Create Effective Checklists for Lifting Device Inspections

What Is a Lifting Device Inspection?

The purpose of lifting device inspections is to find out whether there is any part of your lifting equipment that is showing signs of:

• Abnormal wear and tear
• Abnormal loosening or disfigurement
• Corrosion
• Dislocation
• Excessive vibration
• Malfunction
• Misalignment
• Oil leakage
• Overheating
• Overloading
• Unusual noise
• Visual cracks

If your lifting device inspection finds any of the above issues, it is necessary to temporarily stop the use of the equipment in order to comply with the occupational health and safety regulations. Arrange for repair and replacement of the parts that are found to be defective before using them again.

The safety and reliability of a lifting appliance or lifting gear cannot be ensured unless it has received regular inspections. Regular inspections are particularly important because they provide a useful means of detecting potential hazards which could contribute to accidents. Regular inspections can also forewarn the owner of necessary preventive maintenance measures or repairs, the lack of which can lead to serious deterioration of the lifting appliance and expensive replacement or repair charges.

A lifting device inspection checklist is a most useful and necessary tool for conducting inspections, thorough examinations, and tests of lifting appliances and a an equipment safety inspection checklist is a guide for performing visual and physical checks. It also usually includes items for functional checks, which examines the status of individual parts of the lifting device or lifting gear.

In this article, you will learn about:

1. The frequency of lifting equipment inspections

2. The elements of a lifting equipment inspection

3. How a digital software helps you perform lifting device inspections

How Often Should Lifting Equipment Be Inspected?

The government requires that examinations of lifting devices be done every 6 months, especially those that carry people because they pose the highest safety risk to your employees. Lifting accessories must also be examined twice a year as they can cause fatal accidents if they are used while damaged. Other types of lifting equipment must be inspected only once a year.

1. Weekly Inspection

In many states, the government requires lifting device inspections to be performed within a week before using the equipment. Most manufacturers’ operation and maintenance manuals recommend a weekly inspection. Weekly inspections are a vital part of a preventive maintenance procedure.

Weekly lifting device inspections must have broad coverage since every lifting equipment comes with unique specifications. It is necessary to refer to the manufacturer's operation and maintenance manuals where you will find the proper lifting equipment inspection checklist template. It is also recommended that you seek the advice of a professional when creating your lifting device inspection checklist.

To give you an idea, however, here are the following items a weekly lifting device inspection should generally cover:

• Hoisting mechanisms, including wire ropes, pulley blocks and end fastenings
• Functional mechanisms such as sheaves, brakes, locking mechanisms, hooks, limit switches, control switches and buttons
• Safety devices such as automatic safe load indicators
• Fixing and anchorage arrangements
• Connecting hardware such as bolts and nuts, hooks, wire grips and shackles
• Electrical systems including earth conductors and circuit protectors
• Lubrication and cooling systems such as lubricating oil and coolant
• Hydraulic and fuel supply systems such as oil reservoirs
• Configuration such as straightness of the boom or jib

2. Daily Inspection

While only certified professionals must perform weekly and thorough maintenance and repairs on lifting devices, the operator must be able to conduct daily inspections before and after every use of the device.

OSHA 1910.179 refers to lifting device daily inspection as a safety check. According to OSHA, the safety checks must be performed at the beginning of each shift and before the use of the equipment. It must include all levers, fuel systems, control mechanisms and switches and must be done from a safe place.

3. Other Regular Inspections

In many cases, manufacturers recommend monthly or quarterly inspections on some of the lifting device components. These inspections will find out if there are parts that need repair or replacement. This ensures the safety of the user and everyone concerned. The manufacturer's operation and maintenance manuals should have information about regular inspections. A report of a thorough examination of lifting equipment template must be ready for easy and efficient reporting to the management.

The 6 Elements Of a Lifting Equipment Safety Inspection Checklist

A lifting device inspection checklist must cover the parts of lifting devices and lifting gear that are most likely to deteriorate and malfunction. It must be carefully planned because deficiencies and damages in lifting equipment are safety hazards.

To make sure that a lifting device or lifting gear is safe to use, your lifting equipment inspection checklist must include the following items:

1. Visual Examination

This includes the checking and examining of the state of each component of a lifting device. The purpose of this examination is to find out if there are problems that might compromise the integrity of the device. A hammer test can supplement a visual examination to reveal concealed defects.

