A hook or a piece of rigging hardware carries the whole load, and it usually fails at a crack or a deformation that was there to be found. Crane hook inspection combines a careful visual examination with NDT that finds the cracks a visual check can miss.
- Finds
- Cracks, excessive wear and gouges, out-of-plane bending, deformation, missing capacity markings
- Typical use
- Crane hooks, cranes, rigging hardware and other load-bearing equipment
What crane hook inspection looks for
- Cracks, particularly in the throat and shank of the hook
- Excessive wear and gouges
- Out-of-plane bending and twist
- Deformation, including an opened throat
- Damaged or missing latches where they are required
- Missing or illegible capacity markings
- Corrosion and signs of heat damage
The removal criteria for each of these are set by the applicable ASME B30 standard and by the manufacturer.
Frequent and periodic inspection
The ASME B30 standards separate frequent inspections, which are visual checks made often during use, from periodic inspections, which are more thorough, are made at longer intervals and are recorded. How often each is required depends on how hard the equipment is used.
Where NDT fits
Visual inspection is required at every interval. Magnetic particle testing finds cracks in steel hooks and hardware that a visual examination can miss, and penetrant testing covers nonmagnetic parts. Owners often add NDT at periodic inspection, after an overload or when the manufacturer or their own program calls for it.
Where it’s used
- Overhead and gantry cranes in manufacturing plants and fabrication shops
- Construction cranes and rigging
- Ports, shipyards and maritime lifting equipment
- Power generation, oil and gas and petrochemical plants
- Stage and rigging equipment
Codes and standards
- ASME B30.10, hooks
- ASME B30.2, overhead and gantry cranes
- ASME B30.9, slings
- ASME B30.20, below-the-hook lifting devices
- ASME B30.26, rigging hardware
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.179 (overhead and gantry cranes), 1910.184 (slings) and 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC (cranes in construction)
- For the NDT itself, ASTM E1444/E1444M or E709 (magnetic particle) and ASTM E165/E165M (penetrant)
- Manufacturer instructions, and state, local or contract requirements
Who does the work
The NDT on hooks and lifting gear is performed by technicians certified in magnetic particle, penetrant and visual testing under a written practice that follows SNT-TC-1A, or NAS410 for aerospace and defense work, with a Responsible Level III overseeing the program. Results are reported against the standard and code that apply to your equipment, so they can go straight into your inspection records.
Training
Midgard trains in the methods used on lifting gear, including magnetic particle, penetrant and visual testing, along with all the other major methods, at Level I, II and III, with examinations at your facility or ours. See training and certification.
Common questions
How often do crane hooks need to be inspected?
Under ASME B30.10, hooks receive frequent visual inspections, from daily to monthly, and periodic inspections at intervals set by how heavily the equipment is used: typically yearly for normal service and more often for heavy or severe service. OSHA’s crane and sling rules also require regular inspection. Check the current edition of the standard and the manufacturer’s instructions for your equipment.
What makes a crane hook fail inspection?
Cracks; wear or gouges beyond the allowed limit; an opened throat, twist or bending beyond the limit; a missing or inoperable latch where one is required; and missing or illegible capacity markings. The limits are set in ASME B30.10 and by the manufacturer. A hook that fails is removed from service.
Is magnetic particle testing required on crane hooks?
Not at every inspection. The B30 standards are built around visual inspection, and leave NDT to the manufacturer, the qualified person and the owner’s program. MT is widely used because it finds cracks in the throat and shank that are hard to see.
Can hooks be inspected on site?
Yes. We inspect hooks, cranes and load-bearing equipment on site or at our location.
Tell us the equipment, the quantity, where it is, and the code or program you inspect to. Call 1-844-MIDGARD, email contact@midgardscientific.com, or use the contact page.