How Much Does an OSHA/ASME Compliant Rigging Inspection Cost?

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2022 and has been updated to reflect current rigging inspection prices.

If you’re in charge of maintaining your company’s manufacturing equipment and machinery, take a second to think about how much responsibility actually falls on your shoulders. On a day-to-day basis, you may be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of any of the following:

• Bridge cranes, workstation cranes, gantry cranes, or jib cranes
• Hydraulic presses
• Tool and die equipment
• Tow motors, man lifts, or scissor lifts
• CNC machines, lathes, or mill machinery

You’re probably also responsible for rigging inspections and the maintenance of any lifting slings, hardware, below-the-hook devices, and personal fall protection that your employees use.

Rigging inspections are not optional. They are required by OSHA and ASME standards and are critical to ensuring workplace safety. Still, when safety managers and plant leaders first approach the subject, one of the first questions they ask is: How much does a rigging inspection cost? 

At Mazzella, we’ve built one of the most comprehensive rigging inspection programs in the country. This article explains what you can expect to pay, what drives inspection costs up or down, and why investing in proper inspections often saves far more than it costs. 

What is the Standard Price Range for Rigging Inspections?

Mazzella offers inspections on a port-to-port basis—meaning pricing includes the time it takes for our inspectors to leave the nearest office, travel to your facility, complete the inspection, and return. 

• Half-Day (four hours): $480 – $600 
• Full-Day (eight hours): $960 – $1,200 

This ensures all travel and inspection time is bundled into one transparent rate. 

What Factors Affect Rigging Inspection Cost?

Not every facility or rigging environment is the same. Several factors can influence the cost of an inspection: 

1. Equipment Volume 

A facility with 200 pieces of rigging will take significantly less time to inspect than a site with 1,000 items. 

2. Type of Rigging 

• Fast to Inspect: Nylon web slings, shackles, eye bolts. 
• More Time-Intensive: Multi-leg chain slings, lever tools, chain falls, below-the-hook lifting devices. 

The more complex the equipment, the more time—and cost—it requires. 

3. Complexity and Custom Equipment 

Custom-engineered lifting devices, larger chain falls, or spreader beams often require extra care and expertise. 

4. Travel and Logistics 

Distance from the nearest Mazzella branch and whether multiple inspectors are needed can impact the final price. 

How Can You Reduce Rigging Inspection Costs?

Proactive preparation on your part can help keep inspection time and cost down. 

Provide an Inspector with an Accurate Equipment List  

During the “front-load” discovery phase, detail every type and quantity of rigging. When inspectors have a better idea of what rigging equipment you have, this will speed up their process.  

Remove Obsolete Rigging 

Clearing out old, unused equipment before inspection saves time and money. 

Communicate Operational Changes 

If a building closes, operations shift, or equipment moves, let the inspection team know in advance. 

Rigging Inspection Cost Table 

Service Type	Duration	Price Range	What’s Included
Standard Rigging Inspection	Half-Day (four hours)	$480 – $600	Travel time (port-to-port), comprehensive inspection of all rigging equipment, full compliance documentation
Standard Rigging Inspection	Full-Day (eight hours)	$960 – $1,200	Travel time (port-to-port), comprehensive inspection of all rigging equipment, full compliance documentation
Multi-Inspector Jobs	Varies	Quote-Based	Two or more inspectors for larger facilities; reduces overnight/per diem costs
Additional Inspections	Biannual, Quarterly, or Monthly	Discounted Packages	Lower per-inspection cost when committing to recurring schedules
Fall Protection (Soft Goods)	Add-On	Included in Hourly Rate	Harnesses, lanyards, SRLs, beam straps (when applicable)

What Can You Expect During a Rigging Inspection?

To get the process rolling, a customer reaches out to a company who performs rigging inspections because they know they need some sort of documented third-party inspection of their rigging equipment. Oftentimes, we hear, “I know I need my slings inspected…tell me what I need to do and where I need to start.”

Typically, all you need is a phone call to give the inspection provider an idea of what type of inspection you’re looking for. Are you looking for an inspection that satisfies OSHA 1910.184?

Do you have lifting slings, below-the-hook devices, rigging hardware, or personal fall protection and need an inspection that covers all of the applicable ASME standards? Or, do you have a more stringent internal compliance program in place and you need an inspection to cover your stricter internal standards?

The brief consultation will give the service provider with an understanding of the types of rigging gear you have in your facility, how much of it needs to be inspected, and what your timeframe is to fulfill the mandated periodic inspection requirements.

Once the inspection is scheduled, the company will determine approximately how long the inspection should take place and how many inspectors will be required. For a smaller manufacturing or production facility, one inspector can typically handle a full inspection over the course of a 4-8 hour period.

For larger mills or high-production facilities, it may require a larger team of 5-6 inspectors to tackle the entire facility over the course of a couple of days. It really just depends on the number and types of rigging products on-site.

How Can You Prepare for Your Third-Party Rigging Inspection?  

There are several ways your company can prepare for a rigging inspection.  

Provide Previous Inspection Reports  

It is helpful to share previous inspection reports with your inspector ahead of time. Past records provide insight into the type, quantity, and condition of your rigging gear. They can also highlight items that were flagged in earlier evaluations.  

Provide an Inventory of Rigging Gear   

Even if you don’t have prior documentation, it’s helpful to provide an approximate count of the items that need to be inspected. This allows the inspector to estimate the required labor, the number of inspectors needed, and the total time required. 

Ensure Clear Access to Rigging Equipment  

Accessibility is one of the leading factors that influence how long a rigging inspection takes. Before the inspectors arrive, make sure your rigging equipment is not buried in storage or scattered across multiple areas.  

