Crane accidents result in loss of human life and can cost billions of dollars in property loss.

Unfortunately, many of the overhead crane accidents that occur could have been avoided with regular maintenance or proper operation.

We’ve gathered this list of seven of the most common problems seen in overhead cranes in hopes that you’ll avoid your own disaster on the job.

Keep reading to find out more about what to watch out for when using this potentially dangerous type of heavy machinery.

1. Damaged Wire Rope

Over time, the wire rope can become damaged due to normal wear and tear. It can also be damaged because of improper operation or environmental factors.

The three ways to tell a wire rope is too damaged to use are when you spot:

• Birdcaging or unraveling of the strands
• Corrosion
• Visible damage

Immediately stop if you notice any of these during an inspection or operation.

2. Bent or Damaged Hooks

Another part of the overhead crane that can become damaged over time is the hook. Most often, these are damaged because of overloading. When they bend, there’s a higher chance they could break and lose the entire load.

3. Worn Out End Truck Wheels

The end truck wheels can become worn out naturally over time, or wear out more quickly than they should because of malaligned runways. Either way, if these wheels aren’t replaced as soon as necessary, it could spell disaster.

4. Malaligned Runways

If you hear loud scraping sounds, notice strange movements of the wheels or abnormal wear on the wheels, there’s a good chance the runways are malaligned. This is another problem with cranes that requires immediate attention.

5. Faulty Circuit

An overhead crane requires a large amount of power. Even so, it shouldn’t be blowing fuses regularly. If it is, it might have a faulty circuit which puts your entire team at risk.

6. Interrupted Contact

Another electrical problem many cranes have is with poor contact between the collector and the contact bars.

Interrupted contact can be caused by:

• Alignment issues
• Oxidization
• Corrosion
• Carbon graphite buildup

When contact is interrupted, it makes the crane far more difficult to operate, even for the most skilled of operators. This makes for a hazardous situation.

7. Electrical Hazards

This final common problem with overhead cranes has to do more with the operation of it rather than the crane itself.

When crane operators aren’t paying attention to their surroundings, they may come into contact with electrical lines. This can cause the entire crane to become electrified and often leads to the death of the operator and others nearby.

Want to Learn More About Over Head Crane Safety?

Now you know what some of the most common problems are with overhead cranes. Keep an eye out for these things, and you can help prevent a disaster in your company.

If you want to learn more about overhead crane safety, check out our blog. There are tons of posts there to help you better understand all types of heavy machinery.

Are you a purchasing agent trying to assess an overhead crane for replacement parts? Maybe you’re an engineer and need to create a custom industrial solution using an overhead crane. You might even be a dock worker in the market for a new crane hoist.

All of these positions have one thing in common: overhead crane maintenance and replacement parts. Regardless of your title, you understand that there are no cutting corners when it comes to overhead crane maintenance. The safety of all involved is at stake.

So how do you write the checklist for overhead crane maintenance? Does one list fit all?

The answer is no. Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to assess an overhead crane for maintenance and how to replace overhead crane parts.

Approaching Your Crane Maintenance Checklist

As you start to write your overhead crane maintenance checklist, remember how many different types of overhead cranes there are. Each will require different ways to maintain and service the machine, and their own crane replacement parts, too.

Are you maintaining a bridge crane? If so, is it single or double girder? Modular or process?

There are also gantry, jib, monorail, and workspace cranes out there. Each, of course, is designed for different industrial applications.

Before you can start your checklist, assess the work your overhead crane does. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How does my crane move?
• How often is it used?
• How heavy are the loads? What are they primarily composed of?
• Does the crane work indoors or outdoors?

The answers to these questions will help you assess where you need to pay the most attention in maintaining your overhead crane.

Electrical

Regardless of which type of crane you’re servicing, it’s likely it has an electric counterpart to it. If the crane is used frequently, slow or faulty electrical systems can slow you down.

