Safety tips when working with mobile cranes
A mobile crane is an extremely versatile piece of equipment that can be used for a handful of different tasks.
Due to the role it plays in plant services, construction or mining, it’s important for your operators to handle this expensive equipment with care and take the correct safety protocol when operating it.
When it comes to construction safety, it is not only about the operator’s safety but also about those who work around the machine. It’s imperative to take precautions to avoid accidents or fatal injuries.
Here are a few important tips to consider when working with heavy-duty machinery:
Make use of experienced operators
While it’s easy to train a worker whom you trust to operate your mobile crane and work on your equipment, you need to hire operators who are experienced in working on these types of machines and understand how critical safety is. They need to constantly be aware and focused, especially while moving heavy loads. And, more importantly, they need to understand how modern hydraulic systems work. Mobile cranes today are well-engineered to include the latest electronics and mechanics to speed up your jobs and make the entire project more efficient. These new-age machines are complex, and if not dealt with in the hands of a professional, it can be extremely dangerous for the operator and those around him or her. Keep your operations running lawfully and train your workers according to the correct compliance.
Understand the purpose of a mobile crane in each job
While it may seem simple, each project has different specifications and job requirements. No two jobs are the same, and it’s important for operators to understand this before they begin working on their job. From the terrain to workload circumstances, hazards, power lines and more, these are a few of the considerations you need to take into account when operating a mobile crane on site. Each job requires a different crane size to be able to lift your load safely, so use the right sized crane for your efforts.
Be sure to inspect site hazards
Over the duration of your project, there will be many changes that occur. Of course, you will still need to identify hazards in the initial site inspection, according to the equipment used and for the sake of your workers. Hazards might change from the beginning, but all need to be considered. You will also need to look after the safety of the crane operator, the workers around the crane and the general public close to the construction site. Be sure to send your operators for the correct training and keep them in uniform.
Observe the ground conditions
As you can imagine, the ground conditions can play a massive role in the performance of your mobile crane. While many mobile cranes only need a designated area to physically move in, you still need to be able to clear the space for other machines, the boom size and swing on Tadano mobile cranes, for example, and more. If you need guidance on the site space versus the crane size, your equipment partner will be able to assist you with the correct measurements. Another tip is to check how safe the area is to operate in. If the area is unsafe, be sure to make use of additional stability pads and tools to secure your mobile crane.
Monitor your equipment
Heavy-duty machinery used on projects are operated on every day. It’s important to encourage your operators to monitor machinery and to ensure that if they hear of feel something strange, they address it immediately. The equipment you provide your workers with needs to be of high-quality. This will avoid risk, and daily inspections will prevent equipment from failing when you least expect it.
Final thoughts
It’s easy to forget to do the above safety checks when you’re facing pressing deadlines or you’re looking to cut corners to (hopefully) speed up your day. But when you’re working with such dangerous equipment that’s one step away from causing a major accident if the wrong buttons are pressed or the machine is faulty, you simply cannot compromise on these safety tips. Take the time to draw up the correct precautions and protocols needed to be addressed every day to make tasks more efficient and operations safer. Keep equipment and operators licenced, so that your business is running smoothly, lawfully and safely for all parties involved. This efficiency will, in turn, improve productivity.