On a construction site, it’s important to ensure your equipment is always up to standards. It’s up to everyone on the team to ensure that crane safety is at the front of your minds, so you can get the job done and keep everyone safe in the process. Cranes should be inspected at regular intervals in accordance with OSHA requirements. Read on for all the answers to your question, “How often should cranes be inspected?”
OSHA Standards
You can find information about crane inspection requirements in the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)’s 1910.179 standard concerning overhead and gantry cranes. OSHA guidelines specify two different inspection periods: frequent and periodic. “Frequent” inspections are performed daily to monthly, while “periodic” inspections are performed in 1- to 12-month intervals.
For instance, a few matters of frequent inspection include “all functional operating mechanisms for maladjustment interfering with proper operation” and “deterioration or leakage in lines, tanks, valves, drain pumps, and other parts of air or hydraulic systems.” Both of these inspections should be performed daily.
A few elements that OSHA recommends for periodic inspection include “cracked or worn sheaves and drums,” “excessive wear of chain drive sprockets and excessive chain stretch,” and “deformed, cracked, or corroded members.”
OSHA also sets forth several requirements for crane inspection depending on how often that crane is used.
Section 1910.179(j)(4) outlines the requirements for cranes not in regular use. There are different guidelines for cranes that have been inactive for 1-6 months or for over 6 months, as well as instructions for inspecting standby cranes semi-annually.
The guidelines in section 1910.197(l)(1) discuss preventative maintenance, and the next section covers maintenance procedure. It is absolutely critical that your team follows these guidelines for each of your cranes. If any part of your crane needs to be adjusted or repaired, be sure to do so before you ever consider using the crane on a job site.
Why Should You Follow Crane Inspection Requirements?
Following crane inspection requirements is important for many reasons, but two stand out above the rest. First, you always want to ensure the safety of you and your fellow team members. It might seem tedious to constantly inspect your cranes, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Those extra few minutes of preparation can save you so much time and worry in the long run.
Second, failure to comply with OSHA standards for crane inspection can result in sizable fines. These fines can add up quickly and rack up into tens of thousands of dollars. If violations continue, they could even cost you future jobs.
The easiest way to ensure you’re complying with OSHA regulations is to create a checklist. Look through OSHA’s guidelines and record everything they recommend then turn that information into a checklist that you can refer back to as needed. This practice is an easy way to make sure you and your team are doing your due diligence and being as safe and responsible as possible on the job.