It’s a good idea to upgrade your switch, breaking, and conduction systems to optimize your crane’s performance. This is a preventative measure, but it’ll save you time and money in the long run.

Mechanical

Here’s the tough thing about mechanical maintenance: after ten to fifteen years, it can be difficult to find replacement parts that fit your (now outdated) overhead crane.

This is a key consideration because overhead cranes are fundamentally mechanical machines. The last thing you want is a worn out mechanical part to present a safety hazard.

That’s why mechanical maintenance often means upgrading your crane’s mechanical elements to more modern pieces. Sure, you can always have your mechanics spruced up and repaired, but that’s not the best investment for the longevity of your machine.

Instead, opt for preventative maintenance. Upgrading will save you the headache down the line of your machine losing value because you can’t find one measly replacement part for it.

Overhead Crane Parts

If there’s one thing that’s true about overhead cranes: most aren’t created equal. Each machine requires a dedicated analysis of its function, purpose, and the lifespan of the overhead crane parts. It’s the only way to write an accurate essential maintenance checklist.

Need help with the process? We can help. Get in touch with any questions you may have about overhead crane maintenance and upgrades!

OSHA estimates that the number of crane accidents that involve injury is between 900-1100 every year.

Of these injuries, 89 are fatal on average. In other words, one of every ten people involved in an industrial crane accident die.  

That is way too many lives lost. Read on for ten crane safety tips to prevent injury on your work site.

1. Proper Planning

The first step you can take to ensure crane safety is to get accurate building heights and dimensions.

Ensure that the drawings are up to date and accurate. Make sure that the crane has clear access to the site away from power lines and other obstructions.

Proper planning ahead of time is essential for industrial safety later on in the project.

2. Schedule Timely Delivery

Coordinate delivery and placement of the industrial crane for the best time possible. Try to avoid having a crane on site before it is needed.

This also minimizes clutter on the work site.

3. Check Crane Inspection Records

Always review the cranes’ inspection records. Also, make sure that inspections are happening daily and are recorded in the log.

Preventative maintenance has many benefits. It will pay off in the long run.

4. Document Lift Plan

For every project, you should have a well-documented lift plan. This includes timelines, lists personnel who will operate the crane and the scope of the job.

This lift plan will help the crew avoid confusion and keep the project running smoothly.

5. Perform Pre-Lift Safety Meeting

Before you begin using a crane, gather everyone for a pre-lift safety meeting. Even if they have had this meeting before. A safety meeting is one way that you can ensure that everyone understands the risks and dangers and understands his or her safety responsibilities.

6 Beware of Overloading

A significant cause of crane accidents is due to overloading.

Many employees believe that the crane’s labeled load capacity is far below the true load capacity. This is untrue.

Always adhere to the labeled load capacity.  

7. Keep Away From Loads

Working under or too close to loads puts employees at risk. If a load falls on a worker, it is often fatal.

You can avoid serious injuries and worksite deaths by keeping a safe distance from loads.

8. Electrical Hazards

Electrical hazards are another source of common injuries. Always adhere to the minimum distance requirements for proximity to power lines.

Indoor cranes could come in contact with exposed wires. Be aware of the dangers and do a thorough inspection of the site before you begin working.

9. Perform Trial Lifts

Short, controlled lifts will help test the stability of the load. These trial lifts allow crane operators to make adjustments without putting anyone at risk.

10. Never Leave a Suspended Load Unattended

Last, but not least, never leave a suspended load unattended. This is one of the many OSHA requirements that saves lives. Follow this rule to maintain a safe work site for everyone.

Bottom Line on Industrial Crane Safety

We hope you found these ten industrial crane safety tips helpful. Remember, a crane is a powerful machine. You can’t be too careful.

The time you spend following safety precautions will always be less than the loss of work caused by a workplace injury.

Check out Kor Pak Corporation for various crane controls and material handling.

Cranes can come in handy in a construction site. Learn more about these six construction crane attachments for efficiency and convenience.

