Keeping your overhead lifting equipment in check will take you far. You never know what can go wrong, so one of the best things you can do is to create an excellent preventive maintenance schedule.

Inspections are a crucial part of any company. They ensure you get rid of any hazards surrounding your lifting systems, including your overhead cranes and hoists.

What should you consider when inspecting an overhead hoist? That’s what we’ll evaluate in this blog post!

Best Overhead Hoist Safety Inspection Tips to Consider

Inspections are necessary to keep everyone safe, whether you’re dealing with overhead or gantry cranes. However, these inspections will be different depending on the case.

Let’s start with daily inspections of your overhead lifting systems. The overhead crane operator should look for any loose or damaged parts. If there’s any sign of wear, they should document it with photos or videos. It’s also important to check for missing parts like pneumatic components.

Other crucial steps to follow before using the overhead/bridge crane include:

• Checking that the hoist isn’t tagged “out of service”
• Ensuring that all the nameplates are present
• Examining all safety labels to ensure that they’re legible
• Starting a test run to ensure that the hoist doesn’t have any problems

Create a solid daily inspection routine that works for your team. Someone with proper training should be able to pull it off without breaking a sweat.

Next, we have monthly inspections. They involve checking more specific parts for damage, including wire rope, electrical connections, and electric chains. You should also inspect for abnormalities in the hoist’s structural components. Create a checklist just in case.

Finally, we have annual inspections. They should be performed by a qualified person. They will provide a thorough inspection of the entire machine to ensure there are no deep issues with it.

Always remember to:

• Keep a calendar with all inspection dates.
• Keep a record of every sign of damage that the hoist may have.
• Report any abnormalities to the team as soon as possible.

How Often Should Someone Inspect Their Overhead Hoist?

Here are some schedule guidelines that will help you set everything up:

• Capacity: Give priority to hoists with a higher capacity.
• Age: Inspect older hoists first, as they are likely to have more wear.
• Frequency of Use: Give priority to those machines that you use the most.
• Downtime: If you have a hoist down for repairs, you’ll have to get it inspected more often.
• Function: Make sure to give priority to hoists that perform complex activities.
• Operations: Focus on hoists that are critical to your business.

Bottom Line

With these overhead crane safety tips, you can promote a healthier work environment for everyone. If you’re in need of specialized software to conduct your hoist/crane inspection, you can count on Record360.

Its features will allow you to conduct frequent and periodic inspections without much effort, ensuring that all hoist/crane operators, as well as the rest of your crew, are safe all year long.