Supervision and careful planning are two vital components for successful lift operations. Lift planning represents an integral part of the construction process and helps lower the costs, boost worker productivity, and increase worker safety. According to Live Science, the real danger doesn’t come from the cranes themselves but rather from a poorly developed lift plan.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at a few considerations supervisors and managers must take into account in order to create an effective lift plan.
Know Your Limitations
Before any specifics are laid down, supervisors must first assess whether they have the proper equipment and qualified in-house staff to plan and gather the crew necessary for a safe lift. The supervisor or manager who heads the entire project must be qualified enough to lead the project. By “qualified enough” we mean holding the appropriate degree, possessing technical knowledge, having undergone extensive training alongside years of practical experience.
Select the Right Crane
After considering the location and load of the crane, the appropriate load-handling equipment is selected. For instance, if the ground conditions are soft and unstable and the crane is required to operate for a considerable period then a crawler crane would be the best option.
The person in charge of making this choice must be knowledgeable regarding the limitations and capacity of each crane, the crane’s maximum load, the different tasks the crane can perform, the weight and dimensions of the crane, and the crane’s ground-bearing pressures. Also, the qualified person must be aware of any limitations or restrictions placed on crane operations within the area.
Understand the Work Environment
Understanding the work environment requires multiple visits to the worksite instead of relying on assumptions and estimations with regards to the site’s conditions. Visiting the site helps managers gain useful information needed to ensure whether the ground conditions can support the weight of the crane and if the lift can be made from a specific point. Existing or future hazards should also be taken into account such as strong winds, rains, snow, or excessive heat and dust.
Select the Right Equipment
Selecting the right accessories and rigging gear is just as important as selecting the right crane and visiting the worksite. Commonly used equipment includes pin shackles, wire rope slings, single chain slings, round endless slings, fiber flat belts, multiple-leg slings, and eyebolts to name a few. The equipment must be in the best working conditions and free from any faults or defects.
These are a few considerations operation managers must take into accounting when developing an effective lift plan. Crane Warning Systems Atlanta provides businesses with crane warning systems that assist in reducing the number of crane-related accidents in the workplace. Contact us today for more information.