Specification puts service business on formal footing

The Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) is producing an industry standard for inspection and maintenance of overhead travelling cranes.

The CMAA's crane servicing committee has been working on the draft since early 2000 and it is finally scheduled in the first three months of next year.

Production of 'CMAA Specification 78: Standards and guidelines for professional services performed on overhead travelling cranes' was driven by the rapid realisation of the huge potential size of the inspection and maintenance market in the USA. Scope of work for this market has never been formally defined and CMAA perceived that there was a need to set down clear guidelines to help both clients and service contractors understand what constitutes good practice and good value.

Publication of Spec 78 is described by CMAA as recognisition that servicing EOT cranes is now an industry in its own right.

CMAA represents companies building overhead cranes in the USA. It is affiliated to Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA).