Date Revision Description Owner Approver

Executive
Global Design
26 Apr 2018 0 New Document Director of
Manager
Global Services

DELIVERY ASSURED
 Crane Load Path Guidance

Table of Contents
List of Tables & Figures .................................................................................................................................2
1 Purpose and scope ...........................................................................................................................3
2 Introduction........................................................................................................................................3
3 Load path Component List ................................................................................................................4
4 Load path Illustration .........................................................................................................................6

List of Tables & Figures

Table 1 – Categorisation of components........................................................................................................ 4

Figure 1.1 – Load path Illustration.................................................................................................................. 6

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 Crane Load Path Guidance

1 Purpose and Scope

This document defines the load path categorisations for different components on an offshore crane. It is
to be used as a guide for personnel conducting inspection on offshore cranes.

2 Introduction

This Document has been created to provide support with the inspection of offshore cranes.

Due to the large number of components on a typical offshore crane, and the different purposes they
serve, it is important to inspect them correctly according to their function. This ensures that the crane is
safe and fit for purpose. Therefore, to ensure the correct inspection criteria is applied, the following load
path categories should be observed;

Load path – Components which are directly involved in lifting operations, failure of which could result in a
dropped load.

Non-load path – Components which are required for the crane’s operation, but failure of which will not
result in a dropped load. These still require inspection to ensure they are in a safe condition for use.

Potential dropped objects – Typically ancillary components which are fixed onto main structures, these
need to be inspected to ensure they are safely secured thus preventing them from becoming a dropped
object. Note that components in this category should also have their associated bracketry or means of
mounting inspected alongside the components themselves.

Please note that the following tables and diagrams are designed to provide an awareness; they are not
to be used as a fully-comprehensive instruction. The personnel carrying out the inspection should ensure
a thorough inspection is carried out on each component, noting any defects or damage.

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 Crane Load Path Guidance

3 Load Path Component List

Potential
Component Load Path Non-Load Path
Dropped Objects

Pedestal X

Slewring X

Slewring Bolts X

Chassis X

Machinery House X

Cab X

A-frame / Gantry X

A-frame / Gantry Connections and Bolts X

Boom Back-stops X

Boom Back-stop Buffers / Pads X

Live Mast X

Boom Luffing Cylinders X

Complete Boom X

Boom Foot Section X

Boom Mid Section(s) X

Boom Head Section X

Auxiliary Jib / Fly Jib X

Boom Chords X

Boom Lattices X

Box Boom X

Boom Foot Pins X

Boom Section Connecting Pins / Bolts X

Sheaves (Including Pins) X

Boom Hoist Rope X

Boom Hoist Rope Dead-end Connection Assemblies
X
(Including link-plates and load monitoring devices)
Main Hoist Rope X
Main Hoist Rope Dead-end Connection Assemblies
X
(Including link-plates and load monitoring devices)

Table 1
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 Crane Load Path Guidance

Potential
Component Load Path Non-Load Path
Dropped Objects

Auxiliary Hoist Rope X

Pendant Ropes X

Bridle / Equaliser X

Winches X

Winch Mounting Structures X

Winch Guards X

Hook Blocks X

Headache Balls X

Maintenance Davits / Runway Beams (See note 1) X (Note 1) X

Walkways and Grating X

Handrails X

Ladders X

Signage X

Floodlights X

Navigation Lights X

Boom Angle Indicator X

Anemometers X

Cable Trays X

Wind Socks X

Boom Impact Protection X

Rope Rollers X

Boom Tip Camera X

Table 1 continued

Note 1 – Maintenance Davits / Runway beams form part of the load path only when in operation. At all
other times, they are to be considered non-load path.

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 Crane Load Path Guidance
4 Load Path Illustration

Figure 1.1

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