1926.1412(f): Annual Comprehensive Crane Inspection
At least every 12 months, a qualified person must inspect cranes and derricks under the shift inspection rules plus a comprehensive inspection, with disassembly as necessary. Items checked include structure, bolts and welds, sheaves and drums, pins and gears, brakes and clutches, safety devices, power plants, chains, steering and travel brakes, tires and hoses.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1412(f) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart CC).
- OSHA cited it 79 times in the last 3 years, in 73 inspections, with $153,949 in current penalties.
- Most citations: GA (16), MI (11), NC (7).
- Related part: 1926.1412(f)(1) (57 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1412(f) ("Annual/comprehensive") is one requirement inside 1926.1412 Inspections, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart CC). It includes 49 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
(f) Annual/comprehensive. 79 citations
(1) At least every 12 months the equipment must be inspected by a qualified person in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section (each shift) except that the corrective action set forth in paragraphs (f)(4), (f)(5), and (f)(6) of this section must apply in place of the corrective action required by paragraphs (d)(2) and (d)(3) of this section. Open (f)(1) 57 citations
(2) In addition, at least every 12 months, the equipment must be inspected by a qualified person. Disassembly is required, as necessary, to complete the inspection. The equipment must be inspected for all of the following: 6 citations
(i) Equipment structure (including the boom and, if equipped, the jib):
(A) Structural members: Deformed, cracked, or significantly corroded.
(B) Bolts, rivets and other fasteners: loose, failed or significantly corroded.
(C) Welds for cracks.
(ii) Sheaves and drums for cracks or significant wear.
(iii) Parts such as pins, bearings, shafts, gears, rollers and locking devices for distortion, cracks or significant wear.
(iv) Brake and clutch system parts, linings, pawls and ratchets for excessive wear.
(v) Safety devices and operational aids for proper operation (including significant inaccuracies).
(vi) Gasoline, diesel, electric, or other power plants for safety-related problems (such as leaking exhaust and emergency shut-down feature) and conditions, and proper operation.
(vii) Chains and chain drive sprockets for excessive wear of sprockets and excessive chain stretch.
(viii) Travel steering, brakes, and locking devices, for proper operation.
(ix) Tires for damage or excessive wear.
(x) Hydraulic, pneumatic and other pressurized hoses, fittings and tubing, as follows:
(A) Flexible hose or its junction with the fittings for indications of leaks.
(B) Threaded or clamped joints for leaks.
(C) Outer covering of the hose for blistering, abnormal deformation or other signs of failure/impending failure.
(D) Outer surface of a hose, rigid tube, or fitting for indications of excessive abrasion or scrubbing.
(xi) Hydraulic and pneumatic pumps and motors, as follows:
(A) Performance indicators: Unusual noises or vibration, low operating speed, excessive heating of the fluid, low pressure.
(B) Loose bolts or fasteners.
(C) Shaft seals and joints between pump sections for leaks.
(xii) Hydraulic and pneumatic valves, as follows:
(A) Spools: Sticking, improper return to neutral, and leaks.
(B) Leaks.
(C) Valve housing cracks.
(D) Relief valves: Failure to reach correct pressure (if there is a manufacturer procedure for checking pressure, it must be followed).
(xiii) Hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders, as follows:
(A) Drifting caused by fluid leaking across the piston.
(B) Rod seals and welded joints for leaks.
(C) Cylinder rods for scores, nicks, or dents.
(D) Case (barrel) for significant dents.
(E) Rod eyes and connecting joints: Loose or deformed.
(xiv) Outrigger or stabilizer pads/floats for excessive wear or cracks.
(xv) Slider pads for excessive wear or cracks.
(xvi) Electrical components and wiring for cracked or split insulation and loose or corroded terminations.
(xvii) Warning labels and decals originally supplied with the equipment by the manufacturer or otherwise required under this standard: Missing or unreadable.
(xviii) Originally equipped operator seat (or equivalent): Missing.
(xix) Operator seat: Unserviceable.
(xx) Originally equipped steps, ladders, handrails, guards: Missing.
(xxi) Steps, ladders, handrails, guards: In unusable/unsafe condition.
(3) This inspection must include functional testing to determine that the equipment as configured in the inspection is functioning properly.
(4) If any deficiency is identified, an immediate determination must be made by the qualified person as to whether the deficiency constitutes a safety hazard or, though not yet a safety hazard, needs to be monitored in the monthly inspections.
(5) If the qualified person determines that a deficiency is a safety hazard, the equipment must be taken out of service until it has been corrected, except when temporary alternative measures are implemented as specified in § 1926.1416(d) or § 1926.1435(e). See § 1926.1417. 1 citations
(6) If the qualified person determines that, though not presently a safety hazard, the deficiency needs to be monitored, the employer must ensure that the deficiency is checked in the monthly inspections.
(7) Documentation of annual/comprehensive inspection. The following information must be documented, maintained, and retained for a minimum of 12 months, by the employer that conducts the inspection: Open (f)(7) 15 citations
(i) The items checked and the results of the inspection. 1 citations
(ii) The name and signature of the person who conducted the inspection and the date.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1412.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 33 |
| 2026 | 14 |
Top states: GA (16), MI (11), NC (7), FL (6), SD (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP. | BROWNSVILLE, TX | $16,550 |
| GRANGAARD CONSTRUCTION, INC | MENNO, SD | $16,550 |
| GPPC INC. | SAIPAN, MP | $14,895 |
| RZM CONSTRUCTION INC. | LAWRENCEVILLE, GA | $11,823 |
| RIGOBERTO ZETINA | FLOWERY BRANCH, GA | $11,823 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1412(f), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Discretion in Enforcement when Considering an Employer's Good Faith Efforts During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic (2020-04-16)
- Expiration date of annual crane inspections and annual inspection requirements. (2016-03-15)
- Clarification of 'at least every 12 months' annual crane inspection requirement. (2015-09-10)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1412(f)(1) 57 citations
- 1926.1412(f)(7) Documentation of annual/comprehensive inspection 15 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
How often is the annual crane inspection required?
At least every 12 months.
Who must perform it?
A qualified person.
Is disassembly required?
Disassembly is required as necessary to complete the inspection.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1412 (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 2026-10-19
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.
