5 Signs it’s Time to Schedule an Overhead Crane Inspection

Is your crane operator conducting a visual overhead crane inspection daily?

Occupational Health and Safety Organization (OSHA) regulations may require it depending on the class of crane you’re using.

Meet with your team and use this list to help understand these five critical signs it’s time to order a comprehensive inspection of your overhead crane.

1. There are Obvious Signs of Damage

Cranes have a lot of load-bearing and otherwise essential parts that can accrue minor damage over time. While small wear and year might not seem critical, it can add up. Here are a few (though not all) key places to look for obvious damage:

• Cracked or bent hooks
• Damage on the hoist, trolly, or bridge
• Frayed wires or stripped insulation in electrical systems
• Safety latches
• Sheave guards
• Buttons and controls (make sure they’re working and not sticking)

In addition, it’s a good idea to make sure all of the warning systems are functioning properly in case something does go wrong.

2. Observable Parts are Loose or Seated Improperly

Damage isn’t the only thing to check for in your overhead crane inspection, however. A loose or poorly seated wire or rope mechanism can be just as dangerous as a broken part if not caught in time.

Is wire spooled and seated around drum grooves properly? Are all bolts and rivets properly tightened? Are there signs of abrasion on these components or broken strands on running rope?

3. Visible Corrosion on Metal Parts

Corrosion and metal parts go together like Starsky and Hutch. Left unattended, they’re just as inseparable.

While it might seem minor, small patches or rust can be signals for deeper, non-visible corrosion that can challenge the structural integrity of machine parts.

Corrosion can also affect wiring, panels, buttons, and other operating parts.

Bottom line: When you see corrosion, don’t dismiss it. Inspect, check, and repair.

4. Pads are Starting to Wear

Whether you’re looking at outrigger pads, crane pads, or slider pads, it’s important to not leave these off your inspection checklist.

This includes making sure the materials aren’t rotted, warped, or cracked and operating within manufacturer guidelines. You also want to check to make sure there aren’t any electrical grounding issues, as some pads are designed not to make a connection with the ground and wear can impede this.

5. Previous Operators Used Mismatched Load Capacities

It’s not just the load capacity of the crane itself operators have to worry about, but that the loads of individual components are in sync.

Operators and inspectors who have used mismatched load capacities — or worse, don’t know the load capacities — of their overhead cranes risk serious damage and mechanical failure.

In this case, it’s best to do a check of load capacities of all components. If these aren’t known at the time, it’s time to find out and require a load test of all components down the line.

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