| Cranes have come a long way from what they | | | | Improvisation is not advised. |
| once were. No longer are they the clunky, rickety | | | | To ensure crane safety, all overhead obstacles |
| machines of the past. Technology has most of all | | | | must be removed for adequate clearance. The |
| improved their speed, strength, and capacity, | | | | crane must be set up on a solid and level surface, |
| over the years, at the same time making them | | | | capable of supporting the equipment and added |
| lighter and easier to operate. Cranes have | | | | payload. Crane use and operation requires |
| become an absolute necessity in several industries. | | | | advanced and careful planning. All tools and |
| They can make your job easier; however, cranes | | | | equipment at the workplace should be placed in an |
| are more commonly the cause of on-the-job | | | | area that is not prone to causing injuries. These |
| accidents than any other heavy equipment. They | | | | tips should not be neglected nor should it be |
| account for more than 20% of all deaths | | | | approached haphazardly. |
| associated with construction jobs. | | | | Crane operation must be closely watched, to |
| The truth is, many of these fatalities are | | | | ensure that plans and procedures are not being |
| preventable. With a little more awareness, proper | | | | modified nor ignored. An unqualified person should |
| equipment maintenance, and less carelessness on | | | | never be allowed to operate the crane. The |
| the job, we might just see a drop in the | | | | operator needs to have adequate training and |
| crane-related deaths. | | | | experience to guarantee crane safety. They |
| Crane safety is a key issue in jobs requiring such | | | | should be well oriented with the equipment, |
| equipment. Job supervisors and crane operators | | | | especially on how to read and use the |
| must be knowledgeable about everything that | | | | instruments and charts, and should also have the |
| concerns the mechanics and functions of their | | | | math skills for calculating the loads. The crane |
| assigned crane. It is highly advisable that everyone | | | | operator needs to have good judgment and an |
| involved in the hands-on use of the crane read | | | | ability to pay attention to detail, since he is the |
| the manual and receive thorough instructions prior | | | | one in charge in deciding when and how to change |
| to using the machine on their own. They also | | | | crane speed and loads based on conditions at the |
| need to be well aware of crane safety and its | | | | site. |
| maintenance. The crane itself must be adequate | | | | If all these conditions are met, the crane will |
| for the task at hand. If your load exceeds the | | | | always remain an important part of the job and |
| crane's weight limit, then you are using the crane | | | | will once again prove to be a safe and efficient |
| in a dangerous manner. This equipment needs to | | | | piece of equipment. |
| be operated as directed by the manufacturer. | | | | |