US · Expiry & renewal tracking
Keep every building maintenance platform inspection on time
Permanent building maintenance powered platforms must have supporting structures, equipment, governors and secondary brakes inspected by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 12 months, and each installation every 30 days (29 CFR 1910.66(g)). The building owner keeps the certification records.
29 CFR 1910.66 covers powered platform installations permanently dedicated to interior or exterior maintenance of a specific building or group of buildings, such as window cleaning, caulking, metal polishing and reglazing. It does not apply to suspended scaffolds used on a temporary basis or for construction work (1910.66(a)). Installations completed before July 23, 1990 must still meet the inspection and maintenance rules in paragraphs (g) to (j) (1910.66(b)(2)(i)).
A competent person must inspect the related building supporting structures at intervals not exceeding 12 months, and inspect, and where necessary test, all parts of the equipment, including control systems, at intervals set by the manufacturer or supplier but not exceeding 12 months. Governors and secondary brakes must be inspected and tested at the manufacturer's intervals, but not exceeding every 12 months (1910.66(g)(2)(i) and (ii), (g)(4)(i)).
Each platform installation also needs a maintenance inspection, and where necessary a test, every 30 days, or before each work cycle if the cycle is shorter than 30 days, by a competent person following the manufacturer's procedures (1910.66(g)(3)(i)). Suspension wire ropes need a thorough inspection once a month, and ropes inactive for 30 days or longer must be thoroughly inspected before use (1910.66(g)(5)(iii)). Hoisting ropes with poured socket fastenings must be resocketed at intervals not exceeding 24 months (1910.66(h)(3)(i)).
At a glance
| Rule | 29 CFR 1910.66(g) and (h), OSHA |
|---|---|
| Building supporting structures | Inspected at intervals not exceeding 12 months |
| Equipment and controls | Manufacturer's interval, not exceeding 12 months |
| Governors and secondary brakes | Manufacturer's interval, not exceeding 12 months |
| Platform maintenance inspection | Every 30 days, or before each shorter work cycle |
| Suspension wire ropes | Thorough inspection once a month |
| Poured socket fastenings | Resocketed at intervals not exceeding 24 months |
The building owner keeps a certification record of each periodic inspection, each 30-day maintenance inspection and each monthly wire rope inspection, with the date, the inspector's signature and an identifier of what was inspected, available to OSHA and the employer (1910.66(g)(2)(iii), (g)(3)(ii) and (g)(5)(v)).
Who is responsible?
The building owner keeps the inspection records and must inform the employer in writing that the installation has been inspected, tested and maintained as required. The employer may not let employees use the installation before receiving this assurance (1910.66(c)(3) and (c)(4)). The employer also inspects working platforms for visible defects before every use (1910.66(g)(2)(iv)).
Daily checks come on top
Before each day's use, the secondary brake governor and actuation device must be tested, or visually checked where testing is not feasible (1910.66(g)(4)(vi)). Before lowering personnel below the top of the building, the hoist must be tested each day in the lifting direction with the intended load (1910.66(g)(6)). Suspension wire rope must be checked for visible defects before every use (1910.66(g)(5)(ii)).
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each platform installation with the date its next 12-month inspection of supporting structures and equipment is due.
- Add a separate record for the 30-day maintenance inspection and the monthly wire rope inspection, and one for resocketing if your ropes use poured socket fastenings.
- 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 facility manager) so the right person gets the reminder.
- If a date passes, managers get overdue reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
- Ask the inspection contractor to upload the certification record through a secure upload link, valid for 14 days; no account is needed.
Frequently asked questions
- How often must a building maintenance platform be inspected?
- Supporting structures and equipment at intervals not exceeding 12 months, and each platform installation every 30 days or before each shorter work cycle (29 CFR 1910.66(g)(2) and (g)(3)).
- Who keeps the inspection records?
- The building owner, as certification records showing the date, the inspector's signature and what was inspected (1910.66(g)(2)(iii), (g)(3)(ii) and (g)(5)(v)).
- Who may do the inspections?
- A competent person (1910.66(g)(2), (g)(3)(i), (g)(4)(v) and (g)(5)(iii)).
- Does this cover temporary suspended scaffolds?
- No. Section 1910.66 covers permanent building maintenance installations, not suspended scaffolds used temporarily or for construction work (1910.66(a)).
Sources
Last checked: Oct 1, 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 building maintenance powered platform inspection (OSHA) (US)
A ready template for building maintenance powered platform 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 building maintenance powered platform inspection (OSHA) (US) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each building maintenance powered platform inspection (OSHA) (US) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.