19.7 Records of inspections and maintenance
A crane service record, such as a maintenance logbook, of the significant events concerning the safety and operation of the crane should be kept and readily available. The records should be easily understood, and written in plain English. Records may be kept in any suitable format, and should be transferred with ownership of the crane. All entries in the maintenance logbook are to:
- clearly describe the work undertaken and parts replaced;
- be dated;
- note the name of the person carrying out the work; and
- be signed by the person carrying out the work.
Documentation stating that the crane has been inspected by a competent person, and is in a safe and satisfactory condition, should be readily available.
The checks, adjustments, replacement of parts, repairs and inspections performed, and all irregularities or damage concerning the crane’s safe use, should be recorded.
Additionally, all complete routine, annual and 10-year major inspection reports should be maintained and made available for examination as required.
A mobile crane preventative maintenance program should be established based on the working environment and the frequency and severity of use of the mobile crane. The following items should form part of an effective maintenance program:
- Replacement parts and components should be identical or equivalent to the original equipment parts and components.
- A specific rectification program should be carried out where past experience has shown particular problems with a crane.
- All safety-related malfunctions and problems should be corrected before the crane is returned to service.
The owner of the mobile crane must ensure that:
- the necessary facilities and systems of work are provided and maintained so as to minimise the risks to health and safety of persons maintaining, inspecting, repairing or cleaning the crane;
- inspections, maintenance and cleaning are carried out having regard to procedures recommended by the crane designer and manufacturer, or the relevant Australian Standard, or as developed by a competent person;
- repair, inspection and, where necessary, testing is carried out by a competent person;
- all safety features and warning devices of the crane are maintained and tested;
- when the crane has been damaged to the extent that its function or condition is impaired, resulting in increased risk to health or safety, a competent person assesses the damage and advises the owner of:
- the nature of the damage; and
- whether the crane is able to be repaired, and if so, what repairs must be carried out to minimise risks to health and safety;
- repairs to the crane are carried out so as to retain the crane within its design limits; and
- annual maintenance, repair and inspection records are kept for the crane.
Last updated June 9, 2006