“Side Booms” or other terminology “Pipelayers” along with excavators or rubber-tired hoes lift/ maneuver pipe to be welded and set in place on pipeline projects. The environment, weather conditions, and frequency of movement can take its toll on structural components of this equipment. Depending on the weight of the pipe, inspection criteria could fall under Part 6 of the OH&S Act, Regulation and Code- “Cranes, Hoist and Lift Devices”. Section 59(1) of Part 6 applies to lifting devices, including cranes, hoists with a rated load capacity of 2000 Kilograms or more. Typical areas requiring inspection as follows.

Side Booms- Track Frames/ Pads, Boom Foot Assembly, Counterweight Foot Assembly, Counterweight Frame, Draw Works Assembly, Boom Hoist line, Main Hoist line, Boom/ Stick and Upper/ Lower Snatch Blocks.

Excavators- Track Frames & Pads, Carrier Frame, Rotational Bearing, Upper Rotating Structure, Boom Butt Section, Boom Stick, Bucket Connection, Bucket, H-Link and Lift Lug

It is also now common to see additional lift lugs added to buckets for lifting purposes, which when performing inspections could fall under CSA W59 inspection criteria and as previously stated OH&S Part 6 Section 59(1) when lifting greater than 2000 Kilograms.