
Hoisting  System 
543 
loads are unexpectedly encountered, the inspection should be conducted imme- 
diately after such an occurrence. 
When necessary, disassembly inspection of hoisting equipment should be made 
in a suitably equipped  facility. 
Methods 
of 
Inspection. 
Hoisting equipment should be inspected  on a regular 
basis for cracks, loose fits or connections, elongation of parts, and other signs 
of wear,  corrosion,  or overloading.  Any  equipment  showing cracks,  excessive 
wear, etc., should be removed from service. 
The periodic or critical load inspection in the field should be  conducted by 
the  crew  with  the  inspector.  For  the  periodic  or critical  load  inspection,  all 
foreign  matter  should  be  removed  from  surfaces  inspected.  Total  field  dis- 
assembly is generally not practical, and is not recommended, except as may be 
indicated in the detailed procedure for each tool. 
Equipment, if necessary, should be disassembled in a suitably equipped facility 
and inspected  for  excessive  wear,  cracks, flaws, or deformation.  Corrections 
should be made in accordance  with  the recommendations of  the manufacturer. 
Before inspection, all foreign material, such as dirt, paint, grease, oil, scale, etc., 
should be removed  from the inspected  areas by  a  suitable method.  The 
equipment  should be disassembled  as much  as necessary to permit  inspection 
of  all  load  bearing  parts,  and  the inspection  should  be  made  by  trained, 
competent personnel. 
Maintenance and Repairs 
A 
regular  preventive  maintenance  program  should  be  established  for all 
hoisting tools. Written  maintenance  procedures should be given to the crew 
or 
maintenance  personnel.  Maintenance procedures  should  be  specified  for  each 
tool, as well  as the specific lubricants to be used,  and should be based on the 
tool  manufacturer’s  recommendation.  This recommended  practice  includes 
generalized procedures  that are considered a minimum  program. Care should 
be taken that instruction plates, rating plates, and warning labels are not missing, 
damaged, or illegible. 
If 
repairs are not performed by  the manufacturer, such repairs should be made 
in accordance with methods or procedures approved by  the manufacturer. Minor 
cracks or defects, which may  be removed without influence on safety or opera- 
tion 
of 
the equipment, can be removed by  grinding or filing. Following repair, 
the  part  should  again  be inspected  by  an  appropriate  method  to  ensure  that 
the defect has been  completely removed. 
Antifriction bearings  play  an important part in the safe performance  of  the 
tool. The most likely requirements for bearing placement are very loose or bent 
cages (retainers), corrosion, abrasion, inadequate (or improper) lubrication, and 
spalling from fatigue. Excessive clearance may  indicate improper adjustment or 
assembly and should be corrected.  Repair of  antifriction bearings should not  be 
attempted by  field  or shop personnel.  Consultation  with the equipment  manu- 
facturer is recommended in case of unexplained or repeated bearing failure. 
If the 
tool 
or part is defective beyond repair, it should 
be 
destroyed immediately. 
Welding should not be done 
on 
hoisting  tools  without  consulting  the manu- 
facturer. Without full knowledge of  the design criteria, the materials used and the 
proper procedures (stress relieving, normalizing, tempering, etc.), it is  possible  to 
reduce the capacity 
of 
a 
tool sufficiently to make  its continued use dangerous. 
Inspection and maintenance (lubrication) of wire rope used in hoisting should 
be carried  out on a  regular basis.  Wire  rope inspection and maintenance