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Crane Operation Safety: How to Safeguard Your Worksite

Author • Dec 26, 2022

Crane use in worksites can create hazardous situations when the owner and operators do not exercise caution. Worksite managers and personnel must establish safety precautions when they operate a crane to ensure that they do not cause injuries or damage to the workers or property. Here are some tips on how you can create a safe worksite while using a crane.

Inspect the Crane Before Use

Before your workers operate the crane, assess the integrity of all systems. Check the brakes, boom splices, and braces for any signs of damage that might drop the load under operation. Examine the controls to ensure it does not struggle to lift and maintain loads while lifting. Also, investigate the level of the crane fluids, like the fuel and brake fluid. Ensure that you top them up before you start the crane.

Finally, check the crane structure for any signs of weakness. You should be more vigilant if your crane has operated in extreme environments like steel manufacturing plants. The intense heat in these sites can degrade their structures faster.

Establish Operation Standards and Protocols

Every crane comes with instructions on how to operate it and the necessary conditions to clear the inspection checklist. You should read and understand the instruction manual even if you or your operator have any prior information about cranes.

Exercise worksite safety protocols while you use the crane. All personnel should wear personal protective equipment while the operator uses the crane. Also, the operator should not use a mobile phone, as it can distract them from the current conditions of their worksite.

Operators should not abuse the crane. Do not hang any loads overnight. Also, do not override the control system in the crane.

Ensure Sufficient Clearance

All the workers who are near the site of the crane should work in tandem with the operators to avoid any mishaps. When the operator lifts the load, they should ensure that no one is directly underneath it. Thus, they should confirm with spotters or traffic controllers as they lift and then bring down the crane's boom.

An additional consideration is overhead obstacles that might create unexpected risks for operators and site workers. For example, a crane operating near electrical lines might create a hazard if the operator is unaware of the crane's position. If you can, disable the electricity in that area while operating the crane. If you cannot, work with spotters to ensure the crane remains safe from the lines.

Use Someone Who Is Proficient

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) created a system to test and certify crane operators. Thus, the operator you want to work with should receive full certification from this organization to ensure they understand the rules and guidelines to safely operate cranes.

For example, the operator should know how to position the boom while they lift loads horizontally. They should also understand how the boom and counterweight swing as well as be able to compensate for unexpected swings outside the arc. Finally, they should be patient with the crane to avoid wild swings that could destabilize it.

Plan How You Will Use the Crane

Understand how your team will use the crane for the day. Figure out the load capacity and plan how the operator will move the load to the designated position. Also, assess the operating conditions of the environment before you hire and deploy a crane. For example, rough conditions will require rough-terrain cranes. These factors will determine how you prepare the crane for its workload.

Contact us at 3-B Welding LLC to rent a mobile crane for your worksite today. We offer crane rental services for groups within or near the Zanesville area.

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Mobile Cranes - New Concord, OH - 3-B Welding LLC

Mobile Cranes Offer Versatility and Efficiency for Your Next Project

15 Aug, 2023

Is your company working on a project where you need to lift something that is immensely heavy or especially oversized? Fixed cranes have long been a go-to piece of equipment for construction companies, outdoor warehouses, and many other types of businesses. But what if you need the ability to move the crane around the work site or lift something on rough terrain? Mobile cranes are growing in popularity due to the benefits they can provide. A mobile crane is much smaller than a typical fixed crane but still capable of providing immense lifting power. Learn why opting for a mobile crane rental for your next project might be the right move. Get Started Quickly When you install a fixed crane on a work site, you will often need to clear the entire area in order to ensure it can be put into place without bumping into any other nearby equipment or causing a safety issue for workers. The crane itself will be brought in using other heavy equipment or heavy-duty vehicles. The setup process is deliberate and will take some time. You will still want to follow basic safety protocols with a mobile crane, of course, but the ability to simply drive the crane to exactly where it needs to be can speed things up. A mobile crane can be fixed to the back of a much smaller vehicle, and you can move it around quickly. This will let you start your project faster. Work in Tight Spaces A fixed crane might be too big to have any chance of getting into the right position, but a mobile crane's smaller footprint could be the perfect fit. Mobile cranes are also ideal for rough terrain where it would be dangerous to try and operate a fixed crane. Transport Easily to Job Sites If your construction company or other business needs to regularly use a crane, going with a mobile crane will make transportation between job sites easier. A large, fixed crane will need to keep special considerations in mind like following traffic laws in regards to oversized loads, but a mobile crane that is placed onto the back of a pickup can be driven with fewer concerns. Have Impressive Lifting Power It might be smaller, but it packs a lot of power into that small footprint. It is possible today to get a mobile crane rental capable of lifting a significant amount of weight. You could look into a crane rental that can handle 15, 30 or even 50 tons without issue. Have a Safer Work Environment You will always want to be mindful of any kind of crane while it is in operation. But a mobile crane's smaller footprint means that fewer people on the work site will have to be alert. A mobile crane can be positioned not only to make the lift easier but to make sure it is always out of the way of other equipment and your employees as much as possible. Make the Cost-Effective Choice Mobile cranes cost less than fixed cranes while still getting the job done. A mobile crane rental is a smart financial move if you will only need it every once in a while instead of all the time. The versatility and efficiency mobile cranes provide can help streamline your next project. 3-B Welding, LLC., has served Ohio as a family-owned and-operated business since 2001. We offer mobile crane rentals for those who need a lift to get their next project over the finish line. Our experienced welders and metal workers can provide further assistance for your business as needed. Contact us today to discuss your options.