who should inspect a crane?

kolaictjn

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Whenever we’re getting a crane ready, the big question is—who’s the right person to inspect it? I’ve seen both operators and third parties do the checks.

Who do you trust for crane inspections, and what’s been your experience?
 
Inspect a crane for purchase? Or before putting it into operation?

Operating: If you've done your OSHA training, then it should be a "qualified person". They love that term, but that's loosely defined. Basically do they understand cranes? But, an NCCCO (National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators) Crane Inspector certification is highly recommended for operation. Could vary by state what's actually required. Regardless, it should be looked over regularly by a qualified person before every use.

Purchasing: Same applies but the bar is maybe even lower. Most equipment inspectors have knowledge that transfers. They'll get photos of all moving parts and can likely spot things that don't look right. Ideally you'll get an operating video, but that might not be possible if it's a dis-assembled tower crane for example.

To be safe getting an NCCCO inspector would probably be your best bet either way. They've got directories available you can search by location.
 
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Whenever we’re getting a crane ready, the big question is—who’s the right person to inspect it? I’ve seen both operators and third parties do the checks.

Who do you trust for crane inspections, and what’s been your experience?
I'd say you can go with someone certified like an NCCCO inspector if possible. It's worth it for the peace of mind. Plus regular pre-use checks by a trained operator are key too!
 
Good points so far. In my experience, a lot depends on the type of crane and how often it’s used. Daily inspections by the operator are a must, but for more in-depth checks, I’d definitely trust a certified inspector.

Third-party inspections are great, especially for catching things you might overlook when you work with the same equipment every day. Some companies bring in inspectors quarterly or annually to make sure everything is up to standard. Has anyone here had issues pop up that an inspection caught just in time?
 
Yeah, totally agree! daily operator checks are crucial, but having a certified inspector look things over regularly can catch issues before they turn into big problems.
 
Solid points here! Daily operator checks keep things running smoothly, but certified inspections are a game-changer for spotting hidden issues. @kolaictjn, do you guys bring in third-party inspectors regularly, or do you rely mostly on in-house checks?
 
All good points! Daily checks by the operator are a must, but a certified inspector can catch the stuff that isn't obvious.
 
Good stuff here! Daily checks by operators are key, but I’ve seen cases where a third-party inspector caught something major that could’ve been missed. Ever had an inspection prevent a disaster at your site?
 
It looks like the consensus is that daily operator checks are crucial, but certified inspectors (especially NCCCO-certified ones) provide the extra assurance needed to catch hidden issues. Third-party inspections, whether quarterly or annually, seem to be a good safeguard.

Has anyone ever had an inspection reveal a major issue just in time to prevent a breakdown or accident?
 
Definitely agree that daily operator checks are a must, but having a certified inspector take a deeper look can save you from major headaches down the line. Third-party inspections are great for catching things you might overlook when you're around the same equipment every day. Ever had an issue pop up that an inspection caught just in time?
 
Great stuff here!Daily checks by the operator are non-negotiable, but I’ve seen third-party inspections catch issues that could have turned into serious problems. Ever had an inspection uncover something that saved you from a major breakdown?
 
Great discussion! It seems like daily operator checks are essential, but certified inspections (especially from NCCCO-certified inspectors) provide an extra layer of safety.
 
Good points all around! Daily operator checks help catch small issues early, but certified inspections are a must for those hidden problems. Anyone here ever had a close call where an inspection saved the day?
 
Great points, everyone! It’s clear that both daily operator checks and certified inspections are essential for safety and reliability. I’m curious, when it comes to third-party inspections, do most of you schedule them proactively, or only when an issue is suspected? Have any of you switched from in-house to third-party inspections (or vice versa), and noticed a big difference?
 
New here, but this thread is super helpful! Sounds like a solid mix of daily checks and certified inspections is the way to go. Have any of you had an issue caught just in time by an inspection?
 
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