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158 Crane Safety: Basic
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Shift and Monthly Inspections

A competent person must visually inspect the equipment each shift the equipment is used. Taking apart equipment components and booming down is not required as part of this inspection unless the results of the visual inspection or trial operation indicate that further investigation is needed. The monthly inspection is the same for most equipment.

Make sure tires are in good condition and properly inflated.
  • If the inspection shows a safety device is not working properly, the equipment must not be used.
  • If it shows an operational aid is not working properly, the equipment may be used for a limited period (7 or 30 calendar days depending on the type of operational aid) as long as specified temporary alternative precautions are taken.
  • For the other items covered by the inspection, if the deficiency is serious enough to be a safety hazard, it must not be used until the deficiency is corrected.

Shift inspections need not be documented, however monthly inspections do need to be properly documented and maintained for a minimum of three months.

If a deficiency is identified, does the equipment need to be taken out of service until the deficiency is corrected?

Before the equipment can be used, it must be inspected by a qualified person to ensure it is configured in accord with manufacturer equipment criteria.

  • The qualified person may be the A/D director.
  • Where manufacturer equipment criteria are unavailable, a qualified person must determine if a registered professional engineer (RPE) is required to assist.

Corrective Action

If a qualified person who conducts an inspection identifies any deficiency in any of the items inspected and determines the deficiency constitutes a safety hazard, the equipment must be taken out of service until the deficiency is corrected.

If a qualified person determines, even though not presently a safety hazard, the deficiency needs to be monitored, the employer must ensure the deficiency is checked in the monthly inspections.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-8. Crane equipment must be visually inspected by _____ each shift the equipment is used.