A crane safety checklist is used to ensure that crane equipment is of safe use and is compliant to legal regulations and standards. Use this checklist for inspecting tower cranes before, during and after operational shifts. Maximize the use of this checklist by following these steps:
Crane safety is the practice of ensuring a safe working environment for workers and visitors when operating a crane on the worksite. Performing regular crane inspections can help promote crane safety as it can proactively identify risks and hazards that can cause crane accidents and fatalities.
A crane inspection is used for keeping cranes in peak operating condition and ensuring the safety of workers and bystanders. Performing regular crane inspections not only complies with legal regulations and standards like OSHA Standard 1910.179, it also mitigates the risk of costly fines, repairs, and workplace incidents associated with crane usage.
According to the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA), it is best practice to have only experienced and trained individuals conduct the inspection. Crane inspectors are expected to have formal training in the following:
Multiple hazards can arise when using large lift systems such as cranes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the year 2006 there was a record of over 72 fatalities in the US caused by crane accidents. Crane accidents can be caused by poor training, ignoring crane weight limits, rushed construction jobs, and improper maintenance.
Below are 3 of the common crane accidents that are avoided when identified early during the inspection:
Falling materials or loads are a major concern when using overhead cranes. They not only result in structural damage but also injury, or worse, death. Falling loads can be caused by various factors such as operator incompetency, two-blocking, slipping, mechanical failures and visual impairment. To mitigate risks of falling materials, maintenance supervisors or plant managers should observe the following:
When operating cranes, there is also a risk of it becoming in contact with power sources. Seeing as the crane is mostly made of metal, there is risk of electrocuting all workers in the vicinity. Crane accidents caused by electrical hazards can be avoided if safety protocols and preventative measures are in place. Crane operators should be well informed of potential danger zones and the proper work practices in working near power lines or any exposed energized area. Clearly mark danger zones with barriers, fences, or tape.
This occurs when crane’s weight limits are ignored. Exceeding the crane’s operational capacity can put the crane mechanism to stress and lead to irreversible damage that can be quite costly. Most commonly, overloading is due to human error. Specifically when operator’s heavily rely on their instinct in determining whether a load is too heavy for the crane. To prevent this from occurring, ensure that the operator is competent and has a clear understanding of load dynamics, lifting capacities, and safety protocols.
According to OSHA, ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), and CMAA standards, maintenance supervisors or plant managers are required to perform three different types of inspections throughout the lifetime of crane equipment.
OSHA Standard 1910.179 requires all new and altered cranes to be inspected prior to initial use. Appointed or authorized personnel will conduct an inspection of the crane’s components to check its installation and functions.
This is done through visual and operational inspection which is performed on a monthly or weekly basis, depending on the usage of the crane. Frequent inspections involve checking of hoist brake, wire rope, load chain, and the hook and latch to see if there are any abnormal sounds or damage in the mechanisms.
Like frequent inspections, the frequency of conducting periodic inspections depends on the usage of the crane. Cranes not used in more than a month but used within the last six months will be required to undergo a periodic functional test inspection prior to its next use. Periodic inspections entail checking for the following:
Routine crane inspections are integral to keeping active cranes in peak operating condition. They play a vital role in helping businesses achieve these four goals:
Crane inspections are typically outsourced to professional crane inspection service businesses because these services help implement a laser-focused maintenance program, which can be hard to achieve internally since management tends to cater to other aspects of the business. With your expertise, you offer business owners peace of mind, assuring them that they have done their due diligence in keeping crane operations safe while also adhering to strict crane safety regulations. You also provide them helpful insights on how they can keep their operations safe and compliant in the long run.
There are generally two ways crane inspections are performed today: through paper checklists and through paperless means. Let’s take a look at these two methods in practice and see the differences between them.
Here’s how crane inspectors often complete inspections with a paper checklist:
As you can see, paper-based inspection poses challenges that you may have already noticed in your crane inspectors’ everyday workflow. Challenges include the extra time spent collating necessary documents to create a report, piles of paperwork in your office, and delays in communicating crane safety issues.
