What inspections are required for crane wire rope?

• A. Visual checks only if suspicious.
• B. Only annual inspection by a supervisor.
• C. Daily visual inspections for damage; periodic thorough inspections by a qualified person; remove damaged rope.
• D. No inspection is required.

Answer: (C)

Daily visual inspections are essential for crane wire rope because they catch obvious damage before use, while periodic thorough inspections by a qualified person check for hidden defects that aren’t always visible. The operator should examine the rope each day for issues like broken strands, flat spots, corrosion, kinks, bird-caging, crushing, and wear at end connections. If any damage is found, the rope must be removed from service to prevent a failure.

In addition, at recommended intervals a more thorough, formal inspection by a qualified person is required. This expert evaluates the rope’s overall condition, including internal wear, core damage, diameter changes, and the condition of terminations, to determine if the rope is still safe to use or if retirement or replacement is necessary.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: daily checks aren’t limited to “when suspicious”—they’re performed every day to ensure ongoing safety. Relying on only an annual inspection misses many issues that can develop quickly, and a yearly inspection by a supervisor isn’t sufficient if it’s not done by a qualified person or if it replaces the required daily checks. No inspection at all would ignore obvious safety risks and regulatory requirements.