Crane Operation & Maintenance

Importance to Safety Performance

Travis Dupre
Thunder Oilfield Service (Thailand) Ltd
Crane Operation & Maintenance
API Specification 2C
Provides standards for offshore pedestal
mounted cranes.
API Recommended Practice 2D
Guidelines for operation, inspection and
maintenance of offshore pedestal
mounted cranes. Should be referenced in
conjunction with Spec 2C.
How to ensure the crane is 2C
Operation & Maintenance of
API Spec 2C Cranes
Operation, maintenance and inspections
must be performed by Qualified
Personnel in accordance with API RP 2D
requirements:
Qualified Rigger
Qualified Operator
Qualified Inspector

API RP 2D Qualified Rigger:
A rigger is anyone who attaches or
detaches lifting equipment to loads or
lifting devices. In order to be considered
a qualified rigger, the person shall have
successfully completed a rigger-training
program in accordance with API RP 2D.

API RP 2D Qualified Operator:
A person designated by the employer
with appropriate offshore experience and
training. Such experience and training
must comprise of classroom-type
sessions and hands-on field training on
cranes specific to the type to be
operated. These minimum requirements
are outlined in API RP 2D.
API RP 2D Qualified Inspector:
A person designated by the employer who
has appropriate experience and training, has
successfully completed classroom-type
training sessions on crane maintenance and
hoist troubleshooting and overhaul, as well
as the structural aspects of offshore cranes.
These minimum training requirements are
outlined in API RP 2D.

Inspection and Testing
Inspection & Testing must meet or
exceed API RP 2D recommendations
Cranes built to API Spec 2C are to be
repaired, inspected and tested
following API RP 2D recommendations.

Crane Usage and Categories
Infrequent Usage - 10 hours or less per
month, based on a 3 month average.
Moderate Usage - more than 10 hours
but for less than 50 hours per month,
based on a 3 month average.
Heavy Usage- cranes that are used for 50
hours or more per month.

Operator - Inspection Categories
Pre-use Inspection- prior to the first
crane use of the day, each change in
operator, and also as the qualified
operator deems necessary during the
day.
Monthly Inspection- once per month,
for all cranes assigned a heavy usage
category.
Inspector - Inspection Categories
Pre-use Inspection & Monthly
Quarterly Inspection- once every three months
all cranes are assigned a moderate or heavy
usage category.
Annual Inspection- once every twelve months.
Applies to all cranes, regardless of usage
category.
Initial Inspection cranes being placed into
service, being permanently relocated and
temporary cranes after each rig up and
relocation.
Usage/Inspection/Inspector Matrix
Usage Category
Infrequent Moderate Heavy
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Qualified Inspector
or
Qualified Operator
Qualified Inspector
Only
No Inspection
Required
Inspection & Load Test Records
A log of pre-use inspections should be
maintained.
Initial, monthly, quarterly and annual
inspection reports, as well as records of
repairs and modifications carried out on
cranes in accordance with this
Recommended Practice should be kept
readily available for a period of 4 years at
an appropriate location.
Inspection Topics to Remember
If a crane is operated more than 50 hours in one
month period, it immediately falls in to the heavy
use category.
A quarterly inspection should be performed in
the event a crane's duty cycle increases from
infrequent usage to a higher usage category.
An annual inspection should not exceed twelve
months from the last inspection.
Should the owner choose not to track usage the
crane will automatically default to heavy use
category.
Repairs and Replacements
If unsafe conditions are identified during the
inspection, the crane shall be taken out of
service or its operation restricted to
eliminate the unsafe condition.

All major replacement parts should equal or
exceed the OEMs recommendations.
Welding Repairs
No welding repairs shall be made to critical
components, such as booms and swing circle
assemblies without specific repair procedures
and recommendations from the OEM, or
other qualified source (such as an API
licensed 2C crane manufacturer, authorized
surveyor, or an engineer experienced in the
design of the crane, as determined by the
owner).
Critical Components
A critical component is any component of
the crane assembly whose failure would
result in an uncontrolled descent of the
load or uncontrolled rotation of the
upper-structure. These components are
required to have stringent design,
material, traceability and inspection
requirements.
Preventive Maintenance
A preventive maintenance program
should be established by the owner.

The referenced inspections criteria of 2D
should NOT be considered a Preventative
Maintenance program, however it is
possible to integrate the programs.
Record Retention
The manufacturer shall maintain all
inspection and testing records for 20 years.
These records shall be employed in a quality
audit program of assessing malfunctions and
failures for the purpose of correcting or
eliminating design, manufacturing or
inspection functions which may have
contributed to the malfunction or failure.
Without Spec 2C & RP 2D =
Bathtub Curve
API Spec 2C & RP 2D = Reliability
Importance to Safety
Performance

Consequently, understanding how the
documents relate to one another directly
impacts safety performance in concerns
to offshore pedestal mounted crane
operations and maintenance.
Thank you!