Section 296-155-53405. Inspections.

(1) Cranes that have had modifications or additions as defined in WAC 296-155-53214 must be inspected by an accredited crane certifier after such modifications/additions have been completed, prior to initial use.

(2) Repaired/adjusted equipment.

(a) Cranes that have had significant repairs as defined in WAC 296-155-53214 must be inspected by an accredited crane certifier after such repairs have been completed, prior to initial use.

(b) Cranes that have had a repair or adjustment not defined in WAC 296-155-53214, that relates to safe operation (such as: A repair or adjustment to a safety device or operator aid, or to a critical part of a control system, power plant, braking system, load-sustaining structural components, load hook, or in-use operating mechanism), must be inspected by a qualified person after such a repair or adjustment has been completed, prior to initial use. The inspection must meet all of the following requirements:

(i) The qualified person must determine if the repair/adjustment meets manufacturer equipment criteria (where applicable and available).

(ii) Where manufacturer equipment criteria are unavailable or inapplicable, the qualified person must:

(A) Determine if a registered professional engineer (RPE) is needed to develop criteria for the repair/adjustment. If an RPE is not needed, you must ensure that the criteria are developed by the qualified person. If an RPE is needed, you must ensure that they are developed by an RPE.

(B) Determine if the repair/adjustment meets the criteria developed in accordance with (b)(ii)(A) of this subsection.

(iii) The inspection must include functional testing of the repaired/adjusted parts and other components that may be affected by the repair/adjustment.

(c) Equipment must not be used until an inspection under this section demonstrates that the repair/adjustment meets the requirements of (b)(i) of this subsection (or, where applicable, in (b)(ii) of this subsection).

(3) A competent person must begin a visual inspection prior to each shift the crane will be used, which must be completed before or during that shift. The inspection must consist of observation for apparent deficiencies. Taking apart equipment components and booming down is not required as part of this inspection unless the results of the visual inspection or trial operation indicate that further investigation necessitating taking apart crane components or booming down is needed. Determinations made in conducting the inspection must be reassessed in light of observations made during operation. At a minimum, the inspection must include all of the following:

(a) Control mechanisms for maladjustments interfering with proper operation;

(b) Control and drive mechanisms for apparent excessive wear of components and contamination by lubricants, water or other foreign matter;

(c) Air, hydraulic, and other pressurized lines for deterioration or leakage, particularly those which flex in normal operation;

(d) Hydraulic system for proper fluid level;

(e) Hooks and latches for deformation, cracks, excessive wear, or damage such as from chemicals or heat;

(f) Wire rope reeving for compliance with the manufacturer's specifications;

(g) Wire rope, in accordance with WAC 296-155-53404;

(h) Electrical apparatus for malfunctioning, signs of apparent excessive deterioration, dirt or moisture accumulation;

(i) Tires (when in use) for proper inflation and condition;

(j) Ground conditions around the equipment for proper support, including ground settling under and around outriggers/stabilizers and supporting foundations, groundwater accumulation, or similar conditions. This subsection does not apply to the inspection of ground conditions for railroad tracks and their underlying support when the railroad tracks are part of the general railroad system of transportation that is regulated pursuant to the Federal Railroad Administration under 49 C.F.R., Part 213;

(k) The crane for level position within the tolerances specified by the crane manufacturer's recommendations, both before each shift and after each move and setup;

(l) Operator cab windows for significant cracks, breaks, or other deficiencies that would hamper the operator's view;

(m) Rails, rail stops, rail clamps and supporting surfaces when the crane has rail traveling. This subsection does not apply to the inspection of rails, rail stops, rail clamps and supporting surfaces when the railroad tracks are part of the general railroad system of transportation that is regulated pursuant to the Federal Railroad Administration under 49 C.F.R., Part 213;

(n) Safety devices and operational aids for proper operation;

(o) Derricks must have guys inspected for proper tension.

(4) You must keep monthly inspection records (see items listed in subsection (3) of this section). These inspection records must be kept for at least 3 months. This report must contain the following information:

(a) The items checked and the results of the inspection;

(b) The name and signature of the person who conducted the inspection and the date.

(5) If any deficiency is found during the inspection, an immediate determination must be made by the competent person as to whether the deficiency constitutes a safety hazard. If the deficiency is determined to constitute a safety hazard, the equipment must be taken out of service until it has been corrected and approved by a qualified person.

(6) If any deficiency in safety devices/operational aids is identified, the action specified in WAC 296-155-53410 and 296-155-53412 must be taken prior to using the equipment.

(7) If any deficiency is identified, an immediate determination must be made by a qualified person as to whether the deficiency constitutes a safety hazard.

(a) If a qualified person determines that a deficiency is a safety hazard, the crane must be taken out of service until it has been corrected, evaluated, and approved by a qualified person, except when temporary alternative measures are implemented as allowed in WAC 296-155-53412 and for tower cranes see WAC 296-155-54100(61).

(b) If a qualified person determines that, though not presently a safety hazard, the deficiency needs to be monitored, you must ensure that the deficiency is checked in the monthly inspections.

(8) Severe service. Where the severity of use/conditions is such that there is a reasonable probability of damage or excessive wear (such as loading that may have exceeded rated capacity, shock loading that may have exceeded rated capacity, prolonged exposure to a corrosive atmosphere), you must stop using the crane and a qualified person must:

(a) Inspect the crane for structural damage to determine if the crane can continue to be used safely.

(b) In light of the use/conditions determine whether any items/conditions listed in subsection (7) of this section need to be inspected; if so, the qualified person must inspect those items/conditions.

(c) If a deficiency is found, you must follow the requirements in subsection (7)(a) of this section.

(9) Cranes not in regular use. Cranes that have been idle for 3 months or more must be inspected by a qualified person in accordance with the requirements of subsection (3) of this section before initial use.

(10) Any part of a manufacturer's procedures regarding inspections that relate to safe operation (such as to a safety device or operational aid, critical part of a control system, power plant, braking system, load-sustaining structural components, load hook, or in-use operating mechanism) that is more comprehensive or has a more frequent schedule of inspection than the requirements of this section must be followed.

(11) All documents produced under this section must be available, during the applicable document retention period, to all persons who conduct inspections under this section.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 16-09-085, § 296-155-53405, filed 4/19/16, effective 5/20/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.440, 49.17.060, and 29 C.F.R. 1926, Subpart CC. WSR 12-01-086, § 296-155-53405, filed 12/20/11, effective 2/1/12.]

RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 16-09-085, § 296-155-53405, filed 4/19/16, effective 5/20/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.440, 49.17.060, and 29 C.F.R. 1926, Subpart CC. WSR 12-01-086, § 296-155-53405, filed 12/20/11, effective 2/1/12.

Rules

296-155-53214,296-155-53214,296-155-53214,296-155-53404,296-155-53410,296-155-53412,296-155-53412,296-155-54100,