals originally supplied with the equipment by the manufacturer or otherwise required under the standard that are missing or unreadable.
“Warning labels and decals originally supplied with the equipment by the manufacturer or otherwise required under this standard: Missing or unreadable.”
The annual/comprehensive inspection must include functional testing to determine that the equipment as configured in the inspection is functioning properly.
“This inspection must include functional testing to determine that the equipment as configured in the inspection is functioning properly.”
If any deficiency is identified, the qualified person must immediately determine whether it is a safety hazard or, though not yet a safety hazard, needs to be monitored in the monthly inspections.
“If any deficiency is identified, an immediate determination must be made by the qualified person as to whether the deficiency constitutes a safety hazard or, though not yet a safety hazard, needs to be monitored in the monthly inspections.”
If the qualified person determines that a deficiency is a safety hazard, the equipment must be taken out of service until it has been corrected, except when temporary alternative measures are implemented as specified in § 1926.1416(d) or § 1926.1435(e).
“If the qualified person determines that a deficiency is a safety hazard, the equipment must be taken out of service until it has been corrected, except when temporary alternative measures are implemented as specified in § 1926.1416(d) or § 1926.1435(e).”
If the qualified person determines that, though not presently a safety hazard, the deficiency needs to be monitored, the employer must ensure that it is checked in the monthly inspections.
“If the qualified person determines that, though not presently a safety hazard, the deficiency needs to be monitored, the employer must ensure that the deficiency is checked in the monthly inspections.”
The employer that conducts the annual/comprehensive inspection must document, maintain and retain for a minimum of 12 months the items checked and the results of the inspection.
“The following information must be documented, maintained, and retained for a minimum of 12 months, by the employer that conducts the inspection: (i) The items checked and the results of the inspection.”
The annual/comprehensive inspection documentation must also include the name and signature of the person who conducted the inspection and the date.
“(ii) The name and signature of the person who conducted the inspection and the date.”
Not covered here
The full list of 21 items in (f)(2) is not reproduced, and the temporary alternative measures in §§ 1926.1416(d) and 1926.1435(e) are not covered. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Severe service and idle equipment
Where the severity of use/conditions is such that there is a reasonable probability of damage or excessive wear (such as loading that may have exceeded rated capacity, shock loading that may have exceeded rated capacity, prolonged exposure to a corrosive atmosphere), the employer must stop using the equipment and a qualified person must take the steps that follow.
“Where the severity of use/conditions is such that there is a reasonable probability of damage or excessive wear (such as loading that may have exceeded rated capacity, shock loading that may have exceeded rated capacity, prolonged exposure to a corrosive atmosphere), the employer must stop using the equipment and a qualified person must:”
The qualified person must inspect the equipment for structural damage to determine if it can continue to be used safely.
“Inspect the equipment for structural damage to determine if the equipment can continue to be used safely.”
In light of the use/conditions, the qualified person must determine whether any items/conditions listed in the annual paragraph (f) need to be inspected, and if so inspect them.
“In light of the use/conditions determine whether any items/conditions listed in paragraph (f) of this section need to be inspected; if so, the qualified person must inspect those items/conditions.”
If a deficiency is found, the employer must follow the annual corrective action requirements in (f)(4) through (6).
“If a deficiency is found, the employer must follow the requirements in paragraphs (f)(4) through (6) of this section.”
Equipment that has been idle for 3 months or more must be inspected by a qualified person in accordance with the monthly paragraph (e) before initial use.
“Equipment that has been idle for 3 months or more must be inspected by a qualified person in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (e) (Monthly) of this section before initial use.”
Manufacturer procedures and documents
Any part of a manufacturer's procedures regarding inspections that relate to safe operation (such as to a safety device or operational aid, critical part of a control system, power plant, braking system, load-sustaining structural components, load hook, or in-use operating mechanism) that is more comprehensive or has a more frequent schedule of inspection than 1926.1412 must be followed.
“Any part of a manufacturer's procedures regarding inspections that relate to safe operation (such as to a safety device or operational aid, critical part of a control system, power plant, braking system, load-sustaining structural components, load hook, or in-use operating mechanism) that is more comprehensive or has a more frequent schedule of inspection than the requirements of this section must be followed.”
All documents produced under 1926.1412 must be available, during the applicable document retention period, to all persons who conduct inspections under the section.
“All documents produced under this section must be available, during the applicable document retention period, to all persons who conduct inspections under this section.”
Sources
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1401, Definitions (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1412, Inspections (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
Other OSHA crane operator study guides: Power line safety, Operation and work area control, Signals, Signal person qualifications, Operator training, certification and evaluation, Hoisting personnel