The goal is to create a clear, organized staging area where slings, hardware, and below-the-hook devices can be reviewed quickly and efficiently. When inspectors spend significant time searching for gear, moving equipment, or clearing space, the overall cost and total inspection time increase. 

Ideally, all equipment that requires review should be placed in a designated area that is easy to access and free from obstruction. If your rigging gear is normally stored throughout the facility, assign someone ahead of time to gather and consolidate the items before the inspection begins. 

Consider Your Work Environment and Site Requirements 

Every facility has unique safety and access requirements that even inspectors must follow.  

Some job sites require additional training before a contractor is allowed on-site. Others require specific protective equipment because of chemical baths, high temperatures, outdoor exposure, or work at extreme heights. If any of these situations apply to your facility, make sure the inspector knows beforehand so they can schedule the appropriate personnel and account for additional time. 

Some facilities also require background checks or drug testing for outside service providers. These processes often take time to schedule and complete. Sharing these requirements early prevents delays and ensures inspectors can begin the job as planned. 

If any of your lifting equipment requires special testing, such as magnetic particle testing or on-site proof testing, notify the inspection provider before they arrive. These services require additional planning and may involve special equipment or technicians. 

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What Type of Rigging Equipment Gets Inspected?

The type of gear being inspected comes down to the customer’s needs and wants. It may make the most economical sense to have the inspector or inspectors systematically go through all of your equipment at once to take advantage of their time and travel while they’re already on-site.

Over the course of an inspection, a rigging inspector can inspect any of the following product types:

• Lifting Slings: alloy chain slings, wire rope slings, synthetic roundslings, synthetic web slings, metal mesh chain slings, synthetic rope slings
• Rigging Gear: lever tools or chain falls (not permanently mounted), hoist rings, eye bolts, shackles, turnbuckles, hooks, etc.
• Below-the-Hook Devices: Lifting beams, spreader beams, c-hooks, die-handlers, etc.
• Personal Fall Protection: Harnesses, lanyards, and retractable devices

At the end of the inspection, you should receive a comprehensive inspection report that will give you insight into the effectiveness of your internal compliance programs and the training of your riggers and crane operators.

Remember, OSHA won’t penalize you for having gear that failed inspection and was removed from service. If anything, you can look at the numbers from your inspection reports and determine if there should be a larger investment in training for your riggers and operators. These types of reports can help you understand:

1. Are your employees inspecting their gear before each shift? Inspecting their gear before each lift?
2. Do they know how to properly inspect their gear?
3. Can they identify damage or irregularities that require the product to be removed from service?

Should You Consolidate Multiple Rigging Inspections?

Many facilities choose to have multiple categories of equipment inspected during the same visit. Lifting slings, rigging hardware, lever tools, below-the-hook devices, and personal fall protection can often be evaluated during a single trip.  

Combining inspection categories is usually more economical than having inspectors return multiple times throughout the year. It also consolidates your compliance documentation, making it easier to track and review items during future audits. 

Why You Should Be Skeptical of “Free” Rigging Inspections

It’s understandable why companies would be interested in a “free” inspection, especially if they have tight budgets and want to save money. However, these free inspections tend to be shorter and less in-depth, and they may cost you more money in the long run. Outside of checking the inspection off your to-do list, these types of inspections offer little to know insights or value.  

If OSHA investigates and finds incomplete inspections or missing records, the liability is on you—not the vendor. You will be better off paying for in-depth inspections that keep your workers safe and compliant. 

What’s Included in a Mazzella Rigging Inspection?

Every Mazzella rigging inspection provides you with:  

• A qualified, trained inspector (or multiple inspectors for larger facilities). 
• OSHA and ASME compliant inspection of slings, hardware, below-the-hook devices, lever tools, chain falls, and more. 
• Written documentation of every item inspected—even when standards don’t require it. 
• Actionable insights to improve safety, training, and efficiency. 
• Support beyond the inspection with access to educational resources, guides, and training content. 
• Access to repair and/or replacement of damaged items. 
• Operator training on the safe use, care, and inspection of lifting and rigging equipment. 

Mazzella can also inspect personal fall protection soft goods (harnesses, SRLs, lanyards, non-engineered items) as part of the same service, helping facilities cover multiple compliance requirements in a single visit. 

Do Mazzella Rigging Inspections Have Hidden Costs?

Mazzella’s quotes are transparent and formalized, but a few variables can affect pricing in certain cases: 

Underestimated Equipment Counts: If a facility lists 200 items but actually has 500, pricing will need to be reevaluated. 

Cancellation Policies: Large jobs requiring travel may incur cancellation charges if canceled at the last-minute. 

After-Hours Requests: Weekend, holiday, or third-shift inspections may require adjustments. 

Once quoted, Mazzella commits to the price. Adjustments are rare. 

HWhy Should You Choose Mazzella for Your Rigging Inspections? 

Remember, bringing a third-party rigging inspector into your facility shouldn’t be considered an added expense, but instead, an investment in the safety of your employees. If you have the proper compliance processes in place, and your employees are properly trained, then a rigging inspection should really just be a validation of how well those programs are working.

Mazzella’s inspection program is transparent and designed to keep your facility operating safely and within OSHA and ASME standards. On top of rigging inspections, Mazzella also provides: 

• Warehouse pallet rack inspections 

• Engineered fall protection inspections 

• Overhead crane inspections 

Instead of contacting (and paying) four companies to do your inspections, you can have all of them done through Mazzella. All of these inspections are on top of our wide range of service offerings. Contact Mazzella today to request a quote for your next rigging inspection. 

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