A crane that hasn't been used for more than a month but less than six months requires all frequent inspections before being used. Cranes that are idle for more than six months will require a complete inspection of both frequent and periodic inspections.

OSHA requires that all active cranes must be inspected once a year at the minimum. However, depending on the cranes usage, additional inspections will be required. Crane inspections fall under two general categories based on the intervals between inspections. Inspections that should be conducted daily or monthly are classified as frequent inspections. All other inspections are considered periodic inspections, which can occur bi-monthly, quarterly, or yearly.

Only a Qualified Person will be allowed to conduct the annual inspection of crane equipment. A Qualified Person also needs to inspect the equipment after it has been modified, repaired or adjusted and after the equipment has been assembled. A Qualified Person as defined by OSHA is one who, “by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, successfully demonstrates the ability to solve/resolve problems relating to the subject matter the work or project”. A Competent Person may conduct the work shift and monthly equipment inspection as long as the person has been trained in the required elements of a shift inspection. OSHA’s definition of a Competent Person is “capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surrounds or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to employees, and who has the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them”. Employers are responsible for designating Inspectors of specific types and capacities of cranes, just as it is the responsibility of the Employers to designate operators, riggers, signalpersons, spotters, and assembly/disassembly directors for each lift and each project.

Crane operators must be certified. Certifications may be by type alone and must be issued by an accredited certifying body such as NCCCO.

No, but they are similar. A crane is a complex device used for moving loads in various directions. While a hoist by itself can only raise and lower objects on a vertical plane, it is the component used for that purpose as part of a crane's wider application. Hoists, as well as cranes, are typically used in a construction or industrial setting.