Published 1 Dec 2025
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6 min read
What is Crane Safety?
Crane safety is the practice of ensuring a safe working environment for workers and visitors when operating a crane on the worksite. Performing regular crane inspections can help promote crane safety as it can proactively identify risks and hazards that can cause crane accidents and fatalities.
What is a Crane Inspection?
A crane inspection is used for keeping cranes in peak operating condition and ensuring the safety of workers and bystanders. Performing regular crane inspections not only complies with legal regulations and standards like OSHA Standard 1910.179, it also mitigates the risk of costly fines, repairs, and workplace incidents associated with crane usage.
According to the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA), it is best practice to have only experienced and trained individuals conduct the inspection. Crane inspectors are expected to have formal training in the following:
Safety and design codes related to overhead cranes
Federal, state, and local codes and standards
Safe operating practices of cranes and hoists
Proper documentation procedures
Crane and hoist terminologies
3 Common Crane Safety Hazards
Multiple hazards can arise when using large lift systems such as cranes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the year 2006 there was a record of over 72 fatalities in the US caused by crane accidents. Crane accidents can be caused by poor training, ignoring crane weight limits, rushed construction jobs, and improper maintenance.
Below are 3 of the common crane accidents that are avoided when identified early during the inspection:
Falling Loads
Falling materials or loads are a major concern when using overhead cranes. They not only result in structural damage but also injury, or worse, death. Falling loads can be caused by various factors such as operator incompetency, two-blocking, slipping, mechanical failures and visual impairment. To mitigate risks of falling materials, maintenance supervisors or plant managers should observe the following:
Perform regular crane inspections or maintenance checks.
Have employees wear proper PPE
Ensure operator operating cranes are well-trained and competent
Install safety precaution signs
Electrical Hazards
When operating cranes, there is also a risk of it becoming in contact with power sources. Seeing as the crane is mostly made of metal, there is risk of electrocuting all workers in the vicinity. Crane accidents caused by electrical hazards can be avoided if safety protocols and preventative measures are in place. Crane operators should be well informed of potential danger zones and the proper work practices in working near power lines or any exposed energized area. Clearly mark danger zones with barriers, fences, or tape.
Overloading
This occurs when crane’s weight limits are ignored. Exceeding the crane’s operational capacity can put the crane mechanism to stress and lead to irreversible damage that can be quite costly. Most commonly, overloading is due to human error. Specifically when operator’s heavily rely on their instinct in determining whether a load is too heavy for the crane. To prevent this from occurring, ensure that the operator is competent and has a clear understanding of load dynamics, lifting capacities, and safety protocols.
3 Types of Crane Inspections
According to OSHA, ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), and CMAA standards, maintenance supervisors or plant managers are required to perform three different types of inspections throughout the lifetime of crane equipment.
Initial Inspection
OSHA Standard 1910.179 requires all new and altered cranes to be inspected prior to initial use. Appointed or authorized personnel will conduct an inspection of the crane’s components to check its installation and functions.
Frequent Inspection
This is done through visual and operational inspection which is performed on a monthly or weekly basis, depending on the usage of the crane. Frequent inspections involve checking of hoist brake, wire rope, load chain, and the hook and latch to see if there are any abnormal sounds or damage in the mechanisms.
Periodic Inspection
Like frequent inspections, the frequency of conducting periodic inspections depends on the usage of the crane. Cranes not used in more than a month but used within the last six months will be required to undergo a periodic functional test inspection prior to its next use. Periodic inspections entail checking for the following:
Deformed, cracked, or corroded members
Loose bolts or rivets
Cracked or worn sheaves and drums
Worn, cracked, or distorted parts such as pins, bearings, shafts, gears, rollers, and locking and camping devices
Excessive wear on brake system parts, linings, pawls, and ratchets
Load, wind, and other indicators over their full range, for any significant inaccuracies
Gasoline, diesel, electric, or other power plants for improper performance or noncompliance with applicable safety requirements
Excessive wear of chain drive sprockets and excessive chain stretch
Electrical apparatus and signs of pitting or any deterioration of controller contactors, limit switches, and push-button stations
Crane Inspection Software vs Paper-based Crane Inspections: What’s the Difference?
There are generally two ways crane inspections are performed today: through paper checklists and paperless means.
Crane Inspections With Paper
Here’s how crane inspectors often complete inspections with a paper checklist:
The crane inspector uses a printed crane inspection checklist to log findings during the inspection.
If there’s a noted defect, the operator immediately takes a picture of it with a camera or writes a note to detail the findings, then tags the cranes for downtime service.
Once the inspection is completed, the operator collates the information gathered during the inspection and manually re-enters it into a computer to create a crane inspection report.
Once the report has been finalized and approved by the management, it is printed and delivered to the crane owner for recordkeeping. The document also serves as a point of discussion so they can determine how to address the findings.
As you can see, paper-based inspection poses challenges that you may have already noticed in your crane inspectors’ everyday workflow. Challenges include the following:
extra time spent collating necessary documents to create a report;
piles of paperwork in your office; and
delays in communicating crane safety issues.
Crane Inspections With Software
Real-time data capture, predictive maintenance features, and enhanced safety measures are among the key advantages of using software for crane inspections. These features not only streamline the inspection process but also contribute to improved overall crane performance.
The crane inspector enters the essential information, such as the crane’s identification, location, and visual inspection, into the software via mobile or tablet.
During the inspection, the operator can capture and immediately upload images and similar media as evidence.
Issues found during the inspection may be raised and given priority for immediate action.
Once the inspection is completed, a report may be generated and the inspector may assign action items to the team. After assigning actions, you have the ability to track progress and keep the team notified of the tasks they need to complete.
As one of the main people who manage crane safety in your workplace, you may have asked yourself if it’s time for a change and considered crane inspection software as a solution. With the demand for crane inspection services increasing every year, the importance of crane inspections can’t be emphasized enough. With crane inspection software, you can finally help uplift the quality standards of your inspectors’ work.
