Shannahan Crane & Hoist

How to Inspect a Crane for Safety Issues and Prevent Injuries

Most people assume that the industry for manufacturing construction equipment is enormous. However, many people are shocked when they find out how huge the manufacturing market is just for creating overhead cranes. Every year, the United States alone has an overhead crane manufacturing industry that generates $977 million in revenue!

Of course, one reason that people spend so much on cranes is that they do not invest in crane safety and maintenance. If you neglect your cranes, you increase the risk of injury as well as the risk that you will need to spend money to replace a crane that has not received attention for its wear and tear.

However, the right crane inspection process can help you detect problems before they lead to serious issues. That makes crane safety inspection an investment that will more than pay for itself in reduced injuries and lower maintenance costs.

So what should you focus on when it comes to a crane safety inspection? Read on to learn all about the most important things to keep in mind as you are inspecting a crane!

Prepare for the Inspection

It is important to set up reliable inspection processes. That means both making sure that inspections are thorough and effective as well as making sure that they happen at the right times.

There is little point in investing in a perfect crane inspection checklist if you do not have a system that makes sure that someone performs the crane inspection when it is time to do so.

Consider picking a frequency for crane inspection that provides necessary safety without going overboard. Make sure that whoever performs the inspection creates a record of each inspection at the time that they make it.

In some cases, it is not any single inspection that helps discover an issue with a crane. Sometimes, it is by looking at reports across multiple inspections that you can put the pieces together and diagnose a problem.

Although there are many aspects of crane inspection that are universal across cranes, you should also consult the manual for your specific crane. It may include details that you will need to add to your inspection.

When it comes time to begin the inspection, start by making sure that the crane is de-energized. However, to be even safer, consider tagging it so that no one accidentally starts to use it during the inspection.

It is also a good idea to advise everyone of the inspection in advance of its occurrence. This is even more important if inspections are new rather than routine.

You should also make sure to clear everyone away from the crane during the inspection process.

Once that is done, you can check the warning signs to see if any of them are turned on. In case anything goes wrong, it is also a good idea to double-check the location of the disconnect switch.

Reduce Injuries With Compatible Lifting Devices

Once you are prepared, the first thing to do is check for compatibility between the crane and the lifting device. Sometimes, people link up incompatible devices. These devices sometimes function for a while, but if they are not designed for compatibility, there is a higher chance that they will eventually cause an accident.

Then, you can make sure that the load is not heavier than the official capacity of the crane. At the same time, it is important to distinguish between the official capacity of a crane and its actual capacity. For that reason, test lifting the load to ensure that there are no issues.

Check Buttons to Improve On-Site Safety

When crane system buttons are released, they are supposed to turn themselves off. That way, if someone forgets to attend to the buttons, they will not end up stuck in the on position.

In some cases, crane buttons start to stick. Although this may seem like a minor issue, it can lead to catastrophic results. If you notice any sticking in the buttons at all, make a note of it and make sure that the appropriate people become aware of it.

You can also test that all of the buttons do what they are supposed to do.

Look For Wear and Tear to Reduce Crane Injuries

There are several areas of the crane that are especially vulnerable to wear and tear. You should look at the hoist hooks to look for any cracks or other signs of weakening material. You can also check the crane bottom block to see if any of its parts are showing signs of wear and tear.

The same applies to the wire rope and load chain. In particular, check the wire for signs of corrosion. Make sure that the diameter of the wire is what it should be.

Test the Brakes to Follow Health and Safety Best Practices

Few functions of the crane are as essential as the brakes. Subject them to thorough testing to make sure they will not fail at an inopportune time. You should also make sure that the crane is not leaking oil or any other fluid.

Invest in Proper Inspection to Reduce Personal Injury Claims

At first, the infection process can take a while. However, as it becomes more routine, it will get easier to finish without taking too much time. In the end, proper crane inspection will provide more than enough benefits to pay for the cost in time and thoroughness.

Understand How to Perform an Inspection to Maximize Crane Safety

Investing in crane safety will more than pay for itself in the long run as you reduce injuries. Taking the time to give focused attention to maintenance and inspection can help workers feel safer while also reducing personal injury claims. It will also allow you to enjoy functional cranes for longer as you detect small problems before they develop into big ones.

To learn more about how to find great cranes and keep them in top condition, reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!

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