7 Safety Tips For Mobile Crane Operation
The mobile crane is a highly versatile piece of equipment that immensely aids the construction of large projects. The ability of mobile cranes to lift and move large loads efficiently is critical in modern construction projects. Nonetheless, operating mobile cranes will necessitate their use in a safe environment to reduce the risk of potentially serious injuries or even death.
When using mobile cranes in a construction project, everyone involved, especially the crane operator and other on-site contractors, should be aware of the safety precautions at all times. With that said, here are several safety tips to keep in mind to ensure safe and efficient mobile crane operations.
Conduct On-Site Inspection For Hazards
Although you may be able to identify potential hazards from the site plans and initial inspections, it may not ensure you’ll determine them all.
Throughout the construction or demolition project, expect new hazards to arise. A daily hazard assessment of the work area is one method of ensuring the safety of the crane operator, workers, and the general public.
Watch Out For Electrical Hazards
Almost half of the mobile crane mishaps occur while an operating machine touches a power source directly, such as overhead wires.
It’s more likely to occur when the crane lifts objects near energized electrical lines. The hoist line or the boom can directly strike it. The crane operator or a ground worker could be electrocuted in such cases.
Proper planning can help to avoid this mishap. Co-workers should be nearby as the crane operator handles the crane to help evaluate whether the machinery will go beneath power lines at the site.
Make it a priority to inform the power company to de-energize the lines for the whole project duration. However, this is one of the first tasks to do before the project can begin.
- Keep An Eye Out For High Wind Conditions
When unexpected gusts arise, it can result in accidents such as load dropping and mobile cranes toppling. It’s important to note that the maximum wind speeds a mobile crane can withstand will vary, and you can find wind speed information on the crane’s load charts.
It’s best to postpone lifting activities if the wind speeds range between 15-20 miles per hour. Wind speeds exceeding 20 miles per hour would necessitate the cancellation of lift projects.
Make it a priority to monitor the weather conditions continuously for unexpected changes, especially if strong winds are likely. Operations should stop immediately if adverse weather of any kind is forecast or seen nearby.
- Comply With Health And Safety Regulations
Today, most projects involving mobile cranes will require pre-start checklists, a safe work management system, and the required permits and supporting documents. Complying with these prerequisites is necessary to ensure the construction project is legal and meets safety standards. After all, these regulations were created to prevent accidents from occurring during construction projects.
- Examine The Ground Conditions
The stability of the mobile crane is crucial to ensure safe operations on the work site. With this in mind, the ground conditions will be critical in stabilizing the mobile crane. Using cribbing and pads will help ensure the stability of the equipment throughout the project.
- Ensure Worker Safety
Undergoing regular maintenance to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the crane is a priority. But you also have to guarantee construction site safety measures for crane operators and workers.
One of the ways to maintain a safe work environment is to enforce wearing highly-visible clothing and the appropriate safety equipment. Additionally, it’s also crucial to have guidelines to deal with work-related accidents that may happen on-site.
- Follow A Specific Lift Plan
Some common accidents involving mobile cranes include overturns and loss of load. Excessive load chart limits or improper rigging are the most common causes.
The best way to prevent crane-related accidents is to avoid exceeding the maximum load capacity guidelines for the lift configuration. Additionally, make it a priority to ensure the proper positioning of all loads on the centre and place slings to ensure they stay secured and balanced. Use taglines to control the swing and rotation of the load if necessary.
The ideal lift plan should outline the items to be moved, clearly describing each item’s weight, the centre of gravity, and dimensions. Furthermore, it’s also vital to indicate the presence of any potentially hazardous materials, the rigging to use, and safety measures.
Final Thoughts
The best way to ensure mobile crane safety is strict observance of safety protocols at the work site. Aside from these insightful safety tips, taking a proactive approach with timely preventative maintenance is crucial to avoid potential breakdowns and repairs. Proper safety preparations will ensure a smooth flow of operations while keeping everyone in the workplace safe.
