When you are the owner of an industrial business in which heavy machinery and equipment is involved, you likely already know that annual safety inspections are a crucial component. If one of the pieces of equipment you own is a crane, it is vital that you follow OSHA recommendations and have the crane operations inspected annually for safety. The annual inspection should be performed by a professional who is recognized by the Department of Labor and will give a comprehensive look at various operational aspects of the machinery and the adherence to safety guidelines. Here are a few of the things that you should expect to be assessed during an annual safety inspection of your crane. 

1. Inspection of Crane Operator Qualifications - During the safety inspection, you will be asked to produce qualification information for every crane operator you employ. In addition, the inspector may want to look over any records or documentation of follow-up training compliance that you have completed with your crew. This is only a basic measure to ensure that only qualified people are allowed to operate your machinery. 

2. Assessments of Crane Maintenance and Inspection Reports Completed by Your Business - Even though the crane needs to be annually inspected by a qualified individual, your equipment has to be closely monitored throughout the year as well. the inspector will want to see records pertaining to maintenance work that has been completed, repairs that have been made, and any safety records that you keep on hand for daily operations. 

3. A Look at Correct Use of Crane Load Charts - Every crane, regardless of the model, comes with a set of guidelines and instructions when it comes to load capacity. These guidelines are known as crane load charts and should be strictly adhered to on the job. The crane inspector will want to see that you have these documents readily available to operators and may question you to ensure that you are familiar with the guidelines for your own machinery. 

4. Actual Equipment Inspection - In addition to all of the attention to proper operational procedures, the inspector will assess the crane itself. This inspection will be a thorough assessment of the mechanical components of the crane, such as the safety guards, lifts, and swings. The purpose of this thorough assessment is to ensure that the crane is safe for use and is being appropriately maintained. Contact an inspector, like All Ship & Cargo Surveys Ltd, for more information.