OSHA has many things to say about the proper utilization and maintenance of overhead and gantry cranes, and it’s no wonder. When this equipment isn’t used in compliance with overhead crane inspection checklists, and operators don’t take the necessary precautions, serious damage can be done to anything in the crane’s path. OSHA offers a full three-page compliance checklist for overhead and gantry cranes.

There are a number of categories that need to be assessed, including general requirements; stops, bumpers, rail sweeps and guards; brakes; electric equipment; hoisting apparatus; ropes or chain; inspection, testing and maintenance procedures and regularity. All inspections should be documented with a date and signature. And, all records should be readily available for review.

Scanning the checklist, I laughed out loud when reading the line about employees being prohibited from riding on the load or hook. Who thought they could be Tarzan for whatever reason? I guess the point is to make sure the load is secure before ever raising it, so someone doesn’t need to make adjustments mid-flight.

Everything should be done in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, and never should the crane’s load capacity be exceeded; this should be clearly marked on the crane. All the appropriate labels and warning signs should be in place and legible, including when the crane is “Out of Order” and being repaired.

All mechanisms should be inspected regularly for defects, deformations, cracks, kinks, binding and excessive wear. All moving parts should be tested for slow enough speed and proper braking. All electrical contacts should be protected and properly grounded, with the power switches and limit switches doing their jobs.

All crane operators need to be thoroughly trained and all cranes operated on stable solid ground or concrete pavement. There should always be more than two wraps of rope left when the hook is in the lowest position, and no load should ever be carried over people.