1.3.3 Inspection

This is normally completed by the operator of the equipment before each use and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. It is a basic check for obvious signs of damage. Typically, the operator will be looking for damage such as dents to protective cases, permanent deformations, abnormal noises, presence of and correct marking, or changes in function for example. Any such findings should be reported to the inspection / maintenance personnel.

The interim inspection, also referred to as frequent inspection, is the second level of inspection. The nature and extent of the inspections is derived from a risk assessment. Interim inspections focus on critical components identified in the risk assessment that may become a danger before the next periodic thorough inspection (examination). The number and frequency of these inspections is also determined by the risk assessment and the manufacturers literature.

Interim Inspections are often done at the same time as planned maintenance or following a repair.

A thorough examination, also known as periodic inspection or thorough inspection, is a visual examination of the lifting equipment carried out by a Competent Person carefully and critically and, where appropriate, supplemented by other means such as measurement and testing in order to check whether the equipment is safe to use. Although other terms are used for simplicity of this code the term thorough examination is used throughout.

It is also used as a check of the suitability of the equipment and the inspection / maintenance regime. This means that the thorough examination should not find any defect affecting the safety of the equipment, if it does, that suggests there is an issue with the inspection/maintenance regime, the competency of the inspectors or maintainers, the product’s fitness for purpose, etc. In essence it is a safety net, used to identify inadequacies in the inspection/maintenance regime and thereby provide a means of improvement and prevent recurrence.

This means that the root cause of any defect found following a thorough examination should be investigated and rectified with appropriate measures to prevent reoccurrence.