Standards Summary
Scope and Application:
This standard specifies the minimum requirements for design, inspection, testing, and
maintenance (modifications and repairs) and safety operation of overhead cranes,
monorails, hoists, trolleys, jib cranes, gantry and wall cranes, and other equipment
having similar characteristics.
All findings as a result of inspections, maintenance, repairs, and modifications are to be
recorded in a log book. The logbook is to be available for review during the entire life of
the equipment.
Inspection Requirements
Inspections are to be performed by a crane inspector having a minimum 10,000
hours of experience, or by a team having combined equivalent qualifications,
under the supervision of a crane inspector or Professional Engineer.
Critical components that affect the safe operation of a hoist or crane are to be
inspected according to the manufacturer’s inspection criteria or procedures. If
such a list is not available, or if there is any doubt as to whether a component is
safety-related, a professional engineer shall make a list of critical components
and provide inspection criteria and procedures for each of the critical
components.
Inspection records are to be signed and kept in the logbook, indicating on critical
components, determining that the hoist or crane is capable of lifting, lowering,
supporting and operating at the maximum rated load. Verification shall be
provided that the supporting structure has been designed and installed to support
the maximum rated load.
The log book is to be available to any person involved in the inspection,
maintenance and/or operation of the lifting equipment.
Inspection Classification
General: prior to initial use, all new, reinstalled, modified, or rebuilt equipment (as
per Clause 1.1 of the standard), shall be inspected by a crane inspector(s) to
ensure compliance with this Standard and applicable ISO requirements, and to
ensure that the supporting structure has been approved by a professional
engineer to carry the maximum rated load. Records of the initial inspection,
outlining the date, inspector's name, and summary of the findings, shall be kept
and made available to the operator or crane inspector(s), or both.
Inspections for cranes in regular use: inspections are divided in two categories:
operational and periodic, based on the intervals at which inspections should be
performed. The intervals depend on the nature of the components of the crane
(as outlined in the standard) and the degree of their exposure to wear,
deterioration, or malfunction.
Inspections for cranes not in regular use: inspections are to be conducted before
placing cranes into service.
Group Classification
A1 – Manually powered crane, workshop crane for assembly purposes, powerhouse
crane, maintenance crane
A2 – Workshop crane for light regular use, roll-changing crane (steelwork)
A3 – Workshop crane for intermittent regular use, cranes in storage yards or scrapyard
crane for light regular use
A4 – Workshop crane for intensive use
A5 – Container handling crane
A6 – Cranes in storage yards or scrapyard crane for intensive use, grab or magnet duty
A7 – Ship unloader, ladle crane (steelwork), soaking pit crane (steelwork)
A8 – Stripper crane and charging crane (steelwork)
Operational Inspection
Visual inspections shall be conducted by a qualified person (operator) at the beginning
of each new shift. Observations and findings from these visual inspections shall be
recorded in a daily log book and signed off at the end of each work shift.
Inspection targets – are to include examination for defects, malfunctions, and damage
at intervals. This includes observations during operation for any defects or damage that
might appear between periodic inspections. The correction of such defects found during
inspection shall be made by a qualified person and include: all operational functions;
leakage in lines, tanks, valves, pumps, and other parts of air or hydraulic systems;
deformed, worn or cracked hooks; hook latches, if so equipped; hoist ropes; limit
device(s) for function; function labels for operator control; and all brakes.
Periodic inspection – shall include a general visual examination of equipment and be
conducted by a crane inspector. Any apparent conditions are to be recorded to provide
the basis for a continuing evaluation at intervals defined below:
(a) Service classes A1, A2 and A3 – annually
(b) Service classes A4, A5 and A6 – semi-annually
(c) Service classes A7 and A8 – quarterly
(d) Special service class – as recommended by a Professional Engineer or crane
manufacturer, or both
(e) Out of service – prior to being put back into service
Verification shall be provided that the supporting structure has been designed, approved
and installed to carry the maximum load as rated. The proof shall consist of one of the
following methods:
(a) a report bearing the seal and signature of a Professional Engineer stating that the
supporting structure, as installed, is capable of handling the maximum load as rated;
(b) the crane inspector has reviewed the applicable drawings bearing the seal and
signature of a Professional Engineer that confirms the installed supporting structure
has been designed and approved by a Professional Engineer to support the
maximum load as rated;
(c) an affidavit in the log book by the owner or employer that the supporting structure
has been designed and approved by a Professional Engineer and installed to carry
the maximum load as rated.
