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Mobile Crane Daily Inspection Checklist: Pre-Shift Checks

Frequency
Every shift
Completed by
Crane operator
Approved by
Lifting supervisor
The checklist
36 checks · 5 sections

A mobile crane daily inspection checklist is the check the operator or another competent person completes before each shift: the documents in the cab, a walk-around of the hook, wire ropes, boom, hydraulics, tyres and outriggers, the set-up at the lift position (ground, level, swing area, power lines, wind), and function tests of the controls, brakes and safety devices such as the load moment indicator and anti-two-block. If a critical check fails, the crane is tagged out of service until it has been repaired.

In the United States, OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1412(d) requires a competent person to begin a visual inspection before each shift the crane is used, covering items such as hooks and latches, wire rope, hydraulic lines, tyres, ground conditions, level and safety devices. In Türkiye, the Work Equipment Regulation requires mobile lifting equipment to be used stably on the ground, with checks that tipping is prevented, and outdoor lifting to stop when the weather makes it unsafe. The MYK national qualification for mobile crane operators (13UY0172-3) lists positioning and daily checks of the crane as an operator competence.

This daily check does not replace the periodic inspection: in Türkiye an authorised person inspects mobile cranes at the interval set in the standards, or yearly if none is set; in the US a qualified person inspects them at least every 12 months. Nor does it replace planning and supervising each lift. See our construction site safety inspection checklist for the rest of the site.

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How to use this checklist

  1. Complete the form at the start of every shift, before the first lift, and go through the set-up section again each time the crane moves to a new position.
  2. Do the document and walk-around checks with the crane parked and the engine off, the set-up checks at the lift position, and the function tests without a load.
  3. Mark each check Pass, Fail or N/A (for example tyres and outriggers on a crawler crane), and photograph every failed item.
  4. If a critical check fails, do not lift: tag the crane out of service in the cab and report the defect to your supervisor in writing.
  5. Leave a copy of the signed form with the crane for the next operator and give a copy to your supervisor.

The checklist: Mobile Crane Daily Inspection Checklist: Pre-Shift Checks

Inspection details

Site / work location: 
Crane ID, plate or serial number: 
Crane type: 
Hour meter (h): 
Shift: 
Date and time: 

Documents and handover

  1. 1.

    The load chart and operator's manual for this crane are in the cab and legibleCritical

    Ref.: [7] [1]

    PassFailN/A
  2. 2.

    The latest periodic inspection report is kept with the crane and has not expiredCritical

    Türkiye: report by an authorised person, yearly unless the standards set another interval. US: annual inspection by a qualified person.

    Ref.: [1] [3]

    PassFailN/A
  3. 3.

    The previous shift's form has been read, and every defect it reported has been repaired

    Ref.: [2] [7]

    PassFailN/A
  4. 4.

    The operator is trained and assigned by the employer to operate this crane typeCritical

    Ref.: [1]

    PassFailN/A

Walk-around checks (engine off)

  1. 5.

    Engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil and hoist drum oil are at the correct level

    Ref.: [3] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  2. 6.

    Hydraulic and air hoses, pipes and fittings show no leaks, kinks or chafingCritical

    Look at the ground under the crane for fresh oil, fuel or coolant, and at hoses that flex as the boom moves.

    Ref.: [3] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  3. 7.

    Tyres are correctly inflated, with no cuts, bulges or worn-out tread

    Mark N/A for crawler cranes.

    Ref.: [3] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  4. 8.

    Boom, jib and superstructure have no bent, cracked or missing parts, pins or retainersCritical

    Ref.: [2]

    PassFailN/A
  5. 9.

    The hook has no cracks, deformation or excessive wear, and its safety latch closesCritical

    Ref.: [3] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  6. 10.

    Wire ropes show no kinks, crushing, birdcaging, broken wires, corrosion or heat damageCritical

    Look closely at the end connections, where the rope runs over sheaves and at the drum crossover points. A rope that has touched a power line must be replaced.

    Ref.: [4] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  7. 11.

    The rope is reeved as the manufacturer specifies and lies correctly on the drumCritical

    Ref.: [3] [4] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  8. 12.

    Outrigger beams, jacks and floats are undamaged, and the floats are fittedCritical

    Mark N/A for crawler cranes.

