What inspections does OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1412 require for cranes?

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1412 requires three tiers of crane inspection. A shift inspection must be performed by the operator or competent person before each shift. A monthly inspection covers a broader range of items including structural components and load-indicating devices. A comprehensive (annual) inspection must be performed by a qualified person and covers all items from the other tiers plus manufacturer-specified requirements. Records of monthly and annual inspections must be maintained.

Who can perform crane inspections under OSHA?

Shift inspections can be performed by the crane operator or another competent person. Monthly inspections must be performed by a competent person who can identify defects and hazards. Annual (comprehensive) inspections must be performed by a qualified person with the knowledge, training and experience to evaluate crane safety. Many companies use third-party crane inspection firms for annual inspections.

How long must crane inspection records be retained?

OSHA requires that records of monthly inspections be retained for at least three months. Records of annual (comprehensive) inspections must be retained until the next annual inspection is completed. Best practice is to retain all crane inspection records for the life of the crane, as they may be needed for incident investigations, insurance claims or resale documentation.

What is the difference between OSHA crane inspections and LOLER thorough examinations?

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1412 is a US federal standard that requires shift, monthly and annual crane inspections. LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) is a UK regulation that requires thorough examinations of lifting equipment at least every 12 months (or every 6 months for equipment used to lift persons). The LOLER thorough examination must be performed by a competent person (typically a third-party insurance engineer) and a written report must be issued. Both aim to ensure crane safety, but the regulatory frameworks, terminology and reporting requirements differ.

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Free OSHA crane inspection checklist (PDF-ready). Covers 29 CFR 1926.1412 shift, monthly and annual crane inspections. Download free.

Last updated: 2026-04-20

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 20 April 2026

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What is a osha crane inspection checklist?

An OSHA crane inspection checklist is a structured form used to document the shift, monthly and annual inspections required for cranes and derricks in construction under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1412. The standard sets out three tiers of inspection. First, a shift inspection must be performed by the crane operator or a competent person before each shift to check items such as control mechanisms, safety devices, air and hydraulic lines, hooks, wire rope and ground conditions. Second, a monthly inspection must cover a broader set of items including structural components, bolts and connections, sheaves, drums and load-indicating devices. Third, an annual or comprehensive inspection must be performed by a qualified person and cover all items from the shift and monthly inspections plus any additional items specified by the manufacturer. Records of monthly and annual inspections must be maintained and be available for review. This checklist combines all three tiers into a single document, allowing the user to select the inspection tier being performed. It covers mobile cranes, tower cranes and overhead cranes used on construction sites. Using this checklist ensures operators and inspectors follow the OSHA-required inspection sequence, document findings and take corrective action when defects are identified.

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Benefits of using this osha crane inspection checklist

OSHA compliance: document shift, monthly and annual inspections per 29 CFR 1926.1412 with auditable records for each crane.
Tiered inspection: a single form covers all three OSHA inspection tiers, simplifying record-keeping and ensuring nothing is missed.
Wire rope and structural safety: systematic checks of wire ropes, hooks, sheaves, drums and structural components catch wear and damage before failure.
Safety device verification: the checklist prompts testing of anti-two-block, load moment indicator, boom angle indicator and emergency stops.
Record retention: completed forms satisfy the OSHA requirement to maintain records of monthly and annual inspections.
Fleet visibility: linking each inspection to the crane asset in MapTrack gives fleet managers a real-time view of which cranes are current on all three inspection tiers and which are overdue.

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you digitise crane checklists in MapTrack, you get:

Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
Ability to share forms digitally.
Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
Electronic signatures.
Edit forms later without reprinting.
Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
Escalate critical hazards instantly to safety managers via push notification.
Maintain an auditable safety register that satisfies WHS regulator requests.
Correlate incident trends across sites with built-in safety analytics.

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What to include in a osha crane inspection checklist

This osha crane inspection checklist covers 10 key areas:

Crane details: make, model, serial number, type (mobile, tower, overhead), capacity.
Inspector details: name, qualification, inspection tier (shift / monthly / annual), date.
Shift inspection items: control mechanisms, safety devices, air and hydraulic hoses, hooks and latches, wire rope, ground conditions.
Monthly inspection items: structural members, bolts and connections, sheaves and drums, load-indicating devices, outriggers and floats.
Annual inspection items: all shift and monthly items plus manufacturer-specified items, NDT records, boom and jib condition, turntable and slew ring.
Wire rope inspection: broken wires, diameter reduction, corrosion, kinking, bird-caging, end connections.
Safety devices: anti-two-block, load moment indicator, boom angle indicator, wind speed indicator, emergency stops, travel alarms.
Load test records: proof load or rated load test results (if applicable to annual inspection).
Defect register: item, description, severity, corrective action, date resolved.
Sign-off: inspector, crane operator and site manager.

