Crane Inspection Reports
I am working on a
legal case and the subject of how long you keep inspection records came
up. The inspector, a graduate of Crane Institute of America, keeps his
one year and then shreds them because they are no longer valid for anything in
his view. I keep mine (construction) for 5 to 8 years.
Maritime I keep forever. What do you do?
Regards,
Ed
Ed, I was out of town, We do the same, however we did just got rid of 1980's and back and we archived all maritime. I talked to Buttler about this subject when a lawyer wanted our reports far some reason. I told the lawyer the reports belonged to our client, not us, we just house them and will give them to who ever they (our client) they want or if they are ordered by a court. I believe we are required to keep maritime for four years under part 1919, but Buttler feels we should keep them for ever.
See'ya; DJO
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My inspection reports go back 10 years. My problem with shredding them to soon is if a legal problem crops up.
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All our records are computerized. We back-up and store them for ever. Paper field reports are banker boxed, labeled and stored. All records can be retrieved for the customer only, or an order of the court.
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I asked this same question a few years ago to our attorney. He told me it is really an issue of what the statute of limitations is in the state the inspection was done concerning written (non-sealed) contracts. He told me most states have a no more than six year statute of limitations on written contracts although some have up to 10 years.
It is most likely longer than one year in most states. This website lists the statute of limitations by state for various things: http//statuteoflimitations.net/
Correction on link address: http://statuteoflimitations.net/
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In California we are required to keep both on site worksheet and certificate on file for 10 years.
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