As an employer your staff look to you not only for direction, but to keep them safe as well. According to the HSW, since 2001, tower cranes have been involved in more than sixty accidents, leaving nine dead, and 25 with serious injuries.

 

While there’s no substitute for a dedicated training class and some injuries simply can’t be avoided, it’s imperative that as an employer you do everything in your power to reduce the chances; and that means keeping up to date on crane safety. Here are seven things to keep in mind.

 

 Training

There’s simply no substitute for proper employee safety training. With the proper skills and knowledge, operators will be significantly less likely to cause accidents. System and height judgement, light/hand signals, system assessments, and operational parameters are all necessary to ensure successful and safe crane operation.

 

Lifting Operation Plans

In order to carry out safe lifting it is essential you to plan all operations in advance. This way, you can evaluate risks, and avoid dangerous mistakes. Your planner should have a mix of theoretical and practical knowledge, as well as an understanding of the specific lifts you’re undertaking.

 

Your plan should include:

– A risk assessment, and the risks identified therein

– The resources required

– Responsibilities and procedures

 

Lifting Supervision

A crane supervisor should be directing and supervising all lifting operations; if it seems risky, then the crane supervisor needs to intervene; stopping operation until it can be safely resumed.

 

Authorised Duty

A crane shouldn’t be operated by any unauthorized individuals; if your operator doesn’t have the training and experience necessary to handle the equipment, you’re practically inviting disaster.

 

Set Lifting Limits

Cranes have a maximum weight capacity. It should go without saying, but never, under any circumstances, should you lift beyond the crane’s capacity.

 

Surface Levelling

Cranes are often deployed to sites with uneven surfaces. Before lifting, it’s imperative to level the surface as much as you can, ensuring secure and safe operation of the crane.

 

Prior Inspections

Every day, you should inspect the construction site before conducting activities, and report any unusual developments. Check the cables and booms for deformities and cracks, go over the bolts, pins, controls, outriggers, and signal lights. Catching risks before they become serious problems is the single best way to prevent accidents; so if something needs repairing do not hesitate.

 

Again, there’s no substitute for professional training. At Pro Trainers UK you can address all your training needs; not just for cranes, but heavy machinery of all types.