The importance of overhead crane maintenance

Regular inspections of lifting equipment are critical and are often overlooked.

The attraction of cutting corners or postponing critical checks to save time and expense can lead to countless issues that no business wants to face.

A manufacturing facility left unchecked may look flawless from afar but bubbling beneath the surface we could have wear and tear, faulty components, and potential hazards lurking. Leave these too long, and this can lead to catastrophic failures. These failures not only result in unplanned downtime for your business but can also lead to fines, prosecution, and fatalities.

Non-compliance with regulations, such as the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), can place businesses in very serious trouble. For example, Renault Retail Group pleaded guilty to breaching reg 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) and reg 10(3)(a) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER). It was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £17,218.

Another incident occurred in 2010 at a Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire. After a crane had not been fully serviced for nine months, after guidance saying the crane needed to be checked every four months, a load was dropped from the crane, leaving a man with a broken foot. Drax Power and Konecranes UK were each fined £13,300.

[source: https://www.ioshmagazine.com/renault-pays-ps200k-loler-and-puwer-infringements & https://www.irwinmitchell.com/news-and-insights/newsandmedia/2012/february/two-firms-fined-after-work-accident-leaves-man-with-broken-foot]

Benefits of preventative maintenance service agreements

We understand that some customers may, at times, just want a one-off service. With our service agreements, you can get just that and more. We offer a bespoke solution to your business needs. Whether you need ongoing crane servicing, legislative help, or health and safety compliance, we’ve got you covered. But it doesn’t stop there; you will also get reminders of when your crane services are due, and you have access to our 24-hour breakdown crane repairs. Our service agreements help you keep your cranes up to scratch, reduce your downtime and maximising your capabilities.

Click here to read more about our service agreements.

How often should my overhead crane be serviced?

This depends on what you have on your crane, how often you use it, its age, the manufacturer, and what it was designed for. Different types of lifting equipment have a certain number of hours of use they operate before they need servicing. This can range from weekly maintenance to annual maintenance. If you are unsure about any of the above, you can get in touch with us today, and we can help you.

For more information on The importance of overhead crane maintenance talk to Street Cranexpress Ltd