1910.68(e): Monthly Manlift Inspections and Records
Employers must have a competent designated person inspect every manlift at intervals of not more than 30 days and check limit switches weekly, and unsafe manlifts must not run until repaired. The inspection covers items such as steps, rails, belt, handholds, landings, guardrails, limit switches, brake and motor, and a certification record with date, inspector's signature and manlift identifier must be kept.
Key takeaways
- 1910.68(e) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart F).
- OSHA cited it 8 times in the last 3 years, in 8 inspections, with $24,808 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.68(e)(3) Inspection record (1 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.68(e) ("Periodic inspection") is one requirement inside 1910.68 Manlifts, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart F). It includes 3 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
(e) Periodic inspection — 8 citations
(1) Frequency. All manlifts shall be inspected by a competent designated person at intervals of not more than 30 days. Limit switches shall be checked weekly. Manlifts found to be unsafe shall not be operated until properly repaired. 6 citations
(2) Items covered. This periodic inspection shall cover but is not limited to the following items: 1 citations
Steps.
Step Fastenings.
Rails.
Rail Supports and Fastenings.
Rollers and Slides.
Belt and Belt Tension.
Handholds and Fastenings.
Floor Landings.
Guardrails.
Lubrication.
Limit Switches.
Warning Signs and Lights.
Illumination.
Drive Pulley.
Bottom (boot) Pulley and Clearance.
Pulley Supports.
Motor.
Driving Mechanism.
Brake.
Electrical Switches.
Vibration and Misalignment.
“Skip” on up or down run when mounting step (indicating worn gears).
(3) Inspection record. A certification record shall be kept of each inspection which includes the date of the inspection, the signature of the person who performed the inspection and the serial number, or other identifier, of the manlift which was inspected. This record of inspection shall be made available to the Assistant Secretary of Labor or a duly authorized representative. Open (e)(3) 1 citations
[39 FR 23502, June 27, 1974, as amended at 43 FR 49746, Oct. 24, 1978; 51 FR 34560, Sept. 29, 1986; 54 FR 24334, June 7, 1989; 55 FR 32014, Aug. 6, 1990; 61 FR 9235, Mar. 7, 1996; 72 FR 71068, Dec. 14, 2007; 81 FR 82999, Nov. 18, 2016]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.68.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.68(e).
At 2:45 p.m. on December 17, 2024, two employees were trimming a tree using a boom lift when the arm of the lift failed. The basket fell approximately 30 feetto the ground. One employee was killed, and the other was hospitalized for treatment of injuries…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.68(e), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.68(e).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.68(e)(3) Inspection record 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How often must manlifts be inspected?
At intervals of not more than 30 days.
How often are limit switches checked?
Weekly.
What goes in the inspection record?
The date, signature of the inspector and the serial number or other identifier of the manlift.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.68 (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 2026-10-20
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.