    Ref.: [9] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  9. 13.

    Cab windows and mirrors are clean and undamaged and do not block the operator's view

    Ref.: [3] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  10. 14.

    Battery, cables and electrical connections show no damage, corrosion, dirt or moisture

    Ref.: [3] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  11. 15.

    A fire extinguisher is on board and easy to reach

    Ref.: [1]

    PassFailN/A

Set-up at the lift position

  1. 16.

    The ground is firm, drained and graded, with no known voids, tanks or buried services under the outriggers or tracksCritical

    Ask the site for drawings or information on underground hazards, and look for settling or standing water.

    Ref.: [8] [3] [1]

    PassFailN/A
  2. 17.

    Outriggers are extended as the load chart requires, the floats sit on pads or mats, and the tyres are off the groundCritical

    The operator or a signaller watches each outrigger while it is extended and set; check that the jacks hold their position. Mark N/A for crawler cranes.

    Ref.: [9] [5] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  3. 18.

    The crane is level within the manufacturer's tolerance, as shown by the level indicatorCritical

    Check again after every move and set-up.

    Ref.: [3] [5] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  4. 19.

    The swing area of the superstructure and counterweight is barricaded or marked, and no one is inside itCritical

    Ref.: [11] [1]

    PassFailN/A
  5. 20.

    Overhead power lines in the work zone have been identified, and the safe clearance is marked or controlledCritical

    In the US, OSHA 1926.1408 requires precautions if any part of the crane, load line or load could come within 20 ft (6.1 m) of a power line.

    Ref.: [10]

    PassFailN/A
  6. 21.

    Wind and weather are within the limits given in the manufacturer's manualCritical

    Ref.: [7] [1]

    PassFailN/A
  7. 22.

    Where the operator cannot see the whole load path, a trained signaller is assigned and the signals or radio channel are agreedCritical

    Ref.: [1] [2]

    PassFailN/A

Function tests (engine running, no load)

  1. 23.

    After start-up, no fault or warning messages remain on the display, and the gauges read normalCritical

    Ref.: [2]

    PassFailN/A
  2. 24.

    The horn works and is within the operator's reachCritical

    Ref.: [5]

    PassFailN/A
  3. 25.

    Lights, beacon and travel or reversing alarm work

    Ref.: [2] [1]

    PassFailN/A
  4. 26.

    Control levers and pedals move freely and return to neutral when releasedCritical

    Ref.: [3] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  5. 27.

    Service and parking brakes hold the crane, and any foot-pedal brake locks workCritical

    Ref.: [2] [5] [1]

    PassFailN/A
  6. 28.

    The hoist raises, lowers and stops the empty hook smoothly, and the hook does not creep downCritical

    Ref.: [2] [3]

    PassFailN/A
  7. 29.

    Boom raise, lower, telescope and slew work smoothly, without jerking or unusual noiseCritical

    Ref.: [2] [3]

    PassFailN/A
  8. 30.

    The load moment indicator or rated capacity limiter is on and set to the actual configuration: outriggers, counterweight and boomCritical

    A wrong configuration setting gives a wrong capacity.

    Ref.: [6] [7]

    PassFailN/A
  9. 31.

    The anti-two-block device stops the hook block before it reaches the boom headCritical

    Ref.: [6] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  10. 32.

    The boom hoist limiting device and other limit switches stop the motion at their set pointCritical

    Ref.: [6] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  11. 33.

    Boom angle, boom length and radius indicators work and can be read from the operator's seat

    Ref.: [6]

    PassFailN/A

Result

  1. 34.

    Every defect found has been reported in writing to the supervisor and to the next operator

    Ref.: [7] [2]

    YesNoN/A
  2. 35.

    If a critical check failed, the crane is tagged out of service in the cab and is not used until repairedCritical

    Ref.: [3] [7]

    YesNoN/A
  3. 36.

    Notes and defects found

    Note: ________

Critical check: if it fails, stop and correct it before work continues.

