19.9.2 Interim Inspection

In addition to the thorough examination and pre-use inspection some shackles will require an interim inspection(s). The number, frequency and extent of the interim inspections is based on a risk assessment taking into account the possibility of deterioration of components or assemblies due to the specific conditions of use, to ensure that defects are identified and remedied before they become a danger to persons.

The risk assessment must take account of the manufacturer’s literature and actual conditions of use, for example environmental conditions and utilisation that can cause deterioration. The inspection can be restricted to those critical components identified in the risk assessment and therefore they do not have to be as detailed and time consuming as a thorough examination. Typically the inspection will be a more detailed inspection of one or more of the items listed in section 19.9.1 Pre-use inspection, but may also cover some or all of the components covered by the thorough examination (refer to the manufacturers literature or LEEA Lifting equipment examiners hand book for guidance to defined scopes of thorough examination including acceptance and rejection criteria).

Figure 19.9.2-1  illustrates the main areas of a shackle to be inspected and identifies the more common defects that may be found during the inspection.

Interim inspections are often done at the same time as planned maintenance, see section 19.9.3 Maintenance below.