Cranes are heavy-duty equipment used in construction, transport, and various other industries. This means they are specifically designed to handle extremely heavy loads daily. A popular type of cranes are mobile cranes which have their own many sub-types. Like other cranes, mobile cranes also need proper and regular inspections and maintenance to ensure they perform without any complications and risks. Keep in mind that boom truck rental companies perform maintenance but you should also never skip inspections before operating any crane. We will share some important mobile crane inspection tips that will help you ensure all the lifting tasks are safe and smooth.
Make A Checklist
When it comes to inspecting a crane, you need to be well informed and researched. Cranes consist of numerous components that work together to help the crane perform heavy lifting tasks. While the major components tend to be more noticeable and easy to observe, it is the minor things that make the difference.
While inspecting a crane, it can be very easy to miss out on such minor details especially if the working environment is already very busy. The best way to ensure the crane is properly inspected, to begin with, is by making a checklist. This will give you enough time and space to think about both the major and minor components.
Furthermore, some states have strict regulations about inspections and maintenance of the cranes. This data needs to be collected, compiled, and communicated with the relevant state authorities. Not conforming to these regulations might get you into deep trouble with the law.
Never Perform Inspections In The Dark
You might have seen many contractors and experts performing crane inspections in the dark to save time. While it might be a smart move on their end, performing inspections in the dark for you can be risky. As mentioned previously, several minor details need to be considered and it becomes very easy to leave them out in the dark.
If the situation demands that you have to perform inspections in the dark, you need to make sure the area is well-lit. You must provide the team or the concerned people with the right tools to perform a thorough inspection at such hours.
Try to either park the crane near a light source or grab flashlights to help inspect the crane properly. Not doing so will simply be calling for trouble. Although cranes are rigid machines and modern units are equipped with all sorts of safety features, you cannot rely on them every time.
You need to be safe from your side and ensure the safety of the team members when the crane is operating and lifting weights.
Only Crane Operators Should Be Allowed To Perform Daily Inspections
A common yet risky mistake people tend to make while performing crane inspections is asking non-technical individuals to look for repairs or replacements whether the operator is available or busy or not. The fact of the matter is that only the crane operator should be allowed to perform an inspection.
An experienced operator knows exactly where to look. From the outside, a crane may appear safe and sound to an amateur but there might be leakages or other issues deep inside that are easy to miss out on. Keep in mind there have been many incidents in the past where individuals failed or were simply lazy to perform thorough inspections that caused severe accidents.
You do not want such a burden on your shoulders. Crane mishaps can take an ugly turn and you can even have your license revoked forever. So, you must work with skilled professionals and rigging services DC to avoid mishaps.
Use All Five Senses When Inspecting Mobile Cranes
Performing crane inspections both before and after use is vital. You might think that crane inspections are easy and simple but you have to utilize all your senses and maintain extreme focus. Because it is the job of the operator to perform the inspections, they should not be wearing any headphones or listening to music.
Plus, the inspection should take place in a calm and quiet environment. Sometimes, there are subtle sounds that need to be considered, and all five senses are required to catch such problems. If you are not able to focus or concentrate for some reason, you should ask a colleague to help you. This is a lot safer than simply not being able to hear due to being mentally occupied elsewhere.
Perform Inspection At The End Of The Day Too
Performing inspection before the day begins or using the mobile crane is necessary but the same goes for when the day ends as well. You might think that a safe start to the day will end up in the same way as well but you can never be sure. Sometimes, the timings of the problems are such that they appear at the end of the day.
If you perform an inspection only before the crane is to be used, you will most probably miss out on the issues that come up during the operation. These issues can easily be observed and identified by performing an inspection at the end of the day.
This gives you a bit of space and helps save time by getting the crane fixed before the next working day. The last thing you would want is the operator suggesting the crane can’t be used when it is needed the most the next working day.
While the crane could have been fixed overnight, it will need to be repaired during the working day, which will waste a lot of time. So, whether you are using rough terrain cranes, all-terrain cranes, or any other types of mobile cranes, inspect them at the end of the day as well.
Do Not Rush The Inspection
Managing deadlines at construction sites can be a very demanding task. On top of that, managing the teams is another complicated factor that keeps managers on their feet every day. So, it can be a regular thing for the operators to rush the inspections.
But the problem with rushing the inspections is that they can trigger all sorts of problems you should be planning to avoid in the first place. You should allow the operators some space and time to perform inspections without being burdened.
If the timeline is already extremely busy or you don’t have much time to spare, hire someone for a few days to look after the machines.
Keep Spare Parts In Hand
You should always keep some important spare parts in case you need them to save time. These parts include seals, gaskets, oils, etc. Even if the crane is in perfect working condition, it can all go wrong within a split second. So, you need to be prepared for the unexpected.
Instead of waiting for the replacement parts, you can order a few extra and keep them for crucial times. You never know how much money in terms of time you can save without having to wait for days and sometimes weeks for the parts to arrive.
Conclusion
The tips mentioned above for mobile cranes inspection are tried and tested and will surely work out in your favor. Simply make sure you develop a maintenance schedule and follow it completely. Moreover, choose crane for rent VA companies that are known for properly maintaining their cranes and equipment.
