Cranes are some of the most commonly used machinery on construction sites. They are handy for lifting and transporting heavy loads from one place to another.
However, they can also be extremely dangerous and require great caution and expertise to be safe and efficient. Here’s a brief guide to maximizing crane operation safety:
What are the dangers of crane operations?
Loads falling: Cranes used at greater heights are subject to a higher risk of loads falling, mainly due to high wind pressure and the load being further from the center of gravity of the crane. This can lead to catastrophic damage and injuries.
Poor handling: There’s not much room for error when it comes to crane operations. Inefficient handling or lack of concentration can lead to disastrous accidents or injuries.
Overloading: Lifting excessive loads or poor condition of the crane itself can compromise the structural integrity of the crane. This can cause the crane to tip over or collapse the boom.
How to maximize crane operations safety?
Start with a plan
It’s critical to check the structural integrity of the crane, review load weight capacity, take into account the wind speed, and other safety measures before commencing each lift.
The supervisors, crane operators, and other construction workers should also be part of the process.
This will ensure you’ve covered all the possibilities and result in more comprehensive planning.
Hire a competent operator
The safety of crane operations is highly dependent on the person who is running the machine.
Poor handling of the machine can lead to severe consequences in the form of injuries and property damage.
A certified and competent crane operator will follow best practices and safety standards, which will minimize the chances of errors or mistakes.
On the other hand, an incompetent and unqualified crane operator is likely to exercise poor judgment and make errors.
Plan for swing
A swing radius is an arc or area that the counterweight and boom can move within.
It’s critical to make sure that the specific arc within the radius is barricaded, and obstacles in the area are completely removed to prevent accidents.
Effective communication
Maintain effective communication among the operator and workers at the construction site, especially when making heavy lifts.
It’s critical to follow OSHA safety guidelines and make sure that the lifting instructions are properly communicated.
Two-way radios can be a great tool to maintain an effective channel of communication.
Final words
Construction workers around a crane are at risk of injury. And most crane accidents are caused by inadequate planning and poor preparation.
More often than not, crane hazards can be avoided using proper crane safety equipment and following the best practices.
Buy Quality Crane Safety Equipment
At Crane Warning Systems Atlanta, we provide a wide selection of top-quality crane safety equipment, including ATB warning systems, load indicator, wireless crane wind speed indicators, LMI, RCI, and more. We’re the top RaycoWylie distributer in the United States that specializes in crane safety instrumentation. To learn more about our products, call us at 1-877-672-2951.
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