2. Dimensional Examination

During a dimensional examination, distortions and dimensional tolerances of the components are evaluated. This is to find issues that may have adverse effects on the performance and stability of the lifting device. The dimensional tolerance and configuration alignment of the components must be within the limit specified by the manufacturer or by the safety standards set by the authorities.

3. Functional or operational test

After the visual and dimensional examinations are done and you find no deficiencies or irregularities in the device, a functional or operational test must be performed. This test will assess the function of the operating and safety systems of the device. A no-load test and a Safe Working Load (SWL) performance test are both included in this examination. A no-load test is done when the lifting appliance is not loaded while the SWL performance test is to assess the performance of the device when it is carrying the recommended amount of load.

4. Open-up examination

An opening-up examination evaluates the concealed or covered parts of the lifting device such as the gearboxes and the braking system. This examination makes sure that the components are within the recommended limits as specified by the manufacturer. It is required after the functional test discovers abnormal conditions or irregularities.

5. Electrical Testing and Examination

Electrical test must be performed by a registered electrical professional. The test includes but is not limited to insulation resistance test, functional test, and earth continuity test.

6. Non-Destructive Test

When the visual examination or the opening-up examination does not provide a reliable conclusion, a non-destructive test must be performed. This is to check for cracks that compromise the integrity and reliability of the components.

The 6 Elements Of a Lifting Equipment Safety Inspection Checklist

A lifting device inspection checklist must cover the parts of lifting devices and lifting gear that are most likely to deteriorate and malfunction. It must be carefully planned because deficiencies and damages in lifting equipment are safety hazards.

To make sure that a lifting device or lifting gear is safe to use, your lifting equipment inspection checklist must include the following items:

1. Visual Examination

This includes the checking and examining of the state of each component of a lifting device. The purpose of this examination is to find out if there are problems that might compromise the integrity of the device. A hammer test can supplement a visual examination to reveal concealed defects.

2. Dimensional Examination

During a dimensional examination, distortions and dimensional tolerances of the components are evaluated. This is to find issues that may have adverse effects on the performance and stability of the lifting device. The dimensional tolerance and configuration alignment of the components must be within the limit specified by the manufacturer or by the safety standards set by the authorities.

3. Functional or operational test

After the visual and dimensional examinations are done and you find no deficiencies or irregularities in the device, a functional or operational test must be performed. This test will assess the function of the operating and safety systems of the device. A no-load test and a Safe Working Load (SWL) performance test are both included in this examination. A no-load test is done when the lifting appliance is not loaded while the SWL performance test is to assess the performance of the device when it is carrying the recommended amount of load.

4. Open-up examination

An opening-up examination evaluates the concealed or covered parts of the lifting device such as the gearboxes and the braking system. This examination makes sure that the components are within the recommended limits as specified by the manufacturer. It is required after the functional test discovers abnormal conditions or irregularities.

5. Electrical Testing and Examination

Electrical test must be performed by a registered electrical professional. The test includes but is not limited to insulation resistance test, functional test, and earth continuity test.

6. Non-Destructive Test

When the visual examination or the opening-up examination does not provide a reliable conclusion, a non-destructive test must be performed. This is to check for cracks that compromise the integrity and reliability of the components.

Ensure The Safety of Your Lifting Equipment With a Digital Checklist

With Lumiform’s audit app you can easily perform a multitude of safety and quality inspections on the go from your smartphone or tablet - online or offline. You can create your own checklists for your lifting equipment inspection and easily collect data in the field. This way you are sure to reduce any errors that might threaten the safety of your employees and ensure the longevity of your equipment as well..

• With more than 12,000 pre-written templates to choose from and adapt, Lumiform helps you to quickly and safely go digital.
• If you already have inspection forms or prefer to create your own, Lumiform’s flexible and easy-to-use checklist builder helps you convert your paper-based audit templates into a digital format within minutes. There are no complicated tools or conversions, just use the app and your and your team are ready to go immediately.
• The intuitive mobile application helps you conduct weekly, monthly or yearly lifting equipment checks with ease and save time.
• All inspection results are automatically summarised in a report and can be sent to responsible personnel on-the-fly.
• Comprehensive and automated analyses help you uncover threats and errors fast and effectively and thus allow you to concentrate on improving processes continuously.