Overhead Cranes: Daily safety inspection of an overhead traveling crane

%&&&&&% Inspection

If you’re using an overhead crane for material handling, it’s important to implement a preventative maintenance program based on the crane manufacturer’s recommendations. This maintenance program should be centered on a thorough and effective safety inspection plan, which is conducted regularly. If a crane inspector detects deteriorated components or unsafe conditions during a required inspection, they must be repaired before any worker can resume use of the system.

First thing to do is a visual check, looking for obvious damage, anything loose,broken. Check overhead crane status lights, green, red, yellow, green is operational check bridge lights, all working? check floor for any obvious leaks check ladder for damage prior to climbing into cab, when egressing use 3 point contact, use rungs and not siderails, place ladder at the correct angle, ensure no knots in the rope enter cab and sound horn or other warning device, this will warn others the overhead crane is about to be powered up, wait 30-45 seconds before powering up crane. while you are waiting, check a/c fire extinguisher, radio and any other accessories adjust seat and mirrors for comfort and visibility power up crane check hoist, check up first, if the hoist goes down, stop immediately and get crane checked by maintence. In a safe area, away from traffic ,lower hoist and observe cable, check for obviouse damage, kinking,birds nesting,broken strands, lowering should be smooth. raise hoist to upper limit, ensure limit works, lower hoist 4 inches, get a visual reference point then this becomes stopping position, do not rely on the limit switch to stop the hoist on day to day activities. check trolley left and right, should be smooth, if equiped with a drag brake, no more than 18 inches travel before trolley stops. In a safe area, check bridge travel foreward then reverse, smooth no dogtracking or crabbing. check brakes, should stop crane smoothly. check any other attachments. check air and hydraulics if equipped fill out crane log, a record that the up limit switch is working and in good repair must be written in the logbook.