When to Inspect Your Crane: Essential Frequency & Safety Guidelines

Overhead cranes are integral to construction sites.

Cranes are responsible for moving heavy, large objects from one location to another.

What’s more, they perform the duties that other material handling machinery cannot.

So, crane inspections should be a basic maintenance procedure. After all, it ensures onsite health and safety, whilst helping to meet deadlines.

What is the Difference Between Frequent and Periodic Inspections?

The OSHA 1910.179 puts inspections into two categories:

• Frequent
• Periodic

Frequent

Every site has a responsibility to make daily checks to ensure crane safety, such as:

• Hooks
• Hoists
• Wire ropes
• Functional operational mechanisms

These checks are usually made by the crane operator.

Periodic

Periodic checks will take place at different points through the year.

For example, you will have to perform:

• Normal service (annual basis)
• Heavy service (semi-annually)
• Severe service (quarterly)

The severe service checks will identify performance during arduous weather conditions or corrosive environments.

Why Do You Need Crane Inspections?

Serious and fatal injuries can occur if you fail to make regular overhead crane inspections.

Sadly, 4,379 private sector workers died at work in 2015, with 21% of fatalities in construction.

That is approximately 1 in 5 deaths.

Many lost their lives due to a fatal fall, electrocution, caught in machinery or from a falling object.

Injuries that can all happen when a crane is in operation.

Every site has an obligation to both its employees and the public to check its machinery.

Here are the four biggest reasons why you must inspect the crane:

• It is a legal requirement
• Human safety
• Liability
• Machinery reliability

It is imperative you have cranes inspected by trained, qualified inspectors.

As a result, you can maintain a safe, lawful and productive environment.

So, it is vital crane safety becomes a site’s top focus.

What are the Inspection Requirements?

Every site has a responsibility to make inspections on all machinery.

Cranes installed after August 31, 1971, must also meet ANSI/ASME specifications.

Cranes can pass an inspection even if they received modification. A qualified engineer/manufacturer must check the modified structure suits the re-rated load.

If it doesn’t, it will not pass the inspection.

Every site must mark the rated load on each side of the crane. You must also show the rating for each hoist.

You will not pass an inspection if the walkways compromise health and safety.

If you have a parallel crane, it’s vital to have a clearance between the two bridges.

It is also important to note that only designated personnel should operate a crane.

Conclusion

There is nothing more important than the lives of your employees and the public.

Every site has a legal and moral obligation to embark with regular crane inspections.

You should also aim to provide staff with health and safety training. This will help to create a safe workplace environment for all.

Never operate a crane without ensuring it is fit for purpose. Plus, ensure it is only reviewed by a qualified inspector.

Have you had any experience with any crane inspection issues? Got any advice to share? Write a comment below.