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Construction companies rely on heavy-duty equipment to facilitate their work. The construction industry generates $1 trillion worth of buildings and structures each year.

To fulfill the demand, all of the equipment used needs to be efficient and reliable.

When dealing with a construction crane, you must ensure you have the right attachments. In this article, we will discuss the six accessories you can’t be without.

1. Counterweights

As far as construction cranes attachment goes, you need to invest in a counterweight. The counterweights help prevent the crane from toppling over.

The last thing you want during your construction project is for the crane to topple over and hurt an employee or delay the day’s work.

Counterweights might not be necessary for every project, so having detachable weights will give the crane multi uses.

This attachment is available for loader cranes, on-site cranes, truck-mounted cranes, and even overhead cranes.

2. Rotex Gear

Known as the joystick, the Rotex gear can be found in the cabin where the operator can have easy access to it.

The Rotex gear attachment rotates the boom either in a counter-clockwise direction or clockwise. Cranes rely on this attachment to help the operator place the load on the right spot.

3. Outriggers

Cranes that carry heavy loads, need to not only pick them up, but they also need to carry them to a new destination. Cranes will need to carry the load to different terrains.

Outriggers will help the crane maintain the stability of the crane when transporting it from one place to the other while maintaining stability.

If the terrain is rocky, without the outrigger, the crane might have difficulty transporting the load.

4. Boom

The boom is a hook that’s located above the main cabin. This attachment is necessary since it can take heavy pieces and lowers them to the ground from a certain height.

Booms come in lattice booms and telescopic booms and are capable of changing directions accordingly.

When the project requires the crane to reach great heights, a telescopic boom is the right attachment to use. Crane operators use lattice booms when they need to work in a small narrow space.

The right boom will minimize crane repair.

5. Hydraulic Pump

If you plan to use a boom or other attachments, the hydraulic pump is a must. The hydraulic pump eases how the boom moves within the crane.

A foot throttle takes care of controlling the amount of pressure the operator uses on the hydraulic pump applied to the boom.

The operator can increase or decrease pressure when lowering objects.

6. Jib

You cannot attach a boom to the crane without a Jib — it’s part of the boom. The operator can use the jib to move the telescope or the boom.

In case of working with extra heights, the jib helps the crane get the job done.

Get These Construction Crane Attachments

A construction crane is necessary to perform many projects and deliver to clients. Having the right attachments can facilitate the work. Consider getting a jib, hydraulic pump, boom, and Rotex gear to attach to a crane.

Want to learn the five steps to perform a thorough overhead crane inspection? Check out this article.

From manufacturing to warehousing to construction, cranes have many industrial uses — these powerful machines aid in lifting heavy materials and loads.

Cranes come in different types and sizes to meet the demands of different users. If you plan to operate a crane, you’ll need to follow requirements for safe operation of the equipment.

You’ll also need to take proper care of the equipment to ensure they remain in good working condition at all times.

Here’s a basic guide on proper crane operation and maintenance to get you started.

Crane Operation

Crane operation can pose serious safety hazards to those involved in the job. Identifying these hazards and taking preventative steps is vital for maintaining safety during crane operations.

Here are a few crane operation basics to ensure safety during crane use.

Use Qualified Crane Operators

Crane operators are responsible for ensuring the safe use of crane equipment. Operator error is one of the biggest causes of crane accidents. These operators must ensure proper securement of loads before lifting.

They must also ensure cranes aren’t used to lift loads exceeding the acceptable load limit. Crane owners can upgrade their existing equipment if they need a performance boost.

If a crane operator causes an accident, the crane user will be held liable for the accident and any injuries or property damage that may occur thereof.

Using qualified crane operators is vital for minimizing the risk of crane accidents. Skilled operators will know what to do to ensure safe operation of the equipment on the job.

Train the Entire Team on Crane Safety

Crane operators don’t usually work alone. They work with other personnel to ensure smooth and safe lifting operations. This personnel includes riggers, spotters, and site supervisors.

