Safety Tips for Using Mobile Cranes
Mobile cranes are the epitome of convenience in the construction industry. They allow personnel to access tough to reach places and to lift heavy loads in multiple environments. As opposed to fixed cranes that have to be established at a particular point, mobile cranes are fitted onto wheels or vehicles that can be set up in many different sites.
With the convenience of mobile cranes come their safety considerations. Indeed, mobile cranes can be more hazardous to work with if proper safety regulations are not adhered to. When using a mobile crane, keep the following safety tips in mind.
Obtain the required licence and training
There are specialised instruction courses that are designed for crane operators. These courses are meant to instill basic and advanced operational skills for multiple types of cranes. It's important for mobile crane operators to undergo this necessary training and to obtain the required licencing in order to operate these cranes on a construction site.
Be careful of your environment
Mobile cranes are used in many different environments. Some areas are spacious and have less risk involved, while others are tighter spaces where a single wrong move can cause a lot of damage. It's important for crane operators to always be aware of their surroundings. The crane should only be set up in areas where there is full view of the working area. In addition, people, vehicles and other neighbouring structures should always be paid attention to.
Have a safety operation checklist
Before the crane is used to lift any items, there should be a well-defined checklist that every operator on-site should follow. This checklist should cover basic inspection procedures for the crane, examining the load chains, and double-checking the proper positioning of hooks that will attach to the load.
Be mindful of weather conditions
While a mobile crane allows for operation in multiple sites, the current weather conditions and the state of the current terrain should be taken into consideration. Wet weather can cause the wheels of a mobile crane to become slippery and lose traction, or the hooks attaching to a load to become more prone to shifting.
Foggy conditions can also reduce visibility across the work site and make it risky to operate the crane in such conditions.
Pay attention to load limits
Mobile cranes come in different sizes, and some may not have the same load-bearing capacity as others. While cranes are useful for lifting heavy items to required heights, operators should always ensure that their cranes are working within the load carrying capacity at all times.
Trying to hoist loads that are too heavy can lead to the wear and tear of internal wires, as well as the bending and breakage of other components.
