LOLER 1998 · Lifting equipment

Goliath Crane Thorough Examination

Independent thorough examination and certification of your goliath crane as lifting equipment, by a competent person under LOLER.

A goliath crane carries its own runway, so every lift loads the legs, the bogies and the floor rails as well as the hoist. We examine goliath and semi goliath cranes under LOLER, from the rail fixings up to the hook, and certify each one with a Report of Thorough Examination.

0330 043 8191 Request a quote

Independent and impartial
Competent engineer surveyors
Reports issued promptly

12 monthsStatutory maximum interval for goliath cranes lifting goods

Rails includedThe travel track is part of the installation we examine

Reg 10Report of Thorough Examination issued on completion

BS 7121Part 7 covers goliath and travelling cranes and guides our work

Lifting equipment we examine

Why your goliath crane needs LOLER examination

A goliath crane, sometimes called a portal or gantry crane, is a bridge girder carried on rigid legs that travel along rails set in the floor or yard. A semi goliath runs one leg on the floor and the other on an elevated runway. Because the structure carries its own runway, goliaths serve yards, shipbuilders and fabricators where hanging a crane from the building is impossible or the loads are simply too great.

That self carrying design is also where the risk concentrates. Everything the crane lifts passes through the leg to girder connections into a pair of floor rails, and any misalignment shows up as skew, the racking of one leg ahead of the other that overstresses the whole frame. Outdoor machines add wind to the equation, which is why storm anchors and rail clamps are part of the examination, not an accessory to it.

Goliath cranes

Semi goliath cranes

Single girder gantries

Double girder gantries

Rail mounted yard cranes

Container handling gantries

Hoists and crabs

Floor rails and end stops

How it works

How we examine your goliath crane

The examination covers the full load path: girder and leg structure, the leg to girder connections, long travel bogies and wheels, the floor rails with their fixings and end stops, the hoist or crab, ropes or chain, brakes, limit switches, and the storm gear on outdoor units. Travel, cross travel and hoisting are all proven under power.

1
Survey the installation, not just the crane
Because a goliath's safety depends on its rails, we examine the track, fixings and end stops along with the structure above them.
2
Prove every motion and every limit
Long travel, cross travel and hoist are run through their range, with the limits, brakes and any anti collision devices demonstrated working.
3
Certify and schedule
The Reg 10 report classifies any defects, sets the next examination date and lands in your portal the same day, ready for audits and insurers.

Why businesses choose SEIS

Examiners familiar with goliath, semi goliath and rail mounted yard cranes
The rails and civils interface examined as part of the installation
Independent of the crane's maker and maintainer
Reports in your SEIS portal the same day, with defects classified and timed

What we examine

Goliath crane: what a thorough examination covers

Skew and leg racking

One drive working harder than the other racks the legs and twists the frame. We look for flange wear, drive mismatch and the tell tale polishing that says the crane is crabbing.

Floor rails and fixings

Loose clips, cracked welds and settlement throw the track out of gauge. The rails, their fixings and the end stops are examined as part of the crane.

Wheel flanges and bogies

Flange wear is the record of every skewed metre the crane has travelled. Bogie pivots, wheels and drives are checked for wear and security.

Storm anchors and rail clamps

An outdoor goliath must be parked against the wind. We confirm the anchors, clamps and any wind speed devices are present, effective and used.

Hoist rope and brake

The rope is examined for broken wires and drum damage, and the hoist brake is proven to hold the load, not just to stop the motor.

Limit switches

Hoist top limits, travel limits and any anti collision protection are demonstrated live. A bridged out limit is a defect, not a setting.

Intervals and certification

How often, and what you receive

Every goliath crane examination ends with a Report of Thorough Examination under LOLER Regulation 10, covering the crane and the installation it depends on. Defects are classified with timescales, the next examination date is stated, and anything presenting immediate danger is notified to you at once and, where required, to the enforcing authority. Reports live in your SEIS client portal alongside the rest of your lifting equipment.

6 monthsEquipment that lifts people, and all lifting accessories

12 monthsOther lifting equipment, unless an examination scheme sets otherwise

Schedule 1A Report of Thorough Examination, your legal record

IndependentWe examine it, we do not sell or maintain it

You receive a Report of Thorough Examination, the record LOLER requires, with anything that needs attention set out clearly.

Full statutory cover

Part of our full LOLER inspection service

Goliath crane is one of the many kinds of equipment we cover. We inspect the full range, across every sector, as an independent provider, one item or a whole site, anywhere in the UK.

See our full LOLER inspection service

Other services

Other statutory inspections we carry out

Many sites run more than one regime. We can examine all of it, under one independent provider.

PUWER inspectionInspection of work equipment against the five PUWER duties, with a written record. PSSR examinationWritten Schemes and certified examination of pressure systems. LEV testingLEV thorough examination and test of your extraction systems.

LOLER FAQs

Goliath crane examination: common questions

How often does a goliath crane need a thorough examination?

At least every 12 months while it lifts goods, or to a written scheme drawn up by a competent person. Arduous outdoor duty, heavy cycles or a history of defects will usually shorten the interval.

Is a goliath crane the same as an overhead travelling crane?

They are close relatives with one crucial difference. An overhead travelling crane runs on elevated runway beams fixed to the building, while a goliath carries its own legs down to floor rails. We examine building mounted cranes under our overhead travelling crane thorough examination service.

Are the floor rails part of the LOLER examination?

Yes. A goliath's safety depends on its installation, so the rails, fixings, gauge and end stops are examined with the crane. A perfect crane on a failing track is still a dangerous installation.

Does a goliath need examining after it is moved or re installed?

Yes. Equipment whose safety depends on installation must be thoroughly examined after each assembly and before use at a new location. Re gauged rails or a re erected frame restart the clock.

What about wind, do you examine storm gear?

On outdoor machines, yes. Storm anchors, rail clamps and parking arrangements are part of keeping the crane safe, and their absence or seizure is reported as a defect.

Do you examine semi goliath cranes as well?

Yes. A semi goliath, with one leg on the floor and one side on an elevated rail, is examined to the same standard, including both running surfaces and the differing wear each produces.

Is the maintenance contract enough to satisfy LOLER?

No. Maintenance and thorough examination are separate duties, and the examiner must be independent enough to give an impartial view. HSE guidance on LOLER sets out the duty, and our LOLER regulations guide explains how the report, the intervals and the defect process work.

How do I book a goliath crane examination?

Call 0330 043 8191 or send the crane details through the contact form. We will arrange the examination around production, including nights or weekends where the crane cannot be released in hours.

Is your goliath crane due a thorough examination?

Talk to an engineer surveyor, get a quote and book your inspection anywhere in the UK.