Training the whole team on crane safety is vital to preventing crane accidents that may occur due to poor communication between team members.

The level of training provided should match the types and level of risks involved.

Provide All Members of the Team with Appropriate PPE

Crane accidents can happen at any time. Operators should be equipped with PPE (personal protective equipment). PPE only protects individual workers and only works when worn or fitted the right way.

Regardless of these limitations, the use of PPE is vital. After all, it’s the last line of protection the wearer will have against a particular hazard.

Crane Maintenance

Like other heavy equipment, cranes need ongoing maintenance to provide dependable service.

Routine crane maintenance can help in early identification and remedying of repair issues. It can also help prolong the lifespan of the lifting equipment.

A proper crane maintenance checklist should include the following items:

• General routine maintenance checks
• Pre-operation checks
• Preventative inspections
• Mandatory compliance inspections

Having operators perform daily checklist inspections will prolong the life of your crane and help prevent accidents.

Is Safety the Only Reason to Take Proper Crane Operation and Maintenance Seriously?

Besides posing threats to safety and life, crane hazards can also hurt a company’s bottom line. Ninety-eight percent of companies surveyed reported one hour of unplanned downtime cost them at least $100,000.

Scheduling regular crane inspections with a reputable company will give you peace of mind.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need more information on the importance of crane operation and maintenance.  

Cranes can last decades if you buy them from a reputable brand and maintain them properly. But, no matter how much preventative maintenance you undertake, all machinery gives up eventually.

The key is to know whether you can replace some parts or if you have to buy a new one altogether. Read this to find out more about crane repair vs. crane replacement and which is best for you.

Top 3 Signs You Need to Hire a Crane Repair Service or Replace Your Crane Altogether

Here are the top 3 reasons you may need to replace or repair your crane:

1. Your Production Needs Have Changed

As your company grows, it’s normal for your production needs to change. These are some of the key reasons your production needs may have changed:

• You’re lifting heavier materials
• You need to be faster
• You need more precision

You may also find that you’re lifting more during each shift. If this is the case, it may be worth buying an extra crane.

2. There are Signs of Excessive Wear

Over time, your crane components will need more regular repairs. If this is the case, you may find that these repairs are becoming more expensive than the cost of a new crane.

If you’re in this situation, you need to consider the cost of each service and replacement. You also have to think about the value of closing down or slowing your production line when you can’t use your crane.

3. You No Longer Meet Health and Safety Guidelines

In the US, there are specific health and safety guidelines you must adhere to. If you don’t meet these, the ASME, OSHA, or CMAA may shut down your operation.

With this in mind, it’s essential that you create a regular inspection schedule.

Signs You Should Replace Your Crane

One of the main reasons you use a crane in your business is to increase efficiency. It’s also to make your workspace safer. If these two factors aren’t met, it’s time to upgrade. Also, you should replace your crane if:

• Your operations aren’t performing as they once were
• You’re investing too much in repairs
• There have been many malfunctions, injuries, or equipment issues

Aside from increasing your efficiency, new equipment could put you ahead of your competition.

Signs You Can Repair Your Crane

You may think that the only reason you need a crane repair service is when your crane stops working. But, you can also hire these services to modernize your crane.

These upgrades can be more affordable than replacements. Some of the most common ones include:

• Hoist improvement
• Speed alterations
• Radio installation
• Capacity expansion

You can also change the power source from DC to AC.

Contact Kor Pak for All Your Crane Modernizations and Upgrades

As you can see, there are various reasons you can hire a crane repair service rather than replacing your equipment altogether. That said, before you make a final decision, it’s essential you weigh the pros and cons. If a repair service costs you more in the long run, it may be worth buying a new crane.

If you want to find out more about crane repairs, including modernizations and upgrades, contact Kor Pak. We can help you with all your crane maintenance and tell you which option is best for your individual needs.

