The Right Servicing for your Crane
June 28, 2018
Cranes need to be serviced regularly to ensure they are safe to use and fit for purpose. This ensures the safety of everyone operating them, others working on site and the general public. As a crane owner, it is your responsibility to oversee crane servicing and assign any tasks required for the full and thorough servicing of your equipment.
Cranes need to be serviced regularly to ensure they are safe to use and fit for purpose. This ensures the safety of everyone operating them, others working on site and the general public. As a crane owner, it is your responsibility to oversee crane servicing and assign any tasks required for the full and thorough servicing of your equipment.
There are two sets of regulations that will dictate how often your crane needs servicing, and what should happen as part of the process. These are the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). These regulations are in place to make sure people working with lifting equipment are working safely, with equipment that is appropriate for the task.
LOLER: These regulations are in place to make sure lifting equipment is safe for use, and for most types of equipment, will set out requirements for a ‘thorough examination’. You must keep a record of these examinations and inspections, and report them to any other persons responsible and any relevant local authorities.
PUWER: These are more general regulations that are applied to various kinds of working equipment. Lifting equipment is usually also working equipment, so under PUWER, it needs to be maintained correctly to ensure it is safe for use. Cranes and lifting equipment may also need to be inspected between the thorough examinations required under LOLER.
Under LOLER, a thorough examination should be carried out in the following circumstances:
• Before first time use
• After assembly at any varying locations
• Regularly whilst in service
• After any exceptional circumstances, like damage or being out of use
During regular service, equipment also needs an examination:
• Every 6 months for lifting equipment and accessories
• Every 12 months for other lifting equipment
As part of a service with Cranes UK, any issues detected during inspections can also be repaired, and we offer routine maintenance on site with our experienced servicing team. Call us on 01384 441235 to discuss about your cranes and lifting equipment for further advice.