As one of the main people who manage crane safety in your workplace, you may have asked yourself if it’s time for a change and considered crane inspection software as a solution. If this is the case, we’ll share with you the advantages you and your crane operators can enjoy with crane inspection software. With the demand for crane inspection services increasing every year, the importance of crane inspections can’t be emphasized enough. With crane inspection software, you can finally help uplift the quality standards of your inspectors’ work.
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On the other hand, here’s how crane inspections look like with businesses who use digital means:
Based on this workflow, you may have noticed that the inspector saved time with the administrative parts of the inspection and was able to quickly focus on providing solutions to the client.
A crane inspection checklist is a structured document that outlines the steps and criteria for assessing the condition and safety of a crane. It helps ensure that cranes are in proper working order and meet safety standards.
Trained and qualified personnel, often known as crane inspectors, are responsible for conducting crane inspections. These individuals should have a thorough understanding of crane operation, maintenance, and safety standards.
Yes, a crane inspection checklist can typically be customized to suit specific crane types, models, and operating conditions. It’s important to tailor the checklist to address the unique features and potential risks of each crane.
Crane inspectors have a lot to pay attention to on top of offering comprehensive inspections to your clients. They need to remain focused on their work as missing even a single detail during an inspection can result in catastrophe.
With SafetyCulture as crane inspection software , your inspectors can experience the following advantages not possible with paper-based inspections:
Keeping up with increasing customer demands is vital in growing your crane inspection service business. You need to keep everything as efficient as possible so you can reach out to more clients that seek top-notch crane inspection services. As such, it is crucial to be equipped with technology such as crane inspection software that helps you accelerate the business while also adhering to strict inspection standards.
To help you get started, we’ve prepared a free collection of best practice crane inspection checklists below. Use and customize them for your specific cranes and worksite.
This template can be used by operators to conduct daily safety checks for overhead cranes prior to use at the beginning of each shift. Begin by conducting basic safety checks before touching the controls. Then conduct equipment checks for the bridge, hoist, trolley and runways to ensure there are no loose, broken or damaged parts. Next conduct safety checks for attaching and moving loads. Finally provide any observations or recommendations that should be reported to the next operator or safety official.
Inspection template Powered byThis crane maintenance checklist is used for monthly maintenance checks of overhead cranes. Ratchet and electric chain hoists need to be inspected monthly to ensure better crane performance. Use this template to perform a detailed equipment evaluation for overhead cranes, capture photos of defects and notify persons in-charge for immediate resolution.
Inspection template Powered byThis OSHA crane inspection checklist inspects overhead and gantry cranes and is used to ensure that crane operators comply with mandated safety regulation by OSHA. Download and use this checklist to conduct thorough checks of the crane equipment and its electrical connections. This will also cover testing and the maintenance of cranes before using it.
Jai Andales is a content writer and researcher for SafetyCulture since 2018. As a content specialist, she creates well-researched articles about health and safety topics. She is also passionate about empowering businesses to utilize technology in building a culture of safety and quality.
This template can be used by operators to conduct daily safety checks for overhead cranes prior to use at the beginning of each shift. Begin by conducting basic safety checks before touching the controls. Then conduct equipment checks for the bridge, hoist, trolley and runways to ensure there are no loose, broken or damaged parts. Next conduct safety checks for attaching and moving loads. Finally provide any observations or recommendations that should be reported to the next operator or safety official.
This crane maintenance checklist is used for monthly maintenance checks of overhead cranes. Ratchet and electric chain hoists need to be inspected monthly to ensure better crane performance. Use this template to perform a detailed equipment evaluation for overhead cranes, capture photos of defects and notify persons in-charge for immediate resolution.
This OSHA crane inspection checklist inspects overhead and gantry cranes and is used to ensure that crane operators comply with mandated safety regulation by OSHA. Download and use this checklist to conduct thorough checks of the crane equipment and its electrical connections. This will also cover testing and the maintenance of cranes before using it.