A whopping 2.9 million injuries and illnesses in private U.S. workplaces occurred in 2016. Granted, this was almost 50,000 fewer than the previous year, but it’s still a considerable number.

What’s more, many of these were preventable, if only employers made sure they conducted proper workplace safety policies.

This is especially true for organizations relying on heavy machinery, such as cranes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that from 2011 to 2015, 220 crane-related fatal injuries occurred. After all, there are over 250,000 crane operators throughout the country.

It’s for this reason; complete overhead crane inspection programs are a must in your business. Failure to can cause serious repercussions extending beyond legal liabilities. It’s the safety and lives of your people (and the general public), after all.

So, read on to make sure your inspections are complete and thorough!

1. Make Sure You Have a Qualified Inspector to Do the Job

First, make sure the person who’ll carry out the job has adequate experience in conducting OSHA crane inspection services. That means a complete understanding of the appropriate crane-related Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.

For instance, there’s the OSHA 1910.179, ASME B30.2. It consists of regulations for the inspections for overhead cranes. It also covers general and maintenance requirements, as well as proper operating procedures for such equipment.

In any case, it’s essential that your overhead inspector meets all the required qualifications.

2. The Daily Inspections

To comply with all regulations surrounding crane safety, you need to ensure your inspector conducts the necessary daily inspections. These include a thorough checking of the following components:

• Possible incorrect adjustments or excessive wearing of functional operating mechanisms
• Damages, such as leaks, in the equipment’s air/hydraulic components (including drain pumps, lines, tanks, and valves)
• Visible cracks or damages of hooks
• Excessive wearing or deformation (twisting or distortion) of hoist chains

Again, the inspector should perform these checks on a day to day basis.

3. The Monthly Inspections

At the end of the month, your crane inspector should take a closer look at any deformed or cracked crane hook. The inspector should have a written, signed, and dated record of the findings.

The same is true for the hoist chains, and end connections found to have excessive wearing (during the daily inspections).

Finally, there’s the once-a-month wire rope inspection. Again, the inspector should note and sign all details of wearing and damages, such as broken strands, for each identified rope.

4. The Periodic Inspections

How “often” depends on how much use your cranes receive. You may have to carry out these inspections once a month, every quarter, or twice a year.

• For load inaccuracies, the inspector needs to perform a crane load test
• Any type of damage (deformation or cracking) on members
• Unsecured (too loose) bolts or rivets
• Worn parts of the braking system
• Excessive wearing of pins, gears, lock and clamp systems, etc.

Periodic inspections also include checking for any deterioration of electrical components (limit switches, pushbuttons, etc.).

5. Proper Maintenance

No matter how serious your inspectors are in doing their jobs, it’s all to no avail without preventive maintenance. Proper inspections and crane maintenance always go hand in hand.

In other words, if the inspector finds damages on any components, they should undergo the needed maintenance or repairs ASAP.

Keep the Jobsite Safe and Injury-Free with an OSHA-Complying Crane Inspection Program

Workplaces that depend on heavy machines are some of the most dangerous job sites in the U.S. With a complete crane inspection program, along with proper equipment maintenance, you can bring down the safety hazards your workers are at risk of.

Ready to create a safer, healthier place for all your hardworking people? Then please feel free to connect with us! We can help you reach OSHA compliance with all your crane-related inspections.

For cranes to work effectively, specific requirements are needed. Modern cranes have all of the elements that cranes need today. If your cranes aren’t working to their fullest potential, they’re probably outdated.

Overhead cranes can last decades if properly maintained. But outdated cranes may not work correctly, creating an unsafe and unreliable experience for you and your workers.

If repair is out of the question, it’s probably time to replace your crane. Brand new cranes can improve production and offer a safe working environment.

Do you think you need to use modern crane equipment? Here are three signs it’s time to upgrade to new cranes.

1. Your Production and Lifting Requirements Changed

Production changes are common. When you got your original crane systems, it was probably designed to service your initiall crane requirements.

But changes to your system can dramatically impact your old crane’s performance.

