Crane 10-year Hydraulic Boom Inspections in Alberta
Posted November 21, 2025
There has been much confusion about what is necessary regarding this topic. We have had numerous clients speculate that since the Z150 code has been revised, the requirements for 10-year boom inspections have changed. However, Alberta still very specifically follows the 1998 version of CSA Z-150, even though there are currently 3 newer versions (2011, 2016, and 2020). The following information should assist in clarifying the requirements for companies wanting to be compliant in Alberta:
In the current Alberta OHS Code, Part 6, Section 88 says "A mobile crane must meet the requirements of CSA Standard CAN/CSA Z150-98". The “-98” on the end of that means the 1998 version, so if you are reading any of the newer versions then what you are reading is technically not relevant to, or compliant with, Alberta law.
In the CSA Z150-98 document, in clause 4.3.2.2 (d) it says that complete structural inspection of a telescopic boom must happen "at any time the boom is disassembled or at a minimum once every 10 years or 10 000 h of service, whichever comes first". In clause 4.3.6 it then defines the complete structural inspection of a telescopic boom as including "nondestructive testing and inspection of interior welds within 1.8m (6 ft) of the base (or tip) of each section of the telescopic boom". In other words, the 1998 version of CSA Z150 is clearly very specific on this topic.
Overview of the 10-year Hydraulic Boom Inspection
Purpose: The inspection aims to find structural defects, such as weld cracks, that can compromise the safety of the crane and are not detectable during regular checks.
Applies to: The requirement applies to most mobile cranes, including commercial truck-mounted, all-terrain, and rough terrain cranes. It does not typically apply to articulating or knuckle-boom cranes, although this is open to interpretation.
Legislation: Newer versions of the CSA Z150 standard have removed the specific requirement for 10-year inspections, opting in favor of simply requiring that you follow the manufacturer’s inspection requirements. Alberta's OHS code still specifically requires you to comply with the older CSA Z150-98 code, which mandates the 10-year inspection. For some added context, the OHS codes in other jurisdictions such as Manitoba and Ontario do indeed reference newer versions of CSA Z150, so if you are talking to someone who claims that 10-year inspections are no longer required, it’s possible that they could be correct…but only if they are operating in a jurisdiction other than Alberta.
The Disassembly and Inspection Process
The 10-year inspection requires the complete disassembly of the telescopic boom.
Disassembly: All boom sections are removed from each other and placed on stands to allow full access for inspection.
Cleaning: All grease and debris must be removed from the boom to ensure a thorough and accurate inspection.
Inspection: A qualified inspector, working under the supervision of an engineer, examines the boom sections. This includes:
Visual inspection of the entire structure.
Non-destructive testing (NDT) of critical areas, particularly the interior welds near the ends of each boom section and on various mounting brackets and/or weldments inside the boom section.
Butt section: The butt section of the boom is also typically removed for a more thorough inspection of the boom and turret pin areas.
Certification: Following a successful inspection, a professional engineer must certify that the crane is in safe working order.
Consequences of non-compliance
Failing to perform the required 10-year boom disassembly inspection can lead to serious consequences, even if there is no direct fine for non-compliance alone. If a crane is involved in an incident and OHS officers from a jurisdiction such as Alberta find that the 10-year inspection was not completed, the owner could face significant penalties for non-compliance.
If ever needing assistance in helping to navigate or interpret what is mandated by the relevant codes per jurisdiction, please feel free to give us a call.