Cranes are essential for moving heavy materials. They enable construction workers to work efficiently and safely. For cranes to be used safely, they must undergo maintenance and periodic inspections.
Scope of the sector
3 Dutch conformity assessment bodies (NL-CABs) are authorised to carry out re-inspections of cranes. Once a crane has been approved, the owner receives a certificate of approval and a TCVT approval sticker. These show that the crane complies with the statutory safety requirements and can therefore be used safely. The certificate remains valid for 2 years.
In the Netherlands, 8,807 cranes held a valid certificate in 2023. In the same year, the NL-CABs issued a total of 4,626 certificates. Applications for 301 cranes were refused due to technical shortcomings.
Number of crane certificate applications (2023)
Risks
In 2020, the Netherlands Labour Authority carried out an investigation (Dutch) into the crane inspection system. The investigation showed that crane inspections are carried out properly. However, the Netherlands Labour Authority still identifies several risks:
There are no clear criteria for the induction and further training of crane inspectors. This can lead to differences in knowledge and skills, which means inspectors may assess the same situation differently.
Cranes are not subject to a periodic vehicle inspection, and the compulsory re-inspection does not cover the crane's travelling mechanisms. As a result, approved cranes may still have travelling mechanisms in poor condition. This can lead to accidents.
Approach
Because NL-CABs give induction training to new inspectors in different ways, differences arise in their level of knowledge. There are also no clear criteria for the further training of inspectors, which increases these differences. Including criteria for induction and further training in the certification scheme could remove these differences. The Netherlands Labour Authority has raised this issue with the scheme manager.
The owner of a crane is responsible for properly maintaining its travelling mechanisms. Some owners voluntarily arrange a periodic vehicle inspection for the travelling mechanisms. The Netherlands Labour Authority has stressed the importance of a consistent approach to inspecting the travelling mechanisms to the scheme manager and the NL-CABs.
In addition to identifying these risks, the Netherlands Labour Authority also carries out inspections during hoisting operations. In 2024, the Netherlands Labour Authority carried out inspections during hoisting operations in the construction sector. These inspections included checks on crane inspections and the registration of crane operators.
Results
In 2023 and 2024, the Netherlands Labour Authority carried out 25 inspections into the re-inspection of cranes at marinas and small shipyards. Three-quarters of the cranes inspected by the Netherlands Labour Authority complied with the requirements. The remaining cranes had a range of defects. For most violations, a warning from the Netherlands Labour Authority sufficed.
In 2024, the Netherlands Labour Authority carried out 291 inspections into hoisting operations at construction sites. It identified 158 violations, of which 39 related to the re-inspection of the crane, hoisting accessories or hoisting equipment.