1910.179(j)(1): Crane Inspection Types
All new and altered overhead and gantry 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, based on the critical components and their exposure to wear.
Key takeaways
- 1910.179(j)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 53 times in the last 3 years, in 46 inspections, with $150,913 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (11), MO (11), PR (5).
- Related part: 1910.179(j) Inspection (426 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.179(j)(1) ("Inspection classification") is one requirement inside 1910.179 Overhead and gantry cranes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). It includes 2 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
(1) Inspection classification — 53 citations
(i) Initial inspection. Prior to initial use all new and altered cranes shall be inspected to insure compliance with the provisions of this section. 6 citations
(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: Open (j)(1)(ii) 47 citations
(a) Frequent inspection—Daily to monthly intervals.
(b) Periodic inspection—1 to 12-month intervals.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.179.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.179(j)(1).
At 8:40 a.m. on April 18, 2024, an employee working for a glass and glazing contractor was attempting to maneuver a 3-ton overhead crane to unsecured windowframes. The window frames were staged in for metal fabrication prep in the assembly area. While moving one of…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2025 | 19 |
| 2026 | 15 |
Top states: TX (11), MO (11), PR (5), OH (3), RI (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| RAIL MODAL GROUP | KANSAS CITY, MO | $19,861 |
| ST JOHNS SHIP BUILDING, INC. | PALATKA, FL | $10,372 |
| SUMMIT SEALANTS, INC. | SEDALIA, CO | $10,000 |
| 68797 - DAE-IL USA INC | MURRAY, KY | $7,560 |
| ARROWALL COMPANY | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $7,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.179(j)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.179(j) Inspection 426 citations
- 1910.179(j)(2) Frequent inspection 209 citations
- 1910.179(j)(3) Periodic inspection 158 citations
- 1910.179(j)(2)(iii) 55 citations
- 1910.179(j)(2)(iv) 50 citations
- 1910.179(j)(1)(ii) 47 citations
- 1910.179(j)(2)(i) 8 citations
- 1910.179(j)(3)(iv) 4 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Do new cranes need inspection before use?
Yes. All new and altered cranes must be inspected prior to initial use.
What is a frequent inspection?
An inspection at daily to monthly intervals.
What is a periodic inspection?
An inspection at 1 to 12-month intervals.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.179 (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 2026-10-21
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.