Numerous manufacturing and construction companies optimize overhead cranes to lift and transport materials on and off job sites. When using a crane truck rental, the site engineer must consider many factors, but the most essential and first factor is safety. When installed and used correctly, these systems make operations more accessible and safer. A crane can be one of the most dangerous machines on a construction site, and even one mistake with a crane rental can cost lives, especially when it comes to an error with a heavy load.
Preventing these disasters requires that workers understand certain risks related to operations with cranes and follow safety guides to avoid them. Many accidents involve large lifting systems such as tower cranes and mobile cranes. Also, there are risks associated with all types of cranes, including overhead cranes and all aspects of crane operation.
A study of overhead crane accidents shows some common safety risks that any company using crane rental service should be aware of to protect their work. The most common dangers of using cranes are lack of technical know-how, overloading, electrical hazards, and falling/slipping material from overhead hoists. The following is a guide to staying safe when working with a crane truck rental to understand and frequently practice to avoid a potential accident thoroughly.
4 Outstanding Safety Measures When Working With A Crane Rental Truck
1. Knowing the Site and Its Crane Truck Rental Requirements
Before opting for mobile crane services, either crane truck rental or any other crane, it is highly imperative to know all the job site details. The details include the terrain, layout, weight limits, height distances, and location of any potentially dangerous items such as live power lines. When using a crane rental service, it is necessary to ensure enough space for a crane to maneuver both the truck and the loaded crane without creating a hazard. These will help ensure you have the right tool that suits the job.
Selecting the right crane is the foremost step to safe crane operation. Cranes are mobile or stationary, with stationary cranes typically used in industrial environments or complex or high-rise construction projects. Mobile crane rentals come in many varieties, so be sure to select the right crane for your specific site.
- Carry Deck Cranes: These high mobility cranes are easy to set up and rotate but don’t handle rough terrain well.
- Crawler Crane: Because they use crawlers instead of rubber wheels, crawler cranes are excellent for soft terrain.
- Rough terrain Cranes: Though these types of cranes cannot be driven on public roads, they can handle rugged terrain and slopes on-site well.
- All-terrain cranes: These cranes are very mobile and versatile and have the advantage of moving around construction sites on their own and handling rough terrain once there.
Note that there are diverse crane types to choose from, and it includes some genuinely vast cranes.
2. Study the weather
There is a simple rule of thumb when using cranes in lousy weather: don’t. High winds can shake cranes or their loads, and since cranes are electrically conductive, lightning strikes would be disastrous. Not to mention even a little amount of precipitation can make loads much more challenging to handle and more prone to creep. You should plan the use of your crane for the weather conditions and always be prepared to stop crane operations in the event of an unexpected storm. Even if a delay is a bit expensive, it is too dangerous to risk a weather accident.
Wind can also be a factor in accidents and crane operations. Maximum allowable wind speeds vary depending on the type and configuration of the crane, but low wind speeds are always desirable for elevators. Constantly monitor the weather conditions for any unexpected changes. Unexpected gusts of wind can cause cranes to topple or create stability issues. Stop operations immediately if adverse weather conditions of any kind are forecast or observed nearby.
3. Get a Certified Operator
Although operator certification may not be required in your area, safety-conscious contractors and homeowners would do well to abide by professional standards of operation. After all, a crane can be a lethal weapon in the hands of an unqualified operator. They must train the riggers to configure the crane for the specific load and circumstances.
The mobile crane agency will send crane truck rental operators/workers with the crane in most cases. However, if you provide your labor, ensure they have experience with the equipment and appropriate licenses, permits, and insurance. Never allow an untrained person to operate a crane or any associated equipment.
Safe operation of cranes requires qualified personnel for installation, equipment, signage, and operation. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has regulations requiring trained, certified, and adequately assessed people to operate cranes on job sites. Comply with all rules to ensure that qualified personnel operates the crane rental.
4. Do Thorough Inspection
Perform a pre-operational inspection of the crane rental before each shift. To inspect is to assess the condition of an asset and the environment by the crane operator or user daily for safe performance. This inspection of the condition may also be a legal requirement in your area.
Inspect rigging equipment and check the upper limit switch at the start of each shift. This switch will stop the load lock before building up and damaging the hoist, causing the load to drop when functioning correctly.
Know the location of the track supply disconnector. This is important because if the crane continues on the track after the operator releases the button on the remote control, the operator will quickly reach for the switch to cut off the power and avoid a runaway of the crane.
The $2.3M Industry Lesson
Never be complacent or negligent in observing crane safety and operating procedures. Almost two-thirds of crane accidents, 74%, occur during routine operations.
According to the OSHA, around 37% of crane accident injuries are related to load swing, load falling, or unstable load. The most important advice of all is: never stand under a crane load. 42% of crane related fatalities occured from falling objects. Ensuring proper rigging and enhacing your safety procures can prevent many of these costly and dangerous situations from arising. Enhacements to crane safety procusred should include, but not limited to, sway control, hook centering, and snag prevention.
