Cranes

 

Cranes are one of the most versatile, powerful and important pieces of equipment commonly found on construction sites. They can be used to accomplish a lot of heavy lifting tasks, saving the amount of time and energy spent on a project. However, they can also be one the most dangerous pieces of equipment on site. They can lift heavy loads over large areas of a project, require workers to perform work at great heights and pose the risk of electrocution.

Workers whose jobs involve working with and around cranes need to understand the hazards of moving parts and rigging of loads. Hazards relating to this type of equipment can include:

  
• Striking injuries from moving equipment, raising or dropped loads

 
• Crushing injuries from equipment overturning, breaking or rigging failures 

• Falls from performing work at heights 

• Electrocution from contact with overhead power lines

There are many different types of cranes which play an important role in lifting heavy loads. No matter which piece of equipment is being used, below are some general safety rules regarding the maintenance and operation of cranes.

Equipment Maintenance 

• Both the employer and the supplier have a responsibility to ensure that every hoist, crane and lifting device, including all rigging, used or supplied for use at a place of employment is designed, installed, maintained and operated to perform safely any task for which the equipment is used. 

• Inspections must be completed, and any defects properly repaired before the equipment is used.

 
• Structural components of the equipment must be working properly. If the equipment is not in good condition, worn out or over stressed, or if a cable or sling is overloaded, the load may drop. Power lines must be located and barricades or signs should be posted to ensure minimum distance is maintained (20 feet for power lines up
to 350kv).

Equipment Operations

 
• Crane operators of most cranes above 2,000 lb. capacity will need to be either certified by an accredited crane operator testing organization, or qualified through an audited employer program. 

• Operators must ensure all safety system indicators are functioning properly and enabled at all times.

• Inspection and logbooks must be completed daily.

 
• Equipment must not be overloaded. Operators must refer to a crane’s load chart to understand the capacities of the crane they are operating.

  
• Avoid lifting loads above workers or the public. Workers can be hit by a load, dropped or suspended, if working under or near a load. It is very important workers pay attention around crane operations, obey all warning signs and stay out of way of moving parts.


Rigging and Signaling

 
• Any workers rigging loads for a crane must be qualified. A qualified rigger is defined as a "qualified person" who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve/resolve problems relating to rigging.

 
• Any workers signaling cranes also must be qualified by a "qualified evaluator". Qualification can be either through a third-party qualified evaluator (such as an accredited certification body) or through an employer’s qualified evaluator. All signal persons must be qualified and tested through a written or oral test and a practical test, and the qualification must be documented.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.assuranceagency.com