Safety Tidbit #32 – Frequent Crane Inspections

Safety Tidbit #32 – Frequent Crane Inspections

So how many times have you inspected a work site and there was some sort of crane?  Cranes come in many shapes and sizes to help us handle all kinds of materials.  Usually, when I ask the client if they’ve inspected the crane they promptly answer “Yup every year we have a guy come in and check it out.”  However, crane inspections, as specified by OSHA 1910.179(j)(1)(ii) are split into two general classifications (frequent and periodic) based on the performance interval of the inspection based on the risk of the failure due to deterioration, wear or malfunction.

“Frequent inspections” or done typically daily, however, if the crane is not used daily the employer must inspect the crane before each use or, at least, monthly.  “Periodic inspections” are done monthly to annually.  I’d like to take a little time to talk about the “frequent” inspections as they are the inspections I most often find that employers forget.  Frequent inspections are less comprehensive than periodic inspections and include careful examination of all functional operating mechanisms for proper operation.  They also include reviewing for deterioration or leakage in lines, tanks, valves, pumps, and other of the air or hydraulic systems.  Also, looking at hooks for deformation or cracks and hoist chains and end connections for excessive wear, twist, distorted or stretched links.  OSHA [1910.179(j)(2)(iii) and (iv)] requires the hook and hoist chain inspections be recorded at least monthly in a written format.  The record must include the date of the inspection, signature of the person who performed the inspection and the serial number or unique identifier of the hook or hoist chains.

1910.179(j)(3) delineates that periodically or annually complete inspections of the crane are required.  However, remember earlier OSHA said these inspections are done every 1-12 months not necessarily “annually.”  Which brings me the reason for this Safety Tidbit – When do I have to inspect my crane?  Well, let’s look at a few scenarios of crane usage which I think illustrate when the employer needs to inspect their cranes.  First, cranes used every day (or even multiple shifts in a day – a pre-shift inspection may be advisable) need to be visually inspected each day, and the results of the visual inspection recorded, at least, monthly (weekly might be good). These cranes then must be comprehensively inspected yearly.  The hope is that the frequent visual inspections and the daily use of the cranes provides much more familiarization with the crane and knowledge if something becomes worn or deteriorated. 

If a crane is not used every day but at least within the last six months (so maybe every other month or possibly quarterly) it must be visually inspected as specified in 1910.179(j)(2).  And, remember, you need to record the results of this inspection since frequent inspections get recorded monthly when you used the crane daily as we just discussed. 

Lastly, if you use the crane even less frequently than monthly but at least annually you must conduct a complete periodic inspection before using the crane.  Therefore, if you only use your crane about every seven or eight months you must perform a comprehensive inspection each time you use the crane. 

On a slightly different note, if you have a standby or backup crane, it must have a complete periodic or comprehensive inspection every six months. And, oh, by the way, you will need to complete the frequent inspection before each use and you may as well record the results of the inspection since you don’t know when you will next use the standby or backup crane.

Hope this was informative and thank you for reading.