US · Expiry & renewal tracking
Never miss a periodic inspection on your overhead and gantry cranes
Overhead and gantry cranes in regular service need frequent inspections at daily to monthly intervals and a complete periodic inspection every 1 to 12 months, depending on activity, service and environment (29 CFR 1910.179(j)). Hooks, chains and running ropes are inspected monthly with a certification record.
OSHA's standard for overhead and gantry cranes (29 CFR 1910.179) applies to overhead and gantry cranes, including semigantry, cantilever gantry, wall cranes, storage bridge cranes and others with the same fundamental characteristics (29 CFR 1910.179(b)(1)). All new and altered cranes must be inspected before initial use (29 CFR 1910.179(j)(1)(i)).
For cranes in regular service, inspections fall into two classes: frequent inspections at daily to monthly intervals, and periodic inspections at 1 to 12-month intervals. Periodic inspections are complete inspections of the crane, and their interval depends on the crane's activity, severity of service and environment (29 CFR 1910.179(j)(1)(ii) and (j)(3)).
Some items have their own schedule: hooks and hoist chains get a visual inspection daily and a monthly inspection with a certification record, and all running ropes get a thorough inspection at least once a month with a certification record (29 CFR 1910.179(j)(2)(iii), (j)(2)(iv) and (m)(1)).
At a glance
| Rule | 29 CFR 1910.179(j) (OSHA) |
|---|---|
| New or altered crane | Inspected before initial use |
| Frequent inspection | Daily to monthly intervals |
| Periodic inspection | 1 to 12-month intervals, depending on activity, severity of service and environment |
| Hooks, hoist chains, running ropes | Monthly inspection with a certification record |
| Standby cranes | At least semi-annually |
Cranes idle for 1 month or more but less than 6 months need an inspection of the frequent-inspection items and ropes before use; cranes idle over 6 months need a complete inspection (29 CFR 1910.179(j)(4)).
Who is responsible?
The employer. Any unsafe condition found in an inspection must be corrected before the crane is operated again, and adjustments and repairs may be done only by designated personnel (29 CFR 1910.179(l)(3)(i)).
What the monthly certification records must show
For hooks, the record includes the date of inspection, the signature of the person who performed it and the serial number or other identifier of the hook. For hoist chains and running ropes, it includes the date, the signature and an identifier of the chain or ropes inspected. Rope records must be kept on file where readily available to appointed personnel (29 CFR 1910.179(j)(2)(iii), (j)(2)(iv) and (m)(1)).
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each crane as an asset and record the date its next periodic inspection is due, using the interval you set for that crane within the 1 to 12-month range.
- If you want, add the monthly hook, chain and rope inspections as separate documents with their own due dates.
- Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the due date and on the due date itself.
- Assign a responsible person (for example your maintenance lead) so the right person gets the reminder.
- If a date passes, managers get overdue reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
- Ask the inspector to upload the inspection report or certification record through a secure upload link, valid for 14 days; no account is needed.
Frequently asked questions
- How often must an overhead crane have a periodic inspection?
- At 1 to 12-month intervals, depending on its activity, severity of service and environment (29 CFR 1910.179(j)(1)(ii) and (j)(3)).
- What is the difference between frequent and periodic inspections?
- Frequent inspections are at daily to monthly intervals and cover items such as operating mechanisms, hooks and hoist chains. Periodic inspections are complete inspections of the crane at 1 to 12-month intervals and include the frequent inspection items (29 CFR 1910.179(j)(1)(ii), (j)(2) and (j)(3)).
- Does a crane that has been idle need an inspection?
- Yes. After 1 month or more but less than 6 months idle it needs an inspection of the frequent-inspection items and ropes before use; after more than 6 months it needs a complete inspection. Standby cranes are inspected at least semi-annually (29 CFR 1910.179(j)(4)).
- How often must crane ropes be inspected?
- All running ropes must get a thorough inspection at least once a month, with a certification record (29 CFR 1910.179(m)(1)).
Sources
Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for crane periodic inspection (OSHA) (US)
A ready template for crane periodic inspection (OSHA) (US) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.
Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each crane periodic inspection (OSHA) (US) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each crane periodic inspection (OSHA) (US) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.