Mandated Annual MEWP Checkup
Your Annual Checkup
Our friends at JLG have posted an article that reminds us that equipment owners and managers are required to do an annual inspection on all MEWPs: mobile elevating work platforms. That also includes towable boom lifts.
The required inspections and maintenance are outlined in both the appropriate JLG Operator & Safety manual and the Service & Maintenance manual.
ANSI and CSA guidelines require this annual machine inspection (AMI) to be done by a qualified mechanic who is familiar with that particular make and model. JLG recommends that a Factory Trained Service Technician performs the AMI.
Further requirements include:
Two-Year Boom Inspection (MEWPs only)
Inspections are required every two years on chain extension and retraction models.
12-Year Wire Rope Replacement, or 7,000 Machine Hours (MEWPs only)
Inspections and wire rope replacement are required every 12 years or 7,000 machine hours on models equipped with wire rope extension and retraction systems.
AMI Forms and Checks
Before beginning an annual inspection, download the AMI form for JLG boom lifts, available here, and prepare one form for each boom lift in the fleet, including the machine’s serial number, machine model, hour meter reading, previous inspection date, and the product owners’ name and address.
During the inspection, check each item listed on the form, indicating with a Y (= Yes) if it passes, N (= No) if it fails or C (= Corrected) if a discrepancy has been found and fixed. NA (= Not Applicable) can be marked if the item is not relevant to the specific machine.
For JLG boom lifts, there are nine areas of the machine that must be checked during the annual inspection:
1. Functions & Controls
2. Platform Assembly
3. Boom Assembly
4. Turntable
5. Chassis
6. Power System
7. Hydraulic/Electrical System
8. Manuals & Decals
9. General items
For a more detailed breakdown of items to be inspected, please refer to JLG’s original article here, or download the inspection forms for the piece of equipment that needs to be inspected here.
AMI Action Steps
If any discrepancies are found during the annual inspection, no one should operate, or otherwise use, the boom lift until all discrepancies have been corrected. If any items are found to be not acceptable, the boom lift must be immediately removed from service (tagged out), and any repairs to defective or damaged components should be made as soon as possible by a qualified person.
These inspections are required by ANSI and CSA to keep you and your workplace safe. The time spent and the potential cost of repairs are much less than the cost of an accident on a worksite. The additional benefit of these annual inspections is that you are much more likely to find an issue on one of your machines before it becomes a significant problem and a more costly repair. You can avoid a work stoppage in advance that might come at a critical time otherwise.