Sign-off

Operator

Name: 
Signature: 
Date: 

Lifting supervisor

Name: 
Signature: 
Date: 

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Legal basis and references

  1. [1] Türkiye: İş Ekipmanlarının Kullanımında Sağlık ve Güvenlik Şartları Yönetmeliği (Resmî Gazete, 25.04.2013) — Art. 7 and Annex III: periodic inspection of cranes incl. mobile cranes, report kept with mobile equipment; Art. 8 and Annex II 2.1: trained, assigned operators; Annex I 3.1.6, 3.2.2: brakes, lighting, fire extinguisher, load markings; Annex II 2.3.1, 3.1.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.7: work area, stability, signaller, weather; Art. 10: instructions kept with the equipment.
  2. [2] Türkiye: Mesleki Yeterlilik Kurumu, 13UY0172-3 Mobil Vinç Operatörü (Seviye 3) Ulusal Yeterliliği (2013) — Units A1–A3: operator's work form, machine checks (fluids, leaks, brakes, gauges, lights, mirrors, tyres, rope, drum, hook, outriggers), positioning and daily functional checks, fault reporting.
  3. [3] United States: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1412, Inspections — (d) shift inspection by a competent person and removal from service; (e) monthly; (f) annual by a qualified person.
  4. [4] United States: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1413, Wire rope—inspection — (a) shift inspection of wire rope: deficiency categories and removal from service.
  5. [5] United States: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1415, Safety devices — (a) level indicator, boom stops, foot-pedal brake locks, outrigger jack holding devices, horn; (b) no operation unless in working order.
  6. [6] United States: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1416, Operational aids — (d) boom hoist limiting and anti-two-block devices; (e) boom angle, length and load moment indicators; repair deadlines.
  7. [7] United States: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1417, Operation — (a) manufacturer's procedures; (c) load chart and manual in the cab; (f) tag-out; (j) defects reported in writing; (n) wind, ice and snow.
  8. [8] United States: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1402, Ground conditions — (b) firm, drained and graded ground with supporting materials; (c)(2) known hazards beneath the set-up area.
  9. [9] United States: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1404, Assembly/Disassembly—general requirements — (q) outriggers and stabilizers: extension, weight off the tyres, floats attached, blocking under floats.
  10. [10] United States: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1408, Power line safety (up to 350 kV)—equipment operations — (a) work zone and 20 ft clearance assessment; (b) precautions against encroachment.
  11. [11] United States: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1424, Work area control — (a) swing radius hazards: barriers or markings around the rotating superstructure.

Version 1 · Updated October 24, 2026 · findrisk.net/checklists/mobile-crane-daily-inspection-checklist/

Frequently asked questions

How often does a mobile crane need to be inspected?

Before every shift it is used, plus deeper periodic inspections. OSHA 1926.1412 requires a shift inspection by a competent person, a documented monthly inspection, and an inspection by a qualified person at least every 12 months. In Türkiye, Annex III of the Work Equipment Regulation lists mobile cranes for periodic inspection by an authorised person, yearly unless the standards set another interval.

Who should carry out the daily crane inspection?

OSHA 1926.1412(d) gives the shift inspection to a competent person, who can be the operator. In Türkiye, the MYK national qualification for mobile crane operators (13UY0172-3) includes the daily checks, recording them on the crane's work form, signing it and reporting faults.

What if the load moment indicator or anti-two-block device is not working?

This form treats both as critical: do not lift, tag the crane out of service and report the fault. OSHA 1926.1416 says operations must not begin unless these operational aids work properly, allows only the temporary alternative measures it lists while they are repaired, and requires Category I aids such as the anti-two-block device to be repaired within 7 days.

At what wind speed should a mobile crane stop lifting?

Neither OSHA nor the Turkish regulation sets one figure; the limit comes from the crane manufacturer and depends on the configuration, so check the operator's manual. OSHA 1926.1417(n) requires the competent person to adjust operations for wind, and Annex II (3.2.7) of Türkiye's Work Equipment Regulation requires outdoor lifting to stop when the weather makes it unsafe.

What wire rope damage takes a rope out of service?

OSHA 1926.1413(a) lists what to look for every shift: kinking, crushing, birdcaging, core protrusion, significant corrosion, arc or heat damage and damaged end connections. Broken wires above the stated counts, a diameter loss of more than 5% or a broken strand stop the rope's use until it is repaired or replaced, and a rope that has touched a power line must be replaced.

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