Safety Guidance for Operating Construction Crane

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Shell Petrochemical Plant under construction in Beaver County Pa., Crowded with Cranes. Aug 2019

Operating Heavy machine is no joke. If anything goes wrong, it can claim lives. 

So, as a crane operator, you should make sure the whole operations go smoothly. Following, we are giving you a few safety tips to help you out!

What You Need to Know

Tower and mobile cranes are useful for different construction scenarios. But they do present a few hazards like:

Collapse: Crane collapse are unfortunate events that may lead to severe (even fatal) injuries to both workers and bystanders.

Load Falling or Line Snapping: As tower cranes are high, there is a possibility that high winds or tight spaces can make the load fall. This is a great danger for everyone on the ground level.

Lack of Communication or Awareness: These can lead to incidents where people can be hit by moving loads, or worse cranes meet overhead electrical wires.

In most cases, the crane operator, or supervisor is held responsible. Both are responsible for the safety of lifting operations. When a crane operator is hired, they are the ones who plan, supervise, and carry out lifting operations without any hurdle. These things are mentioned in the contract. 

The issue is, most times constructions companies hire people who have no skills and experience of operating such heavy machinery. This slight mistake ends up costing them a fortune.

Planning the Lifting Operation

Before you start working, make sure all safety operations are planned, use a smart crane hook to make sure the load is under the maximum capacity of the line. Also, you must address the possible risk and safety precautions to bystanders and employees. The supervising overlooking this operation better have both practical and theoretical knowledge of lifting operating.

Before you start working, it’s better if you do a quick risk assessment, it will help you evaluate the resources needed for this job, setting up a safety procedure and assigning responsibilities to your crew. Make sure the supervisor verifies the lifting operating before anything. 

Safety Operations

The crane operating should plan the lifting operations carefully and assure everyone else is safe. A safety plan uses a safe work system that must be written down in case the jo is a bit complex. The record is called  “Method Statement,” while crane operator is responsible for assuring everyone understands this. This method consists of the following elements:

· Planning details like the site review, prep work, assemble and dismantle the crane

· Finding the proper equipment. You must find the right work equation including the signs and signalling tools

· Take proper care of the equipment. You should carry out scheduled maintenance and have a plan to address potential issues in the future. You better document the process and leave it for examination in the future. It can save your skin 

· Assure all safety measures are in place. This makes sure the general public and employees are safe shall anything go wrong. It helps you to limit the damage to a bare minimum 

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