If your new requirements call for more crane use, this can damage the crane. This includes damage to the controls, hoist, end trucks, trolley, and drive systems.

If there are business changes and you need your cranes to work differently, this is an excellent time to invest in new crane equipment.

2. You’re Enduring Frequent Crane Repair

Do you notice your crane performs in a faulty manner regularly?

Crane shutdowns interfere with your work performance. Repairs take time, and you’ll end up spending a lot of money. This is time and money you can save if you invest in new crane equipment.

Older cranes naturally need more preventative maintenance and repairs than newer cranes.

Even though you may not find it necessary to replace your correctly working old crane, a new crane will reduce time and money from maintenance.

If you find yourself calling for crane repair, it’s more cost-worthy to replace your whole crane system.

3. You Find Issues After an Inspection

You know the required crane specifications and the inspections you’re forced to endure. What if issues were uncovered after an inspection? Rather than cut corners by repairing or covering up the problem, it’s best to invest in a new crane.

New cranes will give you the comfort that your inspections will always pass. New cranes offer more safety and better work performance. There’s little chance of performance downtimes, and you’ll have your new crane for decades.

If an inspection reveals problems with your older crane system, be safe and invest in a brand new crane.

Time to Buy New Crane Equipment

Cranes have safety and performance standards. Oftentimes, your old crane doesn’t live up to these standards. Rather than undergoing constant repairs, it’s easier to buy new crane equipment.

Your workers will be safer, and your workflow will improve.

When inspections occur, you have the comfort of knowing your brand new crane will pass. And if you change your production requirements, you know your new crane can keep up with your unique needs.

Do you need a new crane or new crane parts? Take a look at our products.

The life cycle of a working crane’s wheels is a stressful one.

With the amount of pressure and movement they withstand day in, and day out, crane wheel maintenance is paramount.

When it comes to preventative measures to keep crane wheels in fine working order, here are some of the most important you should know.

How to Keep Crane Wheels in Working Order

A working crane is a host to a set of polyurethane or carbon steel wheels which play a vital role in the function of the crane.

This set of wheels refers to a runway system upon which the crane sits, moving along a track- also known as rail wheels.

Despite being manufactured from a seriously tough material, they still require regular maintenance. Otherwise, you could be faced with severe downtime.

Typically, gantry crane wheels are manufactured from polyurethane while other wheel materials may include alloy, low-carbon steel or medium-carbon steel.

The higher the rate of carbon in the steel, the more robust a crane wheel will be.

Heat treated carbon wheels also make for extremely hard-wearing wheels, increasing their load capacity and lifespan.

Some of the most common preventative measures to preserve your crane wheels include:

1. Changing Drive Wheels in Pairs

Most commonly, spare wheels are kept onsite in the instance where a rail wheel must be replaced.

But it’s essential to always swap out the drive wheels of a crane in pairs, and not as singular wheels.

This may seem like a waste, especially if the other drive wheel is still in relatively good working order. But failing to do so will lead to crane alignment issues down the line.

Just because the opposite drive wheel is not showing any visual signs of wear and tear, doesn’t mean it’s in 100% working order.

Nine-times-out-of-ten, it’s also very close to failure because it has been under counteractive strain.

Mainly, your crane drive wheels need to be precisely matched in diameter to avoid crane skew, flange and rail wear.

According to the CMAA, the safety standard is that the matching drive wheel must be .001 per inch in diameter with a maximum of .01 inches.

2. Misaligned Crane Runways

This can lead to what is commonly known as crane skew and misalignment issues.

If a reputable professional does not install your crane’s runway system, this can lead to significant issues with not only the wheels but entire crane system.

When a crane is not tracking correctly along the runway, this causes damage to the drive wheels, runway beams, and support structures.

This type of crane damage can ultimately lead to:

• Crane derailment or complete failure
• Prolonged equipment downtime
• Expensive repairs and replacements
• Serious or fatal job site accidents

A crane that fails to track correctly puts excessive strain on the wheels, wheel bearings, and wheel flanges. This can also contribute to damage to the crane’s motor drives.