Complete inspections of the crane shall be performed at intervals noted above. Any
deficiencies, such as those listed below, shall be examined to determine whether they
will affect the safe operation of the crane:
deformed, cracked or corroded members
loose bolts or cracked welds
sheaves and drum cracks, distortion and wear
worn, corroded, cracked or distorted parts such as pins, exposed or open
bearings, bushings, shafting, couplings, gears, bumpers and trolley stops
glazing, scoring, warpage, contamination, or wear of electrical and mechanical
brakes
visible damage to hook, retaining nut, and safety latch
deformed or worn hooks for compliance with manufacturer's recommendations
evidence of pitting or deterioration of electrical contacts
interference with the free operation of buttons and controls
damaged insulation on electrical wire, cables and controls
inadequate performance or reliability of limit switch
worn and/or damaged trolley and bridge wheel assemblies
non-performance of load brake or controlled lowering device
wear, cracks, or corrosion of wire rope, load chain, end clamps, or rope clips
missing or loose bolts in the supporting structure, and
rope reeving (for compliance with crane manufacturer's specifications).
Overload Conditions
Cranes covered by the standard shall always be operated within the rated capacity.
However, if at any time during operation, the equipment has been accidentally
overloaded, the equipment shall be removed from service until an inspection can be
performed (in accordance with the standard). Hazardous conditions disclosed by the
inspection shall be corrected by the owner or employer of the equipment before the
equipment is placed back in service.
Testing
Operational and running tests shall be performed prior to initial use for all new,
reinstalled, modified or rebuilt equipment. The following functional items and
components shall be tested: all motions; limit switches at full speed; limiting and
indicating devices (if provided); all circuits, controls, interlocks, and sequence of
operation; and each crane motion, holding brakes, and travel brakes, with the hook
carrying:
(a) rated capacity – during these tests the specified speeds are to be attained, provided
the power supple to the crane is as specified; and
(b) 125% of the rated capacity – during this test, the specified speeds need not be
attained but the crane shall show itself capable of dealing with the load without
difficulty. Prior to initial use, the vertical deflection of all new, reinstalled, modified, or
rebuilt equipment shall be measured. The vertical deflection of the girder produced
by the weight of the trolley and the rated load shall not exceed the maximum allowed
by the applicable design specification. The rated capacity and 125% of the rated
capacity tests must be performed with the crane or hoist installed on its supporting
members (runway or monorail).
A test report shall be prepared, including test results and readings, and kept in the log
book.
Maintenance
All repairs shall be performed by, or under the supervision of, a person having a
minimum 8,000 hours of experience related to the repair of equipment as defined in
Clause 1.1 of the standard. Preventive maintenance, repairs and adjustments shall be
established, based on the specification and operating requirements of the crane. Dated
and signed records shall be kept readily available. Replacement parts shall meet or
exceed the original manufacturer's specifications. All welding shall conform to the
requirements of CSA Standard W59.
Maintenance Procedures
Initial procedures: before adjustments and repairs are started on a crane, the following
procedures shall be taken:
(a) All motion controllers shall be placed in the off position. Main switch (crane
disconnect) shall be operated in the open position, checked and de-energized, locked
out, and tagged.
(b) Before performing maintenance on the crane power-collector system, or any other
crane component within the area of the building-power distribution system to the
crane, the power source shall be de-energized, locked-out, and tagged. Where it is
not practical to disconnect and lock-out the power supply to live electrical installation,
equipment, or power lines, the power distributing system shall be guarded to prevent
contact (according to the applicable legislation).
(c) Personal protective equipment appropriate for the job hazards shall be worn.
(d) Consideration shall be given to the power distribution system when mobile lifting
equipment is used to access the crane from floor elevation. Mobile cranes, tools and
other equipment which are capable of conducting electricity and endangering the
safety of workers, shall not be used in proximity to any live electrical installation or
equipment with which they might make electrical contact.
Safety barriers – markings and barriers shall be utilized in instances where
maintenance work creates a hazardous are on the floor beneath the crane.
Isolation from other cranes – where other cranes are in operation on the same runway,
rail stops or other means shall be provided to prevent interference with the crane being
maintained.
Restricting runways – when work is being carried out on a crane in one of two adjacent
crane runways, and the runways are not separated or protected, access to the adjacent
runway shall be restricted.
Final procedures – after adjustments and repairs have been made, the crane shall not
be restored to service until all guards have been reinstalled, safety devices reactivated
and maintenance equipment removed.
This bulletin contains a summary of excerpts taken from the Standard, for
general information purposes only. This bulletin is not reflective of the complete
requirements that the Standard prescribes.
Note: Manitoba Regulation M.R. 217/2006 Section 1.4 inconsistency:
If there is inconsistency between this regulation and a requirement contained in a
publication, code or standard referenced in this regulation, the provisions in this
regulation prevail.
