When should your crane be inspected?
- When it is modified. Anytime a crane is modified, a Qualified Person must inspect the modification.
- After it has been assembled. After the assembly is completed, the crane must be inspected by a Qualified Person.
- During a shift. Shift inspections must be performed by a Competent Person.
- Monthly. The monthly inspection is simply a documented shift inspection done by a Competent Person. The employer is responsible for maintaining the last three monthly inspections and they must be made available to an inspector.
- Annually (Comprehensive). Performed by a Qualified Person and must be documented. Any deficiencies must be assessed to determine if they represent safety concerns. If so, the crane must be taken out of service until repairs are made.
What is the definition of a Qualified Person and a Competent Person?
- A Qualified Person as defined by OSHA is one who, “by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, successfully demonstrates the ability to solve/resolve problems relating to the subject matter the work or project”.
- OSHA’s definition of a Competent Person is “capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surrounds or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to employees, and who has the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them”.
Are the people performing the inspections to your crane Competent and Qualified? Employers are responsible for designating Inspectors of specific types and capacities of cranes, just as it is the responsibility of the employers to designate operators, riggers, signalpersons, spotters, and assembly/disassembly directors for each lift and each project.
What you should ask your crane inspector:
- How much experience do you have with this particular model of a crane?
- What type of experience do you have with this particular model of a crane? (As an operator, technician, inspector, etc.)
- What type of insurance does your company carry? (General Liability, Professional Liability, etc.)