Crane Safety Tips to Prevent Accidents
BigRentz recently shared an excellent list of 11 Crane Safety Tips to Prevent Accidents. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 297 deaths involving cranes from 2011 to 2017.
Among the Safety Tips for safe crane operations noted is the need to stabilize the crane. Many accidents and tip overs are due to improper outrigger set up. It is critically important to stabilize cranes before use, and making a solid safety assessment is essential.
The minimum approach is to “always use outrigger pads or crane pads under outriggers.” Making your setup safe setup is DICA’s primary mission and our engineered outrigger pads, crane pads and cribbing blocks have become the industry standard for safety and performance.
In addition to stabilizing the crane it is also critical to rig the load correctly in order to prevent objects from falling and potentially striking personnel or bystanders.
Our LiftGuard Magnetic Sling Protectors attach to the load and are specifically designed to protect slings from sharp edges and abrasion. Protecting slings and loads with LiftGuard virtually eliminates the chances of rigging failure due to cutting or abrasion.
For more Safe Set-Up Tips, continue reading below, check out the full article at BigRentz or our 10 tips for safe setup.
Carefully Stabilize Crane Before Rigging
Mobile cranes use outriggers or other stabilizing features to prevent the crane from tipping over during operation. When stabilizing the crane, keep the following in mind:
- Follow manufacturer guidelines to determine how far to extend outriggers.
- Always use outrigger pads or crane pads underneath outriggers.
- Never place outriggers over voids, depressions or unsteady ground.
Many crane accidents and tip-overs occur due to improper outrigger set up, so be certain that you’ve made a solid safety assessment of outrigger placement.
Rig the Load Correctly
Proper rigging of loads prevents objects from falling and potentially striking workers on the site. When rigging a load, take note of the following considerations:
- Hitching: It’s possible to attach slings to a load in a variety of ways, so consider the object being lifted as well as the weight distribution of the object. Basket hitching and choker hitching are two of the most common hitch configurations.
- Sling angle: Whenever an angle other than vertical is used, additional forces are induced on the slings, reducing their overall weight capacity. Make sure to use slings that are properly rated not only for the weight but also for the weight at a particular angle.
A complete understanding of force, weight distributions, and rigging techniques will ensure a safe, stable lift of even the most irregular and heavy loads.