If you notice any of the following signs, your crane runway may be misaligned:

• Broken or cracked wheel flanges
• A high rate of wear and tear on drive wheels, bearings and rails
• A higher rate of power needed to maneuver the crane along the runway
• Wheels that float over the rail, then crash down
• Loud, scraping noises as wheels travel along the runway

The best way to preserve your crane wheels is to ensure your crane alignment is regularly inspected by a reputable third-party. These third-party experts will be able to safeguard your crane is in compliance with CMAA standards and is entirely safe for operation.

Looking for Speciality Crane Parts?

Whether you’re looking for high-quality crane wheels, custom fabrication or specific crane parts, Kor-Pak offers the service you need.

Our primary goal as a business is to reduce your downtime, supplying heavy industry machine parts at peak efficiency.

Contact us today for all your specialty crane parts.

In 1989, a construction crane collapsed in San Francisco’s financial district, causing five fatalities and 19 injuries. Experts blame a lack of regulation.

Serious crane-related disasters are always a moment to reflect – what went wrong? More importantly, how can we prevent this from happening again?

Since 1989, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations have improved. Unfortunately, crane accidents still happen. In 2008 alone, there were 72 fatal crane-related accidents.

How can employers prevent these high-cost accidents from happening? That’s where routine overhead crane inspection comes in. Check out this guide to make sure you’re meeting your essential crane inspection requirements.

Why Inspection

Humans rely on machines to complete a seemingly endless array of tasks that society depends on. These machines are primarily reliable, but still susceptible to regular wear and tear. Human bodies can break down from extended periods of heavy use, and so can the nuts, bolts, and mechanisms of our most trusted machines.

That may seem obvious, but the federal government holds organizations accountable to that fact. That is why they uphold OSHA regulations for the regular maintenance of these machines. Cranes are also included in their ordinances.

Regular overhead crane inspection will improve the human safety conditions in your facility. It will decrease your accident liability, boost your equipment reliability, and keep you OSHA compliant as required by U.S. law.

Who Can Inspect

The Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) recommends that you have crane inspections conducted by an inspector with a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience.

The inspector should be able to demonstrate and provide proof of their experience in the practical areas of maintenance, servicing, repairing, modifying, and testing crane function. They should also be able to demonstrate and provide proof of their formal education in the field, including in-depth knowledge of the states and federal regulations.

How Often to Inspect

This is where things get a little complicated.

There are four categories of overhead crane inspection. It’s advisable to keep a schedule so you can track your compliance with these regulations.

Initial

When first purchasing new crane equipment, whether, for the first time or repair, every item must be tested.

According to OSHA, ” Prior initial use, all new and altered cranes shall be inspected to ensure compliance with the provisions of this section.”

Functional Test

OSHA also mandates that crane equipment should be visually inspected on a daily basis, before the beginning of use.

There should be a record of checks for leakage, wear and tear, maladjustment, deformation, and deterioration, usually conducted by the crane operator. The more complicated inspections can be conducted monthly.

Frequent

Unlike the functional testing record, these do not need to be as meticulous. Still, they should be documented depending on the use of the equipment.

Inspect heavily used cranes daily to weekly, moderately used cranes weekly to monthly, and lightly used cranes monthly.

Periodic

These inspections are much more thorough, and thus, are not as frequent. Lightly and moderately used cranes can be inspected yearly, while heavily used cranes must be inspected quarterly.

Even if a crane has not been used, it is required to have periodic testing before its next use.

Overhead Crane Inspection

If your organization does not meet OSHA’s overhead crane inspection requirements, you could be fined thousands of dollars. In case someone is injured, you won’t just lose more money, but there may even be a loss of life.

Routine crane inspections serve a very important purpose. Contact us today to see how we can help you integrate these procedures into your organization as smoothly as possible.