When to Inspect: A Timing Guide

Overview

Inspection timing depends on the equipment, its duty, service history, manufacturer instructions, jurisdiction and applicable standard. The triggers below are planning prompts, not a universal interval or a substitute for a current inspection program.

Typical Inspection Triggers

• EWPs — routine, annual and 10-year major inspection
• Cranes — routine, periodic and major inspection per AS 2550
• Pressure equipment — periodic in-service inspection per AS 3788
• Structural steel — during fabrication, at handover, and in service
• After any overload, impact or incident
• When defects or corrosion are suspected

Events That Change the Scope

• A repair, modification, replacement or change of duty
• Overload, collision, dropped load, abnormal movement or other incident
• A new indication, leak, unexpected thickness loss or change in operating condition
• A long period out of service followed by recommissioning
• A change in the applicable requirement, owner risk assessment or manufacturer instruction

Choosing an Interval

Use prior findings and repeatable measurements to trend condition, but do not extrapolate a remaining-life decision from a single reading. Corrosion rate, fatigue behaviour, access and consequence of failure all affect the interval. A competent person or responsible engineer should confirm the inspection plan where the result could affect continued operation.