How Do You Start A Crane Inspection Service?

Massive in size and incredibly powerful, construction companies rely on the cranes in their operations for everything from hoisting pre-built trusses to maneuvering heavy materials on a job site. Because cranes are so huge and so powerful, they can also pose a lot of risk for injury if something goes wrong with the mechanical soundness of the equipment. Therefore, cranes have to be professionally inspected from time to time to ensure they are operating up to standards. If you are looking for a way to elevate your career as a crane operator, offering crane inspection services is one way you can do that. Here are a few bits of information to help you along the way. 

The more you know about cranes, the more fitting you are for such a credential. 

Someone who does not have prior knowledge of cranes and crane operation would have a hard time becoming certified as a crane inspector. These huge equipment pieces have a lot about them that should be fully understood as an inspector, and this kind of understanding can't always come along with reading a book or watching a video. For example, you may not recognize that a gantry crane that wobbles during hoisting has a weakened internal bearing unless you had experienced this kind of problem during gantry crane operation yourself. 

Being able to legally operate a crane and being able to inspect it is not the same. 

OSHA sets forth the requirements for crane safety in construction worksites. They clearly stated in a published letter in response to questions from a business owner that someone who is certified to operate a crane is not always certified to inspect that crane as a certified professional because the certifications for both of these actions involves training that is different. In other words, even though you may be fully certified as a crane operator, it does not necessarily mean you are automatically certified or qualified to inspect a crane. 

Getting certified can involve several levels of eligibility. 

To enroll in a crane inspection training program with the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO), there are certain eligibility requirements that must be met. For instance, you must be 18 years old, meet the medical requirements, and comply with the NCCCO's substance abuse policy. You must also submit a form that states your experience with cranes that will have to be reviewed before you can be approved for entry into a certification program. For more information, check out a website like