Crane Classifications Frequent Inspections Chart

Crane Service Class¹	Minimum OSHA² Inspections	Definition

A	Semi-Annually	Standby or Infrequent Service: This class covers cranes which may be used in installations such as powerhouse, public utilities, turbine rooms, motor rooms and transformer stations were precise handling of equipment at slow speeds with long idle periods between lifts are required. Capacity loads may be handled for initial installation of equipment and for infrequent maintenance.

B	Monthly	Light Service: This service covers cranes which may be used in repair shops, light assembly operations, service buildings, light warehousing, etc., where service requirements are light and speed is slow. Loads may vary from no load to occasional full rated loads with 2 to 5 lifts per hour, averaging 10 feet per lift.

C	Monthly	Moderate Service: This service covers cranes which may be used in machine shops or paper mill machine rooms, etc. where service requirements are moderate. In this type of service the crane will handle loads which average 50 percent the rated capacity with 5 to 10 lifts per hour, averaging 15 feet, not over 50 percent of the lift at rated capacity.

D	Semi - Monthly To Monthly	Heavy Service: This service covers cranes which may be used in heavy machine shops, foundries, fabricating plants, steel warehouses, container yards, lumber mills, etc. and standard duty bucket and magnet operations where heavy duty production is required. In this type of service, loads approaching 50 percent of the rated capacity will be handled constantly during the working period. High speeds are desirable for this type of service with 10 to 20 lifts per hour averaging 15 feet, not over 65 percent of the lifts at rated capacity.

E	3-5 Days	Severe Service: This type of service requires a crane capable of handling loads approaching a rated capacity throughout its life. Applications may include magnet, bucket, magnet/bucket combination cranes for scrap yards, cement mills, lumber mills, fertilizer plants, container handling, etc., with 20 or more lifts per hour at or near rated capacity.

F	Daily	Continuous Severe Service: This type of service requires a crane capable of handling loads approaching rated capability continuously under severe service conditions throughout its lift. Application may include customer designed specialty cranes essential to performing the critical work tasks affecting the total productions facility. These cranes must provide the highest reliability with special attention to ease of maintenance features.

¹ Crane classifications from CMAA Specifications #70, Revised 1994
² Interpretation of OSHA, HMI, CMAA and ANSI Codes.