Cranes play a crucial role in the construction industry.
From transporting equipment to lifting heavy materials, cranes are used in a variety of operations to facilitate faster and safer operations.
However, there is always a significant risk of accidents during crane operations.
The key to minimizing the risk of these accidents is to understand the hazards and take safety measures to prevent them from taking place.
In our last “Starting a Construction Business” blog, we talked about crane capacity indicators and their role in improving safety at construction sites.
In this blog, we’re going to discuss three common crane hazards and how to prevent them.
Let’s get started!
Common Crane Hazards
Overloading
Overload is one of the most dangerous hazards that cause most crane accidents every year in the United States.
Exceeding the rated capacity can cause considerable damage to the crane, often resulting in a crane accident with damage to equipment and personnel.
Damage to the structural integrity of the crane can render it useless and halt operations. More importantly, it can also cause injury to crane workers or nearby personnel.
Overloading does not occur only due to handling a heavier weight than capacity; dragging or swinging the load or side-loading a boom can also cause hazardous conditions.
Falling Materials
Falling materials are another hazard that leads to crane-related injuries and fatalities at job sites. It’s often caused due to operator incompetence or lack of judgment.
However, the material can also fall from the crane due to mechanical failure, poor movement of materials, and obstructed views in narrow spaces.
READ: FALLING OBJECTS – CRANES
Fortunately, the risk of falling materials can be significantly reduced by ensuring careful operations and proper training for crane operators.
Most, if not all, causes of falling materials can be avoided through the careful operation of the crane, which is facilitated by employing well-trained and qualified crane operators.
Poor maintenance and lack of safety equipment
Cranes and other load-bearing machinery are used to lift heavy materials regularly. Sustaining heavy impacts over time results in significant wear and tear.
Not maintaining the equipment can lead to permanent damage to structural components, which heighten the risk of accidents, particularly when it comes to tower cranes.
It’s crucial to perform regular maintenance, so cranes are in proper working order to avoid injuries and fatalities.
Moreover, equipping cranes with safety equipment like ATB warning systems, load indicators, and CCS cameras can also help combat the crane hazards.
Partner With Crane Warning System Atlanta
At Crane Warning Systems Atlanta, we offer a variety of crane safety equipment, including ATB warning systems, crane anemometer, wireless wind speed indicators, load indicators, LMI and RCI, camera equipment, and more. As a leading high-end crane safety instrumentation provider and top RaycoWylie distributer in the United States, we understand the crane hazards and help you to avoid them. To find out more, call us at 1-877-672-2951.
Learn more about crane load monitoring system
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