In-Plant Cranes, Hoists and Lifting Devices - Types, Components, Inspection, Operation and Safety

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify common types of in-plant cranes, hoists, and lifting devices and their typical applications
• Recognize key structural, mechanical, and electrical components that affect crane performance and safety
• Select and assess crane-lifting attachments and equipment based on operational requirements
• Apply inspection, testing, maintenance, and documentation practices for cranes and lifting devices
• Identify safety responsibilities, lifting practices, and code-related risks associated with crane operations

Description

Cranes, hoists, and lifting devices are essential to material handling in many industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities. When these systems are poorly selected, inspected, maintained, or operated, the consequences can include equipment failure, production delays, safety incidents, and regulatory non-compliance.

This course provides a practical overview of in-plant cranes and lifting devices, including their major equipment types, lifting attachments, structural components, mechanical systems, electrical systems, and runway considerations. You will examine how these elements work together and how inspection, repair, testing, and documentation practices support safe and reliable operation.

Through a structured review of crane components, inspection requirements, lifting practices, and safety responsibilities, you will build the knowledge needed to better support crane operation, maintenance, compliance, and risk reduction in plant and facility environments.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for:

• Mechanical engineers and engineering technologists
• Plant, facility, operations, and maintenance personnel
• Supervisors responsible for crane use, maintenance, or safety oversight
• Technicians, stationary engineers, consultants, and contractors involved with cranes or lifting devices
• Professionals responsible for inspection, repair, testing, documentation, or operational safety of cranes and hoists

Day I

Types of Cranes and Hoists

• Terms and definitions
• Bridge cranes
• Gantry cranes
• Mobile frames
• Jib cranes
• Monorails
• Hoists
• Explosion-proof cranes and hoists
• Cranes in harsh environments
• Crane duty classifications
• Selecting and specifying a crane

Crane Structural Components

• Strength of materials
• Design considerations
• Welding

Crane Mechanical Components

• Shafts and couplings
• Gearing
• Bearings
• Brakes
• Hook blocks
• Rope drums

Crane Electrical Components

• Enclosures
• Motors
• Variable frequency drives
• Controls
• Limit switches
• Conductors

Day II

Overhead Crane Runways

• Stops and bumpers
• Alignment requirements
• Inspection plots

Lifting Attachments and Equipment

• Spreader bars
• Tag lines
• Slings
• Miscellaneous lifting devices: hooks, shackles, eye bolts
• Magnets
• Vacuum lifters

Ropes

• Reeving
• Terms and definitions
• Patterns
• Lay
• End fittings
• Inspection

Crane Inspection, Repair and Testing

• Crane inspector and maintainer qualifications for overhead and gantry cranes
• Daily or shift operator checks
• Operational inspection requirements
• Periodic inspection requirements
• Inspection of overhead and gantry crane components: structural, mechanical and electrical
• Inspection of hoists, mobile frames and jib cranes
• Crane repair and testing
• Documentation and logbooks

Crane Safety Aspects

• Hand signals
• Supervisor’s responsibilities
• Operators’ and Riggers’ responsibilities
• Lifting practices
• Maintainers and other plant worker’s responsibilities
• General
• Consequences of code violations
• Example of crane incidents

Summary and Final Adjournment