Crane Inspections are NOT time-based but rather Duty Cycle based

Everyone responsible for overhead cranes is aware of mandated OSHA crane inspections, unfortunately, the common misconception is that the inspections are required on a Quarterly and Annual basis. Not true. Nowhere in OSHA is there any mention of Annual or Quarterly inspections.

OSHA requires three levels of recurrent Overhead Crane inspections;

1. Pre-shift Inspections

2. Frequent Inspections

3. Periodic Inspections

Pre-Shift Crane Inspections

The first category is self-defining. Inspections are required prior to shift startup. It should be noted that these crane inspections are called “Pre-Shift” and not “Daily” inspections. In other words, they are required prior to the startup of each shift.

The inspection is normally performed by the crane operator and paper documentation of the inspection is not required. Although paper documentation of the inspection is not required, proof that the crane operator has been properly trained to perform the inspection is required.

Frequent and Periodic Crane Inspections

Regarding Frequent vs. Periodic Inspections, OSHA states the following;

OSHA 1910.179j
(ii) Inspection procedure for cranes in regular service is divided into two general classifications based upon the intervals at which inspection should be performed. The intervals, in turn, are dependent upon the nature of the critical components of the crane and the degree of their exposure to wear, deterio­ration, or malfunction. The two general classifications are herein designated as "frequent" and "periodic" with respec­tive intervals between inspections as defined below:  1910.179(j)H)(ii)) 

[a] Frequent inspection — Daily to monthly intervals. 1910.179(j)(1)(ii)[a]

[b] Periodic inspection — 1 to 12-month intervals. 1910.179(j)(1)(ii)[b]

Unfortunately, the requirements of these recurring inspections are not so easy to discern. Luckily the CMAA (Crane Manufacturer’s Association of America) has authored a document that provides a great deal of guidance regarding Overhead Crane inspections and maintenance. CMAA 78-2015,  Standards and Guidelines for Professional Services Performed On Overhead Traveling Cranes provides the single best source of information in the industry. Regarding recurring crane inspection intervals, they provide the following two charts.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Duty Cycle = Service Classification

Crane Inspection Interval Summary

For both the Frequent and Periodic inspection intervals, note that neither should be referred to as “Quarterly” or “Annual” inspections. As my initial headline stated, crane inspections are not time-dependent but rather Duty Cycle/Service Class dependent.

In other words, in the event of a crane accident, if you have a CMAA Class E crane, you had better have four Periodic Inspections Reports over the last year if you don’t want to be sending a check to your OSHA man.