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Inspection, Services and Hiring


Q. Why do I have to have my cranes, hoists and lifting equipments inspected?
A: Four Simple Answers

Increased Human Safety: Having your "Frequent" and "Periodic" Inspections completed on a regular basis will most definitely provide a safer and more productive environment for your employees.

It is a Requirement: International standards require both a "Frequent" and "Periodic" Inspection be done on your crane, hoist and lifting equipments.

Liability: Inspections performed by a trained and qualified inspector will reduce your exposure to accidents and equipment failures.

Equipment Reliability: If you are performing inspections "Frequently" and "Periodically" your equipment will undoubtedly break down less, which leads to increased productivity. As noted in a study of the Process Industry, "You can expect a reduction between 60%-95% of your crane and hoist safety related defects in the first year if you have your cranes and hoists inspected regularly."
Q. How often do I need to have my crane and Lifting equipments inspected?
A: International standards break the inspections into two categories. "Frequent" & "Periodic"

Frequent Inspections: Daily to monthly intervals. (Visual and Operational Type)
  • Hooks, Hoist Chains, Wire Ropes and all functional operating mechanisms formal adjustment need to be checked daily. This is normally performed by the operator.
  • The Hooks, Hoist Chains and Wire Ropes need to also be more thoroughly inspected and documented on a monthly basis.


  • Periodic Inspections: Monthly to yearly intervals. (Complete Visual & Operational Type)
  • Normal service - annually
  • Heavy service - semi-annually (Heavy service is use at 80 to 100% of rated load or in excess of 10 lift cycles per hour as a normal procedure.)
  • Severe service - quarterly (Severe service is use at normal and/or heavy use in an abnormal environment such as high or low ambient temperatures, exposure to adverse weather, corrosive fumes, dust or moisture laden atmospheres, & hazardous environments A designated and qualified person shall determine whether conditions found during the inspection constitute a hazard and whether disassembly is required for additional inspection.
  • Q. What are the qualifications to inspect cranes and hoists?
    A: First let's define a Crane and Lifting equipment Inspector.

    A Crane and lifting equipment Inspector is any person engaging in the testing, examination, and/or inspection of cranes, hoists and Lifting equipments

    Now the Qualifications.

    Experience: An inspector, according to standards, shall have at least 2,000 field hours of experience directly related to the maintenance, servicing, repairing, modifying and functional testing of cranes, hoist and lifting equipment. It also notes that under no circumstances should an individual be permitted to perform inspections who has not received appropriate training and does not have knowledge of the applicable codes and regulations of the equipment to be inspected.

    Required Training: The inspector should have formal training in the areas of: safety and design codes that are related to cranes and other Lifting Equipments; Federal, State and local codes and standards; safe operating practices of lifting equipments; understanding of how to write a report and documentation procedures; and understand the Lifting Equipment terminology to better communicate.

    The words "should" and "shall" are used throughout the codes and standards. The inspector shall receive training to understand the meaning of these words and be able to accurately explain if a corrective action is mandatory (shall) or is voluntary (should).