[RIGGER’S CORNER]
DO I HAVE TO LOAD TEST My Overhead Crane &/or Hoist?
BY JERRY BURCK
Load Testing overhead cranes and/or hoists has been a topic of conversation for years. In the past, OSHA was not specific on this issue and the clearest answer was found cited by ASME B30.17 standards. Tese standards stipulated that any new, significantly repaired or altered (modernized) crane or hoist should be load tested prior to being put into service. Tis same section went on to say that if the unit was load tested, then certain test procedures and considerations shall be conducted. Well, it seems that no matter how many times we look at the written guidelines from OHSA (1910.179(k)) and ASME (B30.17-2.2.2), we come up with the same answer; you don’t have to load test, BUT, if you have an accident and it is a result of a structural failure in your overhead lifting equipment – and if that equipment was not load tested – then Katy bar the door!
Te facts to this point are; you will not only be facing a civil lawsuit, but also fines and other unpleasant inquiries from various regulatory and / or governmental agencies. And plainly, you would not have a very good defense for your decision not to load test the equipment when governing standards state your equipment should have tested. While should does not demand testing, good business is
to protect your people, process and equipment in the working environment. Load testing can range in cost from the very modest ($1000) to somewhat expensive ($20,000) but the fact of the matter is that load testing and the security that comes with it is not an item to cut from a project to save costs. In conclusion, it is the opinion here at
CraneBuzz.com that,
whether you are a supplier or consumer, you should include, or look for, the load test line item in your bids, be clear on who is supplying the weights and whether or not they are certified. One last relative item for discussion here is deflection testing, most commonly asked for regarding bridge girders. Please remember that this is a design criterion and not a test criterion. What we mean by design criterion is that the bridge is designed for a maximum allowable deflection of 1/888 inches of span by CMAA Specification 70. Tis design considers the crane to be under full load (or Safe Working Load) for this deflection requirement, not an overload condition. If you test for deflection, we recommend that you first do this test @ 100% of rated capacity and take your readings for the record. Ten, as a separate process, perform the load test @ 125% of rated capacity. If you test for deflection @ 125% of rated capacity, you will not get a true evaluation for whether the structure is within design limitations or not. y
Jerry Burck is the founder of Crane Buzz, an online resource for the overhead lifting industry. For more information on Crane Buzz or to participate in the conversation visit,
www.cranebuzz.com
80
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016
WIRE ROPE EXCHANGE
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84