Who should replace or repair lifting hardware that shows signs of damage?

• A. The crane operator
• B. The site supervisor
• C. A competent person
• D. The owner

Answer: (C)

A competent person is the one who should handle replacing or repairing lifting hardware that shows signs of damage. This is because such hardware is safety-critical and requires someone with the proper knowledge, training, and authority to assess the damage, determine whether it can be repaired or must be replaced, and ensure that any work complies with manufacturer instructions and safety standards. The crane operator may notice the issue and report it, but they aren’t the person who makes or authorizes repairs. The site supervisor oversees work, but technical decisions about hardware integrity come from a competent person. The owner may provide resources, but the actual assessment and repair responsibilities rests with someone qualified to evaluate the condition and authorize corrective action. In practice, damaged hardware should be taken out of service and inspected by the competent person who will arrange the appropriate repair or replacement.