--- title: "When a Crane Fails: A Costly Reminder to Inspect" description: A critical crane failure led to serious injury and a major fine. Learn how proper inspections using The Checker’s checklist books or software can prevent incidents. image: https://www.thechecker.net/hubfs/Crane/bridge%20crane-1.png --- [![the-checker-grey-300](https://www.thechecker.net/hubfs/the-checker-grey-300.png) ](https://www.thechecker.net/) [ Login ](https://store.thechecker.net/login.php) [ GET A DEMO ](https://www.thechecker.net/demo) 2 min read ## [When a Crane Fails: A Costly Reminder to Inspect](https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/when-a-crane-fails-a-costly-reminder-to-inspect) ![David Lefevre](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/a665346344fbbf5337e027ddcb64ef39) by [David Lefevre](https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/author/david-lefevre) ![](https://www.thechecker.net/hubfs/Crane/bridge%20crane-1.png) Crane inspections aren’t just a box to check; they’re a line of defence between a typical day on the job and a devastating injury. In one recent case here in Ontario, a worker was critically injured when a 460-pound broach stick fell from a crane. The crane's clamp attachment wasn’t fully closed, yet the controls still allowed the lift to do something that never should have happened. The cause? The crane controls weren’t functioning as designed. A failure like that can go unnoticed until it’s too late. ### What Went Wrong? Investigators discovered the crane’s malfunction allowed it to lift loads that weren’t adequately secured. There was no fail-safe, no system to prevent operation when the clamp was partially engaged. That moment of oversight led to a critical injury and a $350,000 fine. ### What Could Have Prevented It? **A thorough inspection, along with a supporting system.** Crane components, especially control systems and attachments, must be inspected regularly and thoroughly. If the malfunctioning controls had been part of a daily checklist, the issue could have been caught long before the lift. **A consistent, structured approach.** Many workplaces still rely on memory or handwritten notes. A proper inspection program—one that’s repeatable, trackable, and easy to understand—is what turns “we check it” into “we know it’s safe.” ### The Checker Can Help You Build That Program Whether you’re managing a single crane or an entire fleet, The Checker offers two flexible ways to build an inspection process that works for your team: #### 🗒️ **The Checker Inspection Checklist Books** Our best-in-class books are designed by safety professionals to inspect cranes, hoists, and lifting equipment with detail and accuracy. Each book includes: - 150 detailed inspections (more than 6 months of daily checks) - Room for notes and issue documentation - Two carbonless copies. One to keep, one to share - Weather-resistant storage pouches #### 💻 **The Checker Inspection Software** Need more control and visibility? The Checker’s software helps you: - Build customized inspection programs for any crane or group of cranes - Schedule recurring inspections - Track performance over time - Capture and report issues in real time - Close the loop between field personnel, maintenance, and safety leads Whether you’re on paper or digital, The Checker helps you take inspections seriously and make safety easier to manage. ### Don’t Wait for a Failure to Find the Gap Most equipment failures don’t come out of nowhere. The signs are there, if you have the system to catch them. Ask yourself: - Are we doing inspections often enough? - Are we checking the right components? - Are our records reliable and actionable? If not, now’s the time to build a better inspection program before the next “what if” becomes a “what now.” ### Ready to Get Started? Explore [The Checker Inspection Checklist Books](https://www.thechecker.net/inspection-checklists) or [learn more about The Checker Software](https://www.thechecker.net/software) and discover how simple, effective inspections can prevent your next costly incident. Tags: [inspection software](https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/topic/inspection-software), [equipment safety](https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/topic/equipment-safety) - [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/when-a-crane-fails-a-costly-reminder-to-inspect&title=When%20a%20Crane%20Fails:%20A%20Costly%20Reminder%20to%20Inspect&picture=https://245203.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/245203/Crane/bridge%20crane-1.png&description=A%20critical%20crane%20failure%20led%20to%20serious%20injury%20and%20a%20major%20fine.%20Learn%20how%20proper%20inspections%20using%20The%20Checker’s%20checklist%20books%20or%20software%20can%20prevent%20incidents.) - [**](https://twitter.com/share?source=https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/when-a-crane-fails-a-costly-reminder-to-inspect&text=When%20a%20Crane%20Fails:%20A%20Costly%20Reminder%20to%20Inspect%20-%20https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/when-a-crane-fails-a-costly-reminder-to-inspect) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/when-a-crane-fails-a-costly-reminder-to-inspect&title=When%20a%20Crane%20Fails:%20A%20Costly%20Reminder%20to%20Inspect&summary=A%20critical%20crane%20failure%20led%20to%20serious%20injury%20and%20a%20major%20fine.%20Learn%20how%20proper%20inspections%20using%20The%20Checker’s%20checklist%20books%20or%20software%20can%20prevent%20incidents.) ## Related Articles ## [What Fire Departments Can Teach Us About Better Inspections](https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/what-fire-departments-can-teach-us-about-better-inspections) 2 min read Topics: [equipment maintenance](https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/topic/equipment-maintenance), [equipment safety](https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/topic/equipment-safety) ## [Spring Clean-Up Season Depends on Equipment That's Ready to Work](https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/spring-cleanup-equipment-works-hard.-inspection-documentation-matters-more-than-ever) 3 min read Topics: [inspection checklists](https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/topic/inspection-checklists), [equipment maintenance](https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/topic/equipment-maintenance), [equipment safety](https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/topic/equipment-safety) ## [What Should You Be Checking on a Boom Truck Crane?](https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/what-should-you-be-checking-on-a-boom-truck-crane) 4 min read Topics: [inspection checklists](https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/topic/inspection-checklists), [equipment maintenance](https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/topic/equipment-maintenance), [equipment safety](https://www.thechecker.net/stories/blog/topic/equipment-safety) ## FREE eBOOK WHY INSPECT? 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