Crane Inspection, Maintenance and Defect Reporting
Inspection tiers
Know the difference between pre-start checks, periodic inspections and maintenance. Pre-start checks cover fluids, tyres, brakes, hydraulics, wire rope, hooks, safety devices, load moment indicator, alarms, lights and outriggers. Periodic inspections are scheduled by the manufacturer and may require competent persons. Maintenance follows the manufacturer's schedule and is recorded.
What to look for
Wire rope: broken wires, kinks, bird-caging, corrosion, crushed or heat-damaged sections, and correct termination. Hooks: cracks, deformation, missing safety latch, excessive throat opening. Brakes and clutches: function and adjustment. Safety devices: rated capacity limiter, load moment indicator, boom angle and length sensors, anti-two-block, outrigger interlocks. Structural: cracks, corrosion, loose bolts, hydraulic leaks.
Defect reporting
Any defect affecting safety must be reported, recorded and the crane taken out of service until rectified and verified. Do not operate with an inoperative safety device, even if the lift seems simple. Keep the logbook current. Defects are not just mechanical; damaged signage, missing tags and expired inspections count.
Traps
Questions test whether a minor defect can be deferred (safety-critical defects cannot), whether the operator can override a limiter (no), and whether a verbal report suffices (record it). Also watch for confusing a pre-start check with a full inspection.
Rule of thumb
If a safety device is not working, the crane is not working. Tag it out, report it, record it.