Crane Inspections (Overhead Traveling, Portal, Monorail, Mobile)

Short answer: Crane inspection is the legal periodic inspection of lifting and conveying machinery within the scope of the Regulation on Health and Safety Requirements in the Use of Work Equipment (Annex III). Unless otherwise specified in the relevant standard. at least once a year It is done; static (approximately 1.25 times the declared load) And dynamic (~1.1 times) Load tests verify the crane's safe lifting capacity.

Cranes are heavy-duty equipment that lift tons of weight above the heads of workers, and a malfunction can have fatal consequences. A broken cable, brake failure, or a crack in the supporting structure can turn into a major workplace accident in seconds. Therefore, periodic inspections of cranes are not only a legal requirement but also one of the most critical life-safety measures on the job site.

Relevant standard: For the safety requirements of tower cranes EN 14439 (Tower Crane Safety) Check out our content.

AES Innovation, with its qualified engineers, performs periodic inspections of overhead, gantry, monorail, and mobile cranes in accordance with relevant regulations and TS EN standards (e.g., TS EN 15011 for overhead/gantry cranes, TS EN 13000 for mobile cranes).

Which cranes are covered?

• overhead traveling cranes (overhead/bridge cranes)
• Portal and semi-portal cranes
• Monorail and jib cranes
• Mobile and tower cranes
• Hoists, electric/manual lifting equipment and slings.

Legal Basis and Relevant Standards

Lifting and conveying equipment is subject to periodic inspection under Annex III of the regulation attached to the Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331. The regulation specifies the inspection process. by qualified persons such as mechanical engineers/technicians It requires that it be done and reported. The general period is, unless otherwise specified in the standard or manufacturer's instructions. once a yearFor the report to have legal and international validity, an authorized inspection body should be preferred.

What is checked during crane inspection?

• Load-bearing structure: Cracks, corrosion, and deformation in bridges, piers, rails, and welded joints.
• Lifting equipment: Wear, crushing, and wire breakage in steel cables, chains, hooks, and pulleys.
• Brakes and drive: holding effectiveness of lifting and running brakes, gearbox and clutch
• Safety devices: overload limiter, up/down limit switches, buffer, emergency stop and warning systems.
• Electrical system: grounding continuity, control and protection circuits, cable condition

Load Testing: Static and Dynamic

The most crucial stage of crane inspection is the load test. Static testThe crane is loaded with a test load exceeding the declared load (usually 1.25 times in practice); the load is held in suspension for a short period to evaluate the strength of the supporting structure and whether any permanent deformation occurs. Dynamic testIn this test, the load (usually 1.1 times the standard load) is moved throughout the entire lifting, lowering, and traversing movement to verify the functionality of the braking, drive, and safety systems under real-world operating conditions. These two tests together provide concrete proof that the crane truly and safely carries the capacity stated on its label.

Most Common Nonconformities Encountered in the Field

• Steel cables with worn or broken wires and damaged hooks.
• Maladjusted or worn lifting brake
• Disabled or incorrectly configured overload limiter.
• Non-functioning limit switches and emergency stops.
• Missing/illegible capacity label and operating instructions.
• Interruption in grounding continuity.

AES's Crane Inspection Process

1. Review of equipment inventory, capacity and technical documentation.
2. Visual and instrumental inspection of the load-bearing structure and lifting equipment.
3. Application of static and dynamic load tests.
4. Functional check of brake and safety devices.
5. Authorized report, nonconformity classification and corrective recommendations

2025 Legislative Update: Amendments to the Work Equipment Regulation

Regulation on Health and Safety Requirements in the Use of Work Equipment (Official Gazette 25.04.2013 / 28628), With the amendment published in the Official Gazette dated December 23, 2025, and numbered 33116. It has been updated. This change directly affects the framework governing periodic inspections and introduces some innovations that businesses should pay attention to.

• In order to comply with Law No. 6331, the phrase "accredited inspection body" in the legislation has been amended. ""equipment inspection organization"" It has been organized as follows.
• During the transition period, organizations accredited by TÜRKAK under TS EN ISO/IEC 17020 are considered "equipment inspection organizations" until the Ministry makes a new regulation (compliance schedule 1/1/2027).
• Without performing periodic inspection services at the latest 1 day before, It has been made mandatory for the employer and the authorized person to prepare and mutually approve a contract in accordance with the example in the OHS-KATIP system.

The periodic inspection periods have been essentially preserved with this change; inspections will continue to be carried out at least once a year unless otherwise specified in the relevant standard. This content is for informational purposes only; the current Official Gazette text should be considered for precise obligations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What impact did the December 23, 2025 legislative change have?

The Work Equipment Regulation has been updated with amendment number 33116 dated 23.12.2025. The term "accredited inspection body" has been changed to "equipment inspection body," it has become mandatory to sign a contract via ISG-KATIP at least one day in advance, and a transition period (1/1/2027) has been foreseen for TÜRKAK 17020 accreditation. Inspection periods have essentially remained the same.

How often should cranes undergo periodic inspections?

The general rule is at least once a year; the period is shortened in cases of heavy/intensive use or if required by the relevant standard.

Does the newly purchased crane also require an inspection?

Yes. An initial inspection should be carried out before commissioning, followed by periodic checks.

How long does the load test take?

The type, capacity, and number of cranes are all factors to consider; production is organized in a planned manner to ensure uninterrupted completion.

Secure Your Cranes with Authorized Inspection

for periodic inspection Our Inspection and Periodic Control Services Review it; for the legal framework. mandatory periodic inspection Check our guide.