c. During lowering procedure and the following raising cycle, observe the rope and
the reeving. Particular notice should be paid to kinking twisting or other
deformities. Drumwinding conditions should also be noted.
d. Check wire rope and slings for visual signs of anything that can cause them to be
unsafe to use, i.e., broken wires, excessive wear, kinking or twisting, and marked
corrosion. Particular attention should be give to any new damage during operation.
3. Monthly inspections are recommended with a signed report by an authorized
competent inspector. The Monthly Reports should include inspection of the following:
a. All functional operating mechanisms for excessive wear of components, brake
system parts and lubrication.
b. Limit switches.
c. Crane hooks for excess throat opening or twisting along with a visual for cracks.
d. Wire rope and reeving for conditions causing possible removal.
e. Wire rope slings for excessive wear, broken wings, kinking, twisting and
mechanical abuse.
f. All end connections such as hooks, shackles, turnbuckles, plate clamps, sockets,
etc. for excessive wear, and distortion.
4. An Annual Inspection with signed report must be made for the following:
a. Crane hook for cracks.
b. Hoist drum for wear or cracks.
c. Structural members for cracks, corrosion and distortion.
d. For loose structural connections such as bolts, rivets, and weldments.
WIRE ROPE INSPECTION
The following is fairly comprehensive listing of critical inspection factors. It is not, however,
presented as a substitute for an experienced inspector. It is rather a user’s guide to the
accepted standards by which ropes must be judged.
1. Abrasion
Rope abrades when it moves through an abrading medium or over drums and
sheaves. Most standards require that rope is to be removed if the outer wire wear
exceeds 1/3 of the original outer wire diameter. This is not easy to determine and
discovery relies upon the experience gained by the inspector in measuring wire
diameters of discarded ropes.
2. Rope Stretch
All ropes will stretch when loads are initially applied. For an extended discussion of
stretch, see pp. 73 and following:
As rope deteriorates from wear, fatigue, etc. (excluding accidental damage), continued
application of a load of constant magnitude will produce varying amounts of rope
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