1910.180(d): Crawler and Truck Crane Inspections
All new and altered crawler, locomotive and truck cranes must be inspected before first use. Cranes in regular service get frequent inspections at daily to monthly intervals and periodic inspections at 1- to 12-month intervals or as the manufacturer recommends, including daily checks of control mechanisms for maladjustment and of air or hydraulic systems for leaks, plus safety devices, hooks and rope reeving.
Key takeaways
- 1910.180(d) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 49 times in the last 3 years, in 37 inspections, with $98,634 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NJ (5), NY (5), OR (5).
- Related part: 1910.180(d)(6) Inspection records (24 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.180(d) ("Inspection classification") is one requirement inside 1910.180 Crawler locomotive and truck cranes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). It includes 28 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(d) Inspection classification — 49 citations
(1) Initial inspection. Prior to initial use all new and altered cranes shall be inspected to insure compliance with provisions of this section. Open (d)(1) 1 citations
(2) Regular inspection. 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: 4 citations
(i) Frequent inspection: Daily to monthly intervals. 3 citations
(ii) Periodic inspection: 1- to 12-month intervals, or as specifically recommended by the manufacturer. 1 citations
(3) Frequent inspection. Items such as the following shall be inspected for defects at intervals as defined in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section or as specifically indicated including observation during operation for any defects which might appear between regular inspections. Any deficiencies such as listed shall be carefully examined and determination made as to whether they constitute a safety hazard: Open (d)(3) 7 citations
(i) All control mechanisms for maladjustment interfering with proper operation: Daily. 1 citations
(ii) All control mechanisms for excessive wear of components and contamination by lubricants or other foreign matter.
(iii) All safety devices for malfunction. 1 citations
(iv) Deterioration or leakage in air or hydraulic systems: Daily.
(v) Crane hooks with deformations or cracks. For hooks with cracks or having more than 15 percent in excess of normal throat opening or more than 10° twist from the plane of the unbent hook.
(vi) Rope reeving for noncompliance with manufacturer's recommendations.
(vii) Electrical apparatus for malfunctioning, signs of excessive deterioration, dirt, and moisture accumulation.
(4) Periodic inspection. Complete inspections of the crane shall be performed at intervals as generally defined in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section depending upon its activity, severity of service, and environment, or as specifically indicated below. These inspections shall include the requirements of paragraph (d)(3) of this section and in addition, items such as the following. Any deficiencies such as listed shall be carefully examined and determination made as to whether they constitute a safety hazard: Open (d)(4) 13 citations
(i) Deformed, cracked, or corroded members in the crane structure and boom.
(ii) Loose bolts or rivets.
(iii) Cracked or worn sheaves and drums.
(iv) Worn, cracked, or distorted parts such as pins, bearings, shafts, gears, rollers and locking devices.
(v) Excessive wear on brake and clutch system parts, linings, pawls, and ratchets.
(vi) Load, boom angle, and other indicators over their full range, for any significant inaccuracies.
(vii) Gasoline, diesel, electric, or other power plants for improper performance or noncompliance with safety requirements.
(viii) Excessive wear of chain-drive sprockets and excessive chain stretch.
(ix) Travel steering, braking, and locking devices, for malfunction.
(x) Excessively worn or damaged tires.
(5) Cranes not in regular use.
(i) A crane which has been idle for a period of one month or more, but less than 6 months, shall be given an inspection conforming with requirements of paragraph (d)(3) of this section and paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this section before placing in service.
(ii) A crane which has been idle for a period of six months shall be given a complete inspection conforming with requirements of paragraphs (d) (3) and (4) of this section and paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this section before placing in service.
(iii) Standby cranes shall be inspected at least semiannually in accordance with requirements of paragraph (d)(3) of this section and paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this section. Such cranes which are exposed to adverse environment should be inspected more frequently.
(6) Inspection records. Certification records which include the date of inspection, the signature of the person who performed the inspection and the serial number, or other identifier, of the crane which was inspected shall be made monthly on critical items in use such as brakes, crane hooks, and ropes. This certification record shall be kept readily available. Open (d)(6) 24 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.180.
Injuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.180(d).
At 3:31 p.m. on January 2, 2025, an employee was operating a spider lift on sitewhile cutting a tree. During the work, the tree crane collapsed and struck the spider lift. The employee fell to the ground and sustained multiple injuries. The employee was hospitalized…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 25 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Top states: NJ (5), NY (5), OR (5), FL (4), MA (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GASTON TREE DEBRIS RECYCLING, L.L.C. | ORLANDO, FL | $15,322 |
| KENYON-NOBLE LUMBER COMPANY | BIG SKY, MT | $13,240 |
| POST RECYCLING, LLC | CRANE, TX | $7,904 |
| INDUSTRIAL METAL ENTERPRISE, INC. | CHICAGO, IL | $5,793 |
| Q.T. RENTS, L.L.C. | ROCKDALE, IL | $5,647 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.180(d), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.180(d)(6) Inspection records 24 citations
- 1910.180(d)(4) Periodic inspection 13 citations
- 1910.180(d)(3) Frequent inspection 7 citations
- 1910.180(d)(1) Initial inspection 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
When are frequent and periodic inspections done?
Frequent: daily to monthly; periodic: 1- to 12-month intervals, or as specifically recommended by the manufacturer.
What must be checked daily?
Control mechanisms for maladjustment interfering with proper operation, and air or hydraulic systems for deterioration or leakage.
Do new cranes need an inspection?
Yes. All new and altered cranes must be inspected prior to initial use.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.180 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-22
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.