Operating cranes Safety

Mobile crane safety

Common Failures in Cranes:-

Types of Error in operating cranes

• 1) Human Error.
• 2) Machine Error.
• 90% of failure occur due to human error.
• The failures that occur due to human error for the following unsafe practices.

SAFETY IN USE OF MOBILE CRANES / operating cranes

Watch Your Clearance during operating cranes

• Clear work area.
• Proper clearance from m/c, boom or load.
• Vision should not be obscured.
• Blow horn to signal or warn.
• Understanding of signals.

Daily Inspection of Machine during operating cranes:-

• Don’t operate a poorly maintained m/c.
• Inspect clutches, brakes, attachments & wire rope daily.
• Lattice boom check.

REMEMBER during operating cranes “PARTS ARE CHEAPER THAN PEOPLE”

Don’t let the load hit the boom during operating cranes:-

• Don’t let the boom rest on or hit against an object.
• If a lattice or diagonal bracing member is broken or cracked, REPLACE IT.
• If bent straightens it.

SAFETY IN USE OF OPERATING CRANES

Working near power lines:-

• Be alert – you are working around a condition which can cause death.
• keep all m/c parts, hook block & load, fall lines – at least 15feet from Line.
• Assume that every line is hot.
• Appoint a person with a loud signal to warn the operator.
• Don’t allow anyone to lean against or touch the m/c.
• Don’t allow sling man or load handlers to hold load or rigging gears unless necessary.
• If m/c operating in arc zone, keep moving away from the line until arc breaks at least 15 feet away.
• If disengagement from the line is not possible & m/c is not on fire, stay back in the seat until power line shut off.
• If leaving from the m/c is must, leap from the m/c as far as you can.

Use of magnet for lifting:-

• Lifting magnet generators produce voltages in excess of 200 volts & present an electrical shock hazard- deploy trained personnel.
• Don’t touch magnet or load while in operation.
• Don’t let workmen get in between magnet & metal object.
• If necessary to position a load, use a dry, wooden stick.

Operating cranes

Crane boom safety:-

• Loads must be well secured before lifting.
• Chains & slings must be of adequate size.
• The load must not catch on an obstruction when lifting or swinging.
• Avoid sudden starts & stops, Operate smoothly.

• Never wrap the hoist around the load during operating cranes. Never use discarded, worn, or damaged rope for slings
• The m/c must be level before making a lift. The hook block and fall lines can be used as plumb bob for leveling.
• Remember -a 3-degree side tilt can reduce the cap. By 50% or more.

Know your load:-

• Use a scale weight, carefully calculated weight or hook scale or a load indicating system
• Weight includes the weight of slings, gear, hook block & any overhaul weights.
• In case of lifting with fly jib installed, the weight of the jib & rigging mast must also be considered part of the load.
• The total weight should never exceed the rated capacity of the m/c.
• Avoid operating an m/c in high winds & wind blowing against the load, as it produces side load on boom & reduces capacity.
• Keep the load lines as short as possible.

Effect of centrifugal force:-

• Centrifugal force tends to increase load radius. This increase in load radius could overload the machine & cause damage. Use of tagline is recommended to control this force.

Crane boom safety during operating cranes:-

• Operating on the outrigger, beams must be fully extended as well as, so that tyre is clear of grounds.
• Do not pick loads on the main hoist and jib at the same time.
• Do not work with jib angles greater than 30deg w.r.t. boom.
• Do not increase the counterweight above than specified.
• Avoid using multiple cranes on a lift.
• Use caution when operating with minimum radius. This may damage boom backstop.
• After slack rope operation, make sure rope is properly seated on sheaves & drums.
• Never lower the boom on load beyond the point where two full wraps of load are left on the drum.

Submerged load:-

• Caution while lifting the Submerged load
• It may be saturated & weigh much time more than is expected.
• Should be raised slowly

Never stand in front of the Tyre when inflating

Battery & Radiator:-

• Never use an open flame to check a battery
• Be careful when removing radiator caps.

Types of failures in EOT Cranes:-

• Uncontrolled long/cross travel due to the negligence of the operator.
• Provide limit switch strikers to avoid derailment.
• Provide mechanical impact buffers to prevent unexpected travel.
• Lightweight small objects hindrance on rails:
• Provide skurt boards in the front and rear side of bogies to push away the hindrance.
• Over hoist protection:
• Provide a pendent limit switch to prevent over hoist.
• Short circuit :
• Provide waterproof operator cabin & guard all electrical components.