Cranes are essential pieces of equipment across a range of industries, ideal for lifting and moving heavy loads for a variety of purposes. Crane operation can also be dangerous, with statistics showing us that there was an average of 42 crane-related deaths in the United States each year between 2011 and 2017.
Crane operation safety is paramount to avoid worker injuries and fatal accidents. With proper use, cranes can significantly speed up construction projects and industry operations. In this blog post, we will highlight some top crane operator tips to ensure that cranes are safely utilized on-site.
Perform Daily Operator Checks
If you are a crane operator, it is essential that you perform a daily inspection to ensure that the crane is safe. This should include pre-start checks, engine start-up checks, and safety system checks. These checks will confirm that the crane’s basic features are in working order, the crane is ready for operation, and that fail-safes are in place to prevent any accidents.
Choose the Right Crane for the Project
There are many different types of cranes and you should select the most suitable crane for your specific project. There is no point in choosing a tower crane for a very small project, for example. Fixed cranes like tower cranes are most suited to complex and tall construction projects.
Mobile cranes include carry desk cranes, rough-terrain cranes, and all-terrain cranes. Choosing the right type will help to ensure worker safety on the job.
Always Read Operator Manuals
Cranes from different manufacturers will be different from each other and have unique controls and features. Therefore, it’s important to always ensure that the operator has a strong understanding of the specific crane that is being used.
The operator’s manual contains important information about the crane. This includes safety mechanisms, load capacities, operator controls, and stabilizers, and counterweights.
Communication Is Key
There are specific hand signals that can be used to oversee the correct and safe operation of a crane. These hand signals communicate the following:
- The direction of travel of the crane
- When to stop the crane
- When to swing and lift the boom
- When to hoist and lower the load
Radios may also be used to ensure that everyone is in communication with each other during the operation of the crane. It is useful to set out communication plans in advance so that everyone is on the same page.
Important Tips for Safe Crane Operation
Cranes are wonderfully useful and efficient pieces of equipment that are essential to modern construction and manufacturing industries. However, they are also potentially dangerous when not properly utilized. The above tips are designed to ensure safe crane operation, allowing workers and the public to remain safe.
Everything Cranes is your No. 1 source for quality informational articles about cranes and related heavy equipment. Click here to learn more about how to ensure safety when operating a crane.
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