BOOM TRUCK INSPECTION - ANNUAL OSHA INSPECTION (PART 1 OF 3)

As part of the services we offer at Runnion Equipment Company, we keep track of our customers’ annual inspection dates and call or otherwise contact them to remind them at least 30 days in advance when their cranes are due for inspection. We have noticed that certain of our customers are electing to delay or forgo their annual / comprehensive OSHA inspections. Reasons we have heard tend to lean toward the economy. Contractors aren’t busy so their crane use may be down or they may actually have a spare unit sitting idle in the yard. Sometimes the cost of the inspection and related repairs seem to be a line item they feel they can sacrifice as a result of their budget cutting. It is a bad idea – pure and simple.



• Why do I need an “annual inspection” on my boom truck?

According to our research as well as our personal experience as crane owners, annual maintenance cost for a boom truck should average between 3%-5% of the purchase price of the crane (not including the truck chassis) per year.

A $100,000 National Crane series 800D for example, will end up costing approximately $3000-$5,000 per year which includes routine maintenance and repair or replacement of wear and tear items.

Should maintenance not be performed yearly, the repair cost will likely carry over to the next year. Broken parts and leaky hydraulics rarely seem to fix themselves over time.

While it is the responsibility of boom truck owners to manage the day-to-day maintenance of their equipment and perform (and document) daily, weekly and monthly inspections, a thorough yearly inspection by trained and competent Runnion technicians will point out developing or hidden maintenance issues and give you the chance to have them corrected before they become emergency field breakdowns - a crane stuck in air with the operator, signalman, maybe a roofing crew and subcontractors standing around waiting can be big dollar item – particularly when you add in contractor backcharges and legal costs (if applicable!).

Outside of this “regular maintenance” aspect, safety is the actual number one issue and the annual / comprehensive inspection is a requirement of OSHA.

The new OSHA standards for Cranes and Derricks details the “Annual/Comprehensive” inspection requirements in section 1926.1412 paragraph (f) – the list is truly, quite comprehensive and includes a requirement for “disassembly as necessary” (see page 81). The penalties for noncompliance can be hefty and can only multiply if an accident occurs and you do not have proof of your annual inspection and the repairs that were completed to bring the boom truck and its safety equipment into proper operation.

These then are the three reasons why you need to have your “Annual OSHA Inspection” done;

1) It will save you money in the long run.
2) It will give you peace of mind knowing that your equipment is operating properly and
    safely.
3) It is required by OSHA – (see number one and two again!)