Crane Safety Hazards and Control Measures

Crane Safety Hazards and Control Measures

Crane Safety Hazards and Control Measures

Crane Safety

It is an important step for the employer to organize a crane safety program to avoid hazards while using cranes at the workplace.

Under this program, a special discussion is held on identifying all the possible hazards related to cranes and how to reduce them.

Workplace safety is very important during the use of crane inside any organization, because accidents related to crane can be more frightening. That’s why there are some major areas that must be included in the crane safety plan.

Types of Crane at Construction Site

Mainly five types of crane are used on the working site which are as follows.

1) Crawler Crane with Fixed Boom

2) Mobile Crane

3) Rough Terrain Crane

4) Tower Crane

5) Floating Crane

Common Crane Hazards

During the crane safety toolbox talk, the Crane Operator or those working around it should be told what is normal during crane operation. If the people working there know about the possible dangers or risks, then every person working there will see who is taking what steps to avoid the dangers.

Here we are going to know about some such crane hazards which usually occur during crane operation. How frequent and how serious these accidents can be, it cannot be imagined before work.

1. Electrical Hazards

Crane is used at a higher height, so the possibility of hitting the crane with the electrical power line is more. If the crane accidentally collides with the power line, a more dangerous situation can arise at the workplace.

Since the crane is made of metal, there is a strong possibility of current flow in it after hitting the power line.

Therefore, whenever the crane is being operated at the workplace, the operator should always keep in mind that where the power line is and at what distance from it. Slight negligence of the operator can prove to be more fatal.

2. Material Falling

Whatever load is lifted with care, there is a need to secure that load properly. But when the load is lifted safely, it does not amount to negligence, because even when the load is safe, there is a risk of falling.

Whenever any material is being lifted through the crane, the operation of the work being done around the crane should be stopped and this area should be barricaded where the material is being lifted and come there. Going should be banned completely.

3. Overloading

Crane can lift loads that you may be surprised to see. But this does not mean that he can carry as much weight as he wants. He also has an ability to carry loads. Crane operator should know that what is the load capacity of the crane he is operating? That is, how much load can he handle.

If a crane is overloaded, that is, lifting more than its capacity, then it can overturn or the load can fall, which can have a disastrous result.

4. Crane Movement (Pinch Point)

The purpose of lifting the load from the crane is to shift it from one place to another, that is, to move it, during the operation of this work, the crane is folded with the load. During this time, if caution is not taken, it can become a crush or pinch point and there can be a serious danger to the person who comes in the grip.

5. Dropped Loads

If the load hanging on the crane falls down, then whatever is below it will be shattered. Any object that holds more weight can badly damage any object if it falls from above. Therefore, even if you have used PPE, then stop the work around it. Because PPE is not meant to prevent such accidents.

6. Inadequate Ground Preparation

Cranes require a solid and stable foundation to operate safely.

If the operation of the crane is done on soft ground, then the crane may overturn.

Mobile crane is being operated on this hilly site, so it can slide or tip.

7. Poor Visibility

Whatever crane is being operated at the workplace, its safety completely depends on high visibility.

If the operator does not see the load, then the hook may contact with the boom tip and this situation will cause load fall, due to which the workers present there may be injured.

If the operator is unable to see them while rotating the super structure, then there is a possibility of the workers getting trapped in the pinch point.

Crane Safety Precautions

Before installing the crane, the condition of the ground should be checked and if it is not level, then it should be started there only after leveling it.

Spread mate is used in the size of 1:2.

The outrigger of the crane should be fully extended, its distance from the manhole and trenches should be at 1 meter.

Never lift overload from Crane, always use SWL (Safe Working Load).

Whenever there is strong wind or rain, the crane should never be operated.

The crane is to be utilized up to 75% of its capacity.

As far as the swinging area of the crane is concerned, barricading should be done and except the certified rigger, no other person should be allowed inside the barricading.

Rigger should wear florescent jacket.

Allow only the rigger to signal to the crane operator.

A minimum of two tag lines should be used to control the swinging of the load.

If the load is suspended, no one should be allowed to go under or near it, even if it is a rigger.

Crane should have reverse horn.