Crane Inspection and Lifting Technology: How to Increase Safety With Timly

• Examination, Crane Inspection & Co: Inventory Software With Maintenance Planner as Important Aid
• Safety Checks Required – Example from Germany
• Expired Crane Inspection? How Software Helps in Advance!
• Crane Inspection: Costs and Requirements
• Construction Industry as a Focal Point
• Crane Inspection: Checklist – What to Look Out For
• Crane Inspection: Questions and Answers

Examination, Crane Inspection & Co: Inventory Software With Maintenance Planner as Important Aid

The strict regulations of the crane inspection take into account the dangers posed by improperly functioning lifting technology. In addition to the classic slewing tower cranes used on construction sites, this also applies to all devices for lifting loads. The reason for the restrictive handling is obvious: if loads fall in the working area of people, there is danger to life or at least the risk of serious accidents at work.

Timly’s inventory management software helps you keep track of inspection dates with its integrated maintenance planner. With the digital files of the software package, you and your employees also always have all important and safety-relevant documents at hand. Not only in the office, but also on site in the production hall or on the construction site.

Safety Checks Required – Example from Germany

The German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) regulates the obligation to inspect cranes in the accident prevention regulation (UVV) “Cranes”. The DGUV regulations 52 prescribe UVV inspection services by an expert when the crane is commissioned for the first time or after modifications to the crane that require inspection. According to this, an inspection by an expert is required at least once a year and in most cases a renewed expert inspection after four years. BGV D6 of the German Employer’s Liability Insurance Association for the Construction Industry (BG Bau) is identical in content to DGUV V52 and has been merged into it.

DGUV V54 (formerly BGV D8) is the accident prevention regulation for winches, lifting and pulling equipment. This refers, for example, to winches, construction hoists or operations and lifting equipment on vehicles. These must be inspected by a qualified person before they are put into operation for the first time. The inspection of lifting and pulling equipment must be repeated annually. The Ordinance on Industrial Health and Safety (BetrSichV) is also applicable in all cases. In its appendix 3, the deadlines for different types of cranes are listed in detail, most of them, however, identical to those of the crane inspection according to DGUV.

Both DGUV regulations 52 and 54 and the BetrSichV require documentation of the tests carried out. For this purpose, an inspection book must be created and kept available on site. According to BetrSichV, the documentation may be done electronically. Timly thus solves both problem areas at the same time:

Expired Crane Inspection? How Software Helps in Advance!

What is special about Timly is that it can be used to map all types of work equipment. Only one software solution is needed for holistic management. With Timly, you can determine meaningful profiles and parameters for your company yourself in the flexible categories. In addition, an item can be a container for other assets, for example, truck-mounted cranes usually belong permanently to a vehicle.

If desired, registered work equipment can be marked with a QR code. This is attached to the respective object with a space-saving sticker and is used for easy identification in the system.

The storage of the data is cloud-based. This offers the advantage that only an internet connection on the preferred end device is required for access. The provider guarantees the required security and compliance to the Data Protection Act.

For better handling on site, there is the practical Timly app. With it, every authorised employee can scan the QR code of a work tool and call up its profile. There, they have an up-to-date overview of upcoming appointments, the maintenance history and stored inspection certificates. It is also easy to report defects in this way.

Each recorded inventory item has its own calendar in Timly, from which the practical dispatch of reminders about upcoming appointments is also carried out. The use of Timly virtually eliminates the possibility of overlooking due inspection dates – which sustainably increases safety at the workplace.

Crane Inspection: Costs and Requirements

A distinction must be made between inspections by an expert and more frequent checks by competent persons. Expert offices offer crane inspections for between 200€ and 500€ (£175 to £450), depending on the type of crane. In some cases, travel costs and waiting times are charged separately. Depending on the company’s circumstances, it may be worthwhile for companies to qualify their own employees as experts for periodic inspections.

Timly’s training management software, which is also part of the software package, is suitable for filing acquired qualifications and certifications. This makes it easy to manage completed safety training courses and necessary refresher courses. In addition, every competent person can prove that their certifications are up to date for a crane inspection with the Timly app.

Crane Inspection: Checklist – What to Look Out For

For quick orientation, we have summarised important points again in a checklist based on the publication of the BG Bau:

Corresponding lists can be stored for work equipment in Timly. The crane operator can easily acknowledge compliance via the app before starting work.

Crane Inspection: Questions and Answers

Question: What advantages does Timly bring for the management of appointments such as the crane inspection?

Answer: Missing a due date is almost impossible. All responsible persons are notified automatically. In addition, the history of the inspections carried out is always at hand.

Question: Isn’t it also possible to manage appointments with Excel and Outlook?

Answer: The use of Excel and Outlook is designed for the office sector. In addition, the programmes only fulfil a part of the necessary requirements in each case. Multiple data management would always be necessary, which is ineffective and leads to errors.

Question: Can free software be used for the crane inspection?

Answer: Freeware usually only has a limited range of functions and does not include support. Only a professional software solution like Timly offers a secure cloud connection, planning security and permanently available support.