How to use this osha crane inspection checklist

Select the inspection tier (shift, monthly or annual) and record the crane details, inspector name, date and weather conditions.: Identify whether this is a shift, monthly or annual (comprehensive) inspection and select the corresponding section of the checklist. Enter the crane make, model, serial number, type (mobile, tower, overhead) and rated capacity. Record the inspector name, qualification level (operator, competent person or qualified person as applicable to the tier) and the current weather including wind speed, temperature and visibility. This header links the inspection to a specific crane, tier and point in time.
For a shift inspection, check all control mechanisms, safety devices, hydraulic lines, hooks, wire rope and ground conditions before the crane begins work.: Operate each control lever and pedal to confirm smooth, correct response. Test the anti-two-block device, load moment indicator (LMI), boom angle indicator and emergency stops. Inspect hydraulic and pneumatic hoses for leaks, abrasion and secure fittings. Check the hook for throat opening increase, twist, cracks and a functioning safety latch. Examine the wire rope for broken wires, corrosion, kinking and proper spooling on the drum. Assess ground conditions under the crane and outriggers for settlement, erosion or soft spots. Note wind speed and confirm it is within the crane operating limit.
For a monthly inspection, include all shift items plus structural components, bolts, sheaves, drums, load indicators and outriggers.: Complete all shift-level items first, then expand the scope. Inspect boom and jib structural members for dents, cracks, corrosion and deformation. Check all bolted connections and pins for tightness and security. Examine sheaves for groove wear, cracks and bearing play. Inspect the hoist drum for proper fleet angle, rope retention and drum wall thickness. Verify the load moment indicator and rated capacity indicator are calibrated and displaying correctly. Check outrigger beams, cylinders, locking pins and float pads for damage and leaks. Record all findings and retain the monthly inspection report.
For an annual inspection, include all monthly items plus manufacturer-specified items, NDT where required, boom and jib condition, turntable and slew ring.: The annual (comprehensive) inspection must be performed by a qualified person. It covers every item from the shift and monthly tiers plus any additional items specified by the crane manufacturer for that model. This may include non-destructive testing (NDT) of critical welds, boom pins and turntable bolts, measurement of wire rope diameter reduction, disassembly and inspection of hoist and swing brakes, slew ring bolt torque checks, electrical system testing, and calibration verification of the LMI/RCI. Document the results in a formal report and attach NDT certificates where applicable.
Record all defects, classify severity and take corrective action. If a defect makes the crane unsafe, take it out of service until the defect is resolved.: For each defect, record the item, a clear description and a severity classification: minor (monitor and schedule repair), major (restrict crane operation until repaired) or critical (crane must be taken out of service immediately). Critical defects include structural cracks, wire rope failure criteria met, brake failure, hook safety latch broken and safety device malfunction. Tag the crane as "DO NOT OPERATE," lock out the cab and notify the site manager and the crane owner. Track all defects in the maintenance register until the repair is complete and the crane is re-inspected.
Sign and date the checklist. Retain inspection records per your record-keeping policy and make available for OSHA review on request.: The inspector signs and dates the completed checklist. For monthly inspections, the crane operator and site manager also acknowledge the findings. For annual inspections, the qualified person and the crane owner or representative sign the report. OSHA requires monthly inspection records to be retained for at least three months and annual records until the next annual inspection. Best practice is to retain all crane inspection records for the life of the crane. Upload the completed checklist to MapTrack so records are instantly retrievable during an OSHA site visit.

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How often should you complete this checklist?

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1412 requires three tiers of crane inspection. A shift inspection must be completed before each shift the crane is operated. A monthly inspection must be completed each calendar month the crane is in service. A comprehensive (annual) inspection must be completed at least once every 12 months by a qualified person. In addition, an inspection must be performed after any event that could affect the crane structural integrity or safe operation, such as a collision, overload, severe weather or significant ground movement. Records of monthly and annual inspections must be retained and made available. In MapTrack, each inspection tier can be scheduled against the crane asset with automatic overdue alerts.

Frequently asked questions

What inspections does OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1412 require for cranes?: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1412 requires three tiers of crane inspection. A shift inspection must be performed by the operator or competent person before each shift. A monthly inspection covers a broader range of items including structural components and load-indicating devices. A comprehensive (annual) inspection must be performed by a qualified person and covers all items from the other tiers plus manufacturer-specified requirements. Records of monthly and annual inspections must be maintained.
Who can perform crane inspections under OSHA?: Shift inspections can be performed by the crane operator or another competent person. Monthly inspections must be performed by a competent person who can identify defects and hazards. Annual (comprehensive) inspections must be performed by a qualified person with the knowledge, training and experience to evaluate crane safety. Many companies use third-party crane inspection firms for annual inspections.
How long must crane inspection records be retained?: OSHA requires that records of monthly inspections be retained for at least three months. Records of annual (comprehensive) inspections must be retained until the next annual inspection is completed. Best practice is to retain all crane inspection records for the life of the crane, as they may be needed for incident investigations, insurance claims or resale documentation.
What is the difference between OSHA crane inspections and LOLER thorough examinations?: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1412 is a US federal standard that requires shift, monthly and annual crane inspections. LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) is a UK regulation that requires thorough examinations of lifting equipment at least every 12 months (or every 6 months for equipment used to lift persons). The LOLER thorough examination must be performed by a competent person (typically a third-party insurance engineer) and a written report must be issued. Both aim to ensure crane safety, but the regulatory frameworks, terminology and reporting requirements differ.

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