Important Mistakes to Avoid When Working With Cranes

Important Mistakes to Avoid When Working With Cranes


 

Alturnamats

As with any piece of heavy equipment, cranes should be handled only by experienced operators who are aware of all the safety regulations. Despite that, mistakes are still made. Whether it’s during crane setup or operation, here are a few crucial mistakes to avoid when working with cranes.
No Inspection
Even if you’ve set up the same outrigger pads a thousand times before, operating any machinery without properly inspecting it first. If a part is damaged or not working properly and you start the machine anyway, you could be in for some seriously unsafe construction work. For example, without properly placed and functioning ground mats, your crane may not be working on a stable surface and could experience severe issues during operation. So you should always make it a point not only to perform routine maintenance on your equipment, but also give it a thorough inspection before you get it up and running.
Too Close to Electrical Lines
OSHA standards dictate that certain types of equipment must adhere to minimum distances of at least 10 feet from overhead lines. Even if you have rubber ground protection mats, it’s important to take electrical lines into account when you’re doing crane work. Almost half of overhead crane accidents happen when they come into contact with electrical lines. It might be important to inspect your equipment before you operate, but it’s equally important to pay attention to and inspect the area around your equipment, as well.
Overloading the Crane
IF you overload your washing machine with clothes, it’s not going to run properly. While a bit different from a washing machine, the same holds true for any piece of heavy equipment. Before operating, you should know the limits of your ground mats, crane, and any other equipment you’re using. The vast majority of structural failures are due to overloading on cranes, which is a frightening statistic.
In order to prevent terrible accidents from happening, you should be sure to avoid these three mistakes. Completing all of the proper work before operation could save someone’s life.