21.9.3 Maintenance

Routine preventive maintenance should be carried out according to the manufacturer’s instructions in addition to any requirements of the particular site due to the conditions of service. Lifting accessories, such as shackles, eyebolts, wire rope slings, chain slings, synthetic web slings, plate clamps, hooks, turnbuckles, etc. should all be inspected in accordance with the respective sections of this code.

Adequate lubrication shall be applied to the moving parts of lifting beams where applicable and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. For certain applications, i.e. where there is a risk of contaminating other goods or products for example or where dirt is liable to mix with the lubricant for example, it may be desirable to use a dry lubricant spray. Any travel limits should be checked to ensure that they are correctly set and that the limit mechanism and switches operate freely and correctly.

In the case of any lifting beam which incorporates contactors, whether internal to the lifting beam or as a part of the control gear, they should be checked for wear and signs of arcing. They should be cleaned, maintained or replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.