Improved safety: 
Regular frequent and periodic inspections done at intervals meeting or exceeding ANSI B30.2 requirements will assure a safer working environment for employees.
 

Compliance with regulations:
OSHA requires that inspections be performed per the OSHA codes and relevant industry standards.
 

Reduced exposure to potential liability:
Proper frequent and periodic inspections performed by qualified inspectors and done routinely as determined by ANSI and CMAA requirements will reduce your legal exposure to liability suits arising from accidents involving improperly inspected equipment.  With increased self insurance requirements and higher insurance deductibles of many companies today, proper inspections are a must
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Reduced unplanned downtime:
Proper inspections will identify mechanical and electrical components before they fail.  This allows their planned replacement when the crane can be placed out of service, rather that delaying production with an emergency breakdown when production is in full force.
 

Increased equipment life:
Inspections with preventive maintenance included increase equipment life by identifying and allowing correction of low lubrication levels or brake wear that could result in the destruction of the equipment if left unattended.

Hook and Wire rope or Chain Condition must be inspected and documented at least monthly.

A "frequent" visual and operational inspection must be performed on a daily to monthly basis depending on service, environmental and application factors as determined by a qualified individual.

A "periodic" detailed visual and operational inspection must be performed on a quarterly to annual basis determined by service.

	If the ANSI B30.2 service class is "Heavy" and the number of shifts the crane is operated is 2 or more than the crane must be inspected at least 2 times a year.  (Heavy service is use at 85 to 100% of rated load or in excess of 10 lift cycles per hour as a regular specified procedure.)
	If the ANSI B30.2 service class is "Severe" the crane must be inspected at least 4 times a year.  ("Severe" service is use at normal and/or heavy use in an abnormal environment such as high or low ambient temperatures, exposure to adverse weather, corrosive fumes, dust or moisture laden atmospheres, and hazardous environments.)

An "Initial" load test with a periodic inspection must be performed by a qualified person at 125% of the rated capacity prior to new crane and hoist equipment being placed into service.  The certificate or report outlining this load test must be maintained with the equipment records for the life of the equipment.  If this certificate is missing or the initial was never performed the equipment should be placed out of service until another initial inspection can be performed.

When major repairs have been performed that involve the load bearing components of the crane or hoist another load test must be performed to 125% of the rated load.

The person responsible for performing the inspections must be "Qualified" however.  One of the greatest concerns a company should have if they are inspecting their own equipment is the ability to prove the qualifications of their inspector if an accident and injury occurs.  If proper qualifications cannot be proven in the courtroom, the potential liability is tremendous.  See the next question for what constitutes a qualified inspector.

Many crane users are under the mistaken assumption that cranes only need inspected once a year.  This misperception is often a result of the sales efforts of unqualified crane service companies not looking after the best interest of customers.

This misinformation often results in non-compliance and a potentially fatal situation with failure to properly inspect equipment with a high service class.

If an accident occurs and the equipment should have been inspected more often based on the equipment's service class than the inspection records dictate, than a real potential for a liability suit for negligence exists.

With insurance deductibles rising, the cost of overlooking proper inspection intervals has also increased dramatically.