Cranes and hoists need regular inspections by the operator and periodic inspections by a qualified person, and some provinces add their own certification requirements. We provide independent condition inspections of overhead cranes, hoists and rigging, and help you set up and run an inspection program that stands up to scrutiny.
A crane failure can drop a load on a worker. Most serious crane incidents trace back to things an inspection would catch: worn wire rope, damaged hooks, faulty limit switches, cracked welds or rigging that should have been taken out of service. Good inspection programs are as much about records and follow-through as about the inspection itself.
How this fits with regulated requirements. Crane design, inspection and maintenance in Canada are covered by provincial OHS rules, which reference standards such as CSA B167 for overhead travelling cranes. Some provinces require certification of particular cranes or inspections by specific qualified parties, and repairs to load-bearing components must be done by qualified contractors. Check your province's rules. Where a mandated inspection or certification applies, our work supports it: we help you prepare, follow up on deficiencies and coordinate the qualified people who do the repairs.
What we look at
- Overhead travelling cranes, gantry and jib cranes, monorails and hoists.
- Structure: runway, bridge and trolley, connections and welds, rails and stops.
- Hoisting components: wire rope or chain, drums, sheaves, hooks and latches, load blocks.
- Brakes, limit switches, pendant or radio controls, warning devices and labelling of rated capacity.
- Rigging hardware: slings, shackles, eyebolts and below-the-hook lifting devices.
- The program: operator pre-use checks, frequent and periodic inspection records, maintenance history and how defects are tagged out.
How it works
- We start with why. A new crane, an acquired facility, an incident or near miss, or a need to formalize records each set the scope.
- Record review. We review manufacturer information, load test records, past inspection reports and maintenance logs.
- Site inspection. With the crane locked out or operated by your qualified operator as needed, we inspect structure, components and controls, and observe a functional check.
- Program review. We check how pre-use and frequent inspections are being done and recorded, and how defective equipment is removed from service.
- Report and follow-up. You get a written report and a walkthrough, and we can coordinate repairs and re-inspection.
What to have ready
- A list of cranes and hoists with their rated capacities and any identifying numbers.
- Manufacturer manuals, original load test records and any provincial certification documents.
- Completed operator pre-use checklists and frequent inspection records.
- Past periodic inspection reports and the repairs made in response.
- Your rigging inventory and how slings and hardware are tagged, stored and retired.
- Arrangements for lockout and for a qualified operator to run functional checks.
What you get
A written report for each crane and the rigging inventory, listing condition, defects and whether any item should be removed from service immediately. It includes recommendations on inspection frequency, record keeping and operator checklists that fit how your cranes are actually used. If an item requires repair or a load test, the report says so and describes who should do it.
We can also help you build or tidy up the paperwork side of the program: an equipment register with unique identifiers, inspection forms matched to each crane type, and a simple way to track defects from discovery to repair.
Common defects and what they mean
| What is found | Why it matters | Usual response |
|---|---|---|
| Broken wires, kinks, crushing or corrosion in wire rope | Reduces the rope's strength, often in places that are hard to see | Remove from service and replace per the manufacturer's and standard's criteria |
| Hook throat opened, twisted or missing latch | Sign of overload or side loading; load can slip off | Remove the hook from service and investigate how it was loaded |
| Upper limit switch not working | Block can be pulled into the drum or trolley and part the rope | Tag out the crane until repaired and tested |
| Brake slipping or slow to set | Load can drift or drop | Tag out and repair by a qualified crane contractor |
| Missing or worn capacity markings | Operators and riggers cannot confirm limits | Restore markings to match the crane's rating |
| Slings with no tag or a cut, burn or damaged fitting | Capacity unknown or reduced | Remove from service and destroy as required |
The table is a summary, not a set of acceptance criteria. Removal limits for wire rope, hooks and slings come from the manufacturer and the applicable standard, and a qualified person makes the call.
Who it's for
- Plant, maintenance and safety managers responsible for cranes and hoists.
- Fabrication shops, warehouses and industrial facilities with overhead lifting.
- Employers preparing for a safety audit or responding to an OHS order.
- Buyers or tenants taking over a facility with installed cranes.
For background, see overhead crane inspections: frequent and periodic, rigging and sling inspection and lift plans and rigging safety.
Common questions
What is the difference between frequent and periodic inspections?
Frequent inspections are short, regular checks of working components, often done by the operator or maintenance staff. Periodic inspections are more thorough examinations by a qualified person at longer intervals. The right intervals depend on how hard the crane works and on the applicable standard and provincial rules.
Do you load test cranes?
Load testing is done by qualified crane contractors with the right test weights and procedures. We can determine whether one is needed and coordinate it.
Should damaged slings be repaired?
Many sling types should not be repaired and must be destroyed once they fail inspection. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and the applicable standard, and when in doubt take the sling out of service.
Who is allowed to do the periodic inspection?
A qualified person as defined by your provincial OHS rules and the applicable standard, and in some provinces a specific certified party for certain cranes. Check your province's requirements. We can help you work out who that is for each of your cranes and make sure their reports are acted on.