One of the most important and sometimes overlooked aspect of being an owner and/or operator of an overhead crane system is annual inspections. The Occupational Health and Safety Act and CMAA regulations recommend having an overhead crane inspected at least once a year, depending on the usage of the crane. Cranes that have logged more hours and more shifts require inspection more often.
So what does a crane inspection entail?
With every inspection Kristian Electric technicians perform, a list of fundamental procedures are followed, such as:
Full lubrication of all required components
Inspection of bolted and welded connections
Minor adjustments to both electrical and mechanical components, including but not limited to: limit switches, control systems, brakes and trolley flange.
Operational tests through full range of functions
In addition to our main inspection, Kristian Electric can also provide customers with a detailed inspection report, along with a summary of any issues that need to be addressed as well as any recommendations for repairs and maintenance requirements.
Upon request, Kristian Electric can provide engineered stamped inspections, which include inspection of the structural steel support columns, runways and crane corbels and haunches. Also included are weight loading calculations and confirmations as well as detailed stamped engineer inspection reports with summary of issues that need to be addressed.
So what are the benefits of all this?
Regular inspections will prevent accidents and maintain the safe operation of your crane. It will also ensure peak efficiency throughout your cranes long life and avoid any unnecessary interruptions in productions that a crane in need of maintenance can cause. By addressing potential problems before they become more costly and inconvenient you can reduce overhead costs associated with parts and tools.
Also, by scheduling your inspections and maintenance during downtime, your production will not be interrupted or brought to a screeching halt if your crane stops working entirely due to unaddressed issues.