Who is qualified to inspect an overhead crane?

OSHA doesn’t come right out and state what the qualifications are for an overhead crane inspector. However, there is some useful information in the standards and Letter of Interpretation.

29 CFR 1910.179(a) defines designated as “selected or assigned by the employer or the employer’s representative as being qualified to perform specific duties.”

In the ASME standard B30.2-2001, Overhead and Gantry Cranes, a designated person is defined almost exactly the same. “A person selected or assigned by the employer or the employer’s representative as being competent to perform specific duties.”

So, there are three classifications: designated, qualified, and competent.

An OSHA Letter of Interpretation dated 2/1/93 sheds light on how these three related:

First, confirming the information given to you by this office over the phone, there are no Federal OSHA regulations requiring the certification of cranes, derricks or other material handling devices used solely in construction operations (covered under 29 CFR Section 1926.550), or used solely in general industry operations (covered under 29 CFR Sections 1910.179 and 1910.180). Therefore, cranes, derricks, and material handling devices used exclusively in general industry or construction operations are not required, under OSHA regulations, to be certificated by anyone. The owner must, however, maintain a record of inspections. OSHA regulations only require that such equipment be inspected during initial use and annually thereafter by a “competent person”, or by a government or private agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor. The owner must, also, maintain a record of these inspections.

There is wide latitude in the regulations as to the definition of a “competent person.” A competent person can be the equipment owner’s maintenance personnel or any other person the owner chooses, as long as that person is deemed “competent.” A competent person does not have to be a disinterested third party…

OSHA’s position is that a person who does not have a thorough knowledge of the requirements, regulations, and standards governing direct duties cannot be considered as being a “competent person.” This position has been upheld in a number of contested cases.