Alert 09 – 18 Near Miss – Loose Crane Ring Bolts
WHAT HAPPENED:
A crane boom slew was jamming while lifting medium loads. The boom, counterweight, winch, pedestal, lift cylinders and lower pedestal plate were removed for inspection. The rig crew discovered 30 loose bolts with another 30% of the bolts sheared off from contact with the inspection hole as well as a grooved path cut into the top plate. Bolt holes were stressed and cracked on the thin walled sides and bearings and rails were badly worn.