Maintenance, Inspection and Thorough Examination of Mobile Cranes

� The competent person has the authority to stop the operation of any mobile
crane owned or operated by the company;
� The competent person has the authority to send reports of examination
where there is an imminent danger of serious personal injury to the
enforcing authority (HSE or Local Authority);
� The pay and rewards of competent persons should not depend on the
number of thorough examinations completed in a given period or the
findings of those examinations.
From this it is also clear that in-service thorough examinations, where a member of
the maintenance team examines his own work would not have the required degree of
independence. Members of the maintenance team may undertake supplementary
inspections, tests and reports requested by the competent person.
15.5 Auditing of In-house Thorough Examination Management Systems
Once an in-house thorough examination system has been established it is important
that it is regularly audited to ensure that the system is being adhered to and that it is
functioning correctly. Auditing should be carried out by an auditor from outside the
thorough examination department with a sufficient degree of independence.
If a business has a formal quality management system such as an ISO 9001
accredited system the thorough examination activity should be integrated into that
system and the scheduled audits.
Strong consideration should also be given to obtaining UKAS accreditation to ISO
17020 as an in-service inspection body.
Health, Safety and
Environment
Function
Thorough
Examination Function
Manager
Competent
Persons (Thorough
Examination)
Managing Director
Admin and
Records
Figure 3. – Typical In-house Thorough Examination Organisation
Structure
46
Maintenance
Manager
Internal Quality and
Audit Function
External Audit
Function
Senior Manager
Hire
Manager