Inspection, Maintenance, and Setup Verification
Inspection, Maintenance, and Setup Verification
This domain covers the checks that must happen before and during use, plus the records that prove the crane is in condition to lift. The exam distinguishes a shift inspection from frequent and periodic inspections, and it tests specific removal criteria for wire rope, hooks, and safety devices.
Core rules
- Perform a shift or pre-use inspection: fluid leaks, tires, lights, brakes, outrigger beams, pins, pads, boom wear pads, sheaves, hook latch, wire rope, and safety devices.
- Test the load moment indicator or rated capacity limiter, anti-two-block device, and boom angle and radius indicators per the manufacturer. Confirm the correct chart and configuration is selected.
- Inspect wire rope for broken wires, kinks, crushing, bird-caging, corrosion, and diameter loss; follow ASME B30.5 and manufacturer removal criteria.
- Check hooks for throat opening, twist, wear, cracks, and latch function. A common removal trigger is throat opening increased by 15% or twist beyond 10°.
- Document defects and remove the crane from service until repaired and re-verified.
Worked example
A hook’s original throat opening is 1.75 in. It now measures 2.05 in. Increase = 0.30 ÷ 1.75 = 17.1%, beyond the 15% removal criterion, so the hook must be removed from service even if the latch still works. At 1.95 in, the increase is 11.4%, within that criterion, but the hook still requires inspection for twist, cracks, and wear.
Traps
Treating the anti-two-block as a convenience rather than a safety device; inspecting wire rope only at the drum wrap; accepting a hook with a missing latch; and running a crane with an expired periodic inspection.