Tower Crane Inspections Are Essential

By Jayne Rutledge


Cranes can be very hazardous to workers, as well as pedestrians. There is an OHS law that requires employers to make sure that all tower crane inspections are recorded. Forms are to be filled out either weekly or monthly so that key parts are checked. These must be filled out by the operator as well as the supervisor. Keeping a document of these will insure that if there is ever an incident it will show that the equipment is always kept in working order.

Proper maintenance and regular inspections of vital equipment as well and training is very important to any success of a project. Your companies hoisting and rigging operations are utmost important where even a little mistake can mean disaster. Sometimes even death occurs if rules and regulations are not applied.

Companies can send their employees on a course which usually lasts 3 days. The subjects that are offered cover everything that they will need to know. The erection and dismantling, climbing systems, limit switches, bolting requirements, certification procedures to name just a few. Many of these schools offer accommodations for those who do not live in the area.

The Washington State Department of Labour and Industries have developed a rule that these machines need to be certified every year. All paperwork is reviewed and all the records need to be up to standard and current. If these are not met the inspection will be terminated and no certificate will be issued.

Only trained and competent personal are to be involved in the lifting operation. In order to be able to do this each person needs to go through certain tests to ascertain they are qualified to do this job. A drug test is done well as doing a written test and a practical exam. Only then will they be able to operate any machinery.

A monumental milestone was then designed and developed in the 1950s. Multiple manufacturers started to produce bottom slewing cranes that started to dominate the office and apartment block market. The use of cantilever jib designs was abandoned and was switched to luffing instead, which is still used today.

In Europe building sites were often constricted and had to use rail systems to move large towers. This was proving to be very costly and inconvenient. They were later manufactured offering saddle jib with hook heights of 262ft. They were made with self-climbing mechanisms that allowed sections to be inserted so the structure could grow. The long jibs allowed for larger work areas to be covered. These started the practise of anchoring and erecting inside the buildings lift shaft which is now common in industries.

Brakes need to be checked properly as does the hook. If there is any debris on the surface this needs to be cleaned as it can cause the staff to fall and injure themselves. Any dirt that has gotten into parts of the machine will cause excessive wear and tear and possible failure. If one is unsure the machinery is up to standard, call tower crane inspections experts in your area, for that ultimate peace of mind.




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