Pre-Operational Inspection and Crane Setup
Know the inspection frequencies
A pre-shift (daily) inspection is performed before each shift or use; it is visual plus an operational check of controls and brakes. Periodic (monthly) and annual inspections are more thorough, documented, and performed by a qualified inspector. A question claiming the operator should perform a documented structural inspection monthly is testing this distinction.
What the pre-shift covers
Hooks (throat opening, cracks, latch function, swivel), wire rope (broken wires, kinks, birdcaging, corrosion, end connections), brake function, upper limit device, trolley and bridge travel limits, warning device, controls and pendant, festooning and cable, runway rails, end stops and bumpers, rail sweeps, guards, and the disconnect. Then run it empty: hoist, lower, bridge, and trolley in each direction, listening for unusual noise and watching for drift or sluggish response.
Setup and configuration
Confirm the crane is on its own runway with end stops intact, clearances to walls and adjacent cranes are adequate, and any rail clamps or anchors are released before travel. Verify the power supply and disconnect match the crane, and that a radio pendant is addressed to the crane you are actually running - selecting the wrong crane on a radio is a classic setup error.
Tag it and stop
A defect found in the pre-shift inspection means the crane is removed from service, tagged, and reported, not operated slowly and watched. Repairs and alterations require a documented re-inspection before the crane returns to work. Inspections never substitute for maintenance.
Rule of thumb: if you would not sign your name to it, tag it.