Approximately 3 million workers were injured or suffered from an illness in the construction industry in 2018. This showcases the importance of following safety procedures.
Below we’ll review some crane safety tips to help reduce the number of injured employees at worksites.
1. Inspect the Crane
Before operating a crane, it needs a thorough inspection. Review your safety checklist/card to make sure all safety procedures are followed.
Inspect the components of the crane and cables for any damage (e.g., cracks, worn down parts). If there is damage, you’ll need to get the crane repaired before you can operate it.
Make sure it’s the right crane for the job. Each type of crane can hold a different amount of weight.
Check the load weight capacity for your lift to make sure it can handle whatever you’re lifting. If you don’t, the crane could tip if you try to pick up too much weight.
Find out when the last time your crane was inspected. If the annual inspection is overdue, don’t operate the crane until it has been done.
2. Familiarize Yourself With the Controls
Once you’ve been adequately trained and certified, it’s essential to know what you’re working with.
After you’ve inspected the crane, you’ll need to test it to make sure all the controls are working. This is especially important if it’s your first time operating a particular crane.
Learn where all the controls are as not every crane keeps the controls in the same location. You should test the controls every day to ensure everything is in working order.
3. Examine the Worksite
Ensure all workers know when and where the crane will be operated. Before you begin working, do a scan of the area to make sure no one is in the area.
Furthermore, you should check the weather conditions. How you operate the crane, or if you can use the crane, will be determined by the weather (e.g., rain, high winds).
Next, you’ll want to inspect the ground. Make sure whatever surface you’re working on can handle the weight of the crane.
Check the soil to make sure your crane won’t sink. If you’re on another surface material (e.g., concrete or asphalt), make sure it won’t break under the weight. Don’t just check the weight of the crane, learn if the surface can handle the force of the outriggers.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure there are no obstructions in the air (e.g., cables/wires). You don’t want anything attaching to the load while you’re working.
4. Don’t Rush
Make sure there is enough time to inspect the equipment, the worksite, and get the job done. Moreover, when operating the crane, don’t make quick movements. You could end up dropping the load all over the place.
Rushing or flying objects can increase the chance of someone getting injured.
5. Be Alert
Always pay attention to the surrounding area and know where everyone is. Be in radio contact with everyone. If you can’t get in contact with people, try using an air horn or hand signals to alert others in the area.
Check with OSHA’s guidelines on how to communicate.
Furthermore, remove all distractions while you work. At no point should you eat or drink (especially alcohol), talk on the phone, smoke, or be under the influence of drugs.
Crane Safety
Now that you know more about crane safety, it’s time to use these tips the next time you work. Spend ample time making sure everything is working correctly. This will create a safer environment that will help keep your workers safe and happy.
Review our services if your cranes require repairs.