5 Ways to Stay Safe When Rigging a Crane
Rigging a crane can be a dangerous job. However, there are several things you can do to stay safe while doing so. Here are five tips to help keep you safe while rigging a crane. Read on to discover more!
1 Always wear a safety harness
Rigging a crane requires you to be up high, often on top of the trolley or boom. Wearing your safety harness can save your life if you ever slip and fall. However, if your safety harness isn't attached correctly, it won't be able to keep you safe. It is best to ask a workmate to double-check that your harness is secured before climbing onto the trolley or boom.
2. Make sure the ground is stable
Before rigging a crane, make sure that where you're lifting your load off is secure and strong enough to handle the weight of what's being lifted. If you're lifting a heavy object, first set up blocks and be sure to brace the load where it sits. Blocks and braces can go a long way when rigging a crane. If you'll be lifting something off the ground with your crane, secure your load and use blocking and bracing to keep it level and prevent it from moving around. If something doesn't feel quite right while you're doing this, don't hesitate to double-check that all of your equipment is still properly in place before continuing on with your task.
3. Check the load capacity of the crane
Because every load is different, it's important that you inspect what you will be lifting before rigging your crane. In some instances, this may mean taking a peek under the hood and checking out what type of engine is in place. Once you know how much your load weighs, confirm with your supervisor that your crane is able to lift that amount. This step can help keep both you and those around you safe from harm.
4. Inspect all equipment before use
Before starting any project that involves rigging a crane, inspect everything before using it. This means checking both the outer appearance of each piece of equipment and its inner mechanism. For example, you should inspect any cables for wear and check that the clips used to fasten loads actually work.
5. Never overload the crane
Remember that if you are not sure whether or not an object should be lifted by a particular lift truck or capacity load, it really should not be lifted. Ensuring you're using the right crane and equipment for the job is an essential step in rigging a crane safely and avoiding an accident.
Contact a construction company today if you want to find out more rigging.
