Cranes tend to play an important role when it comes to turning big construction and industrial projects into reality. However, they can also pose a huge risk of accidents. You can prevent such situations by working with experienced crane rental services and operators, and by following some safety procedures to ensure the safety of yourself as well as your colleagues around you.

Prevent Overloading

Overloading is the most common risk factor while operating cranes. Even though every machine comes with a maximum load notification, some crane operators take it for granted. According to them, cranes can lift twice the weight, and that the notification is just a safety feature. As a result, they continue to lift heavy loads that result in serious accidents.

Overloading leads to an imbalance, causing the loads to drop to the ground. Such situations cannot be avoided regardless of how experienced the crane operator is.

With time a particular load rating label becomes illegible as well. To counter the issue, operators tend to play guessing games based on the cranes they have operated before. Considering the risks and harm it can bring to people on the ground, this is not a guessing game.

In addition to that, overloading is also not always intentional. Sometimes the rigging carries a different rating as compared to the crane.

In other cases, overloading is also caused by employees shifting and loading the weight from vendors and shippers without verifying the weight. Fortunately, crane operations do not work this way and overloading is very easy to avoid if each package is properly weighed.

Avoid Overworking Employees

Handling and shifting weights is a tough job and it can take a toll not only on your physical but mental health as well. Employees need to be relaxed mentally to avoid confusion and mixing weights. Believe it or not, more than half of crane-related accidents take place due to employees being overworked.

Sometimes the employees tend to be too close to the cranes. This is a life-threatening situation. Although employees are provided instructions to keep a safe distance from the crane during training, ignorance takes over.

Oftentimes, it is observed that employees tend to be standing below the load. Whatever, the safety or braking mechanisms may be, one cannot take the risk of standing under heavy loads. Braking systems only prevent the loads from falling onto humans. However, that does not mean the load will not fall.

Run Safety Checks

Running safety checks is important in terms of safety. Even a minor component breaking down can put the safety of everyone at risk. Therefore, to avoid fatal accidents, it is important each employee runs safety checks and ensures wearing proper gear.

Crane operators on the other hand should inspect the machines on a daily basis for wear and tear. Cranes are made of many components that require maintenance. If these components are not looked after, chances are that the machine will fail once it lifts heavy loads. In addition to that, the area should also be cleared of any obstructions or human activity.

Inspections allow engineers to spot the problem beforehand. Most crane operators assume that since the crane performed perfectly fine the previous day, it will perform the same the next day as well. This again is ignorance at its peak.

Perform Trial Lifts

Before operating the crane, short trial lifts should be conducted. This allows the engineers as well as the crane operators to observe the crane’s performance under controlled situations.

Engineers who think it is just a waste of time should consider the amount of time it will take if an accident were to occur as compared to preventing the situation from happening by performing trial lifts.

If during the process, the machine was to make unusual noises or display fishy activity, the engineers can immediately solve the problem before the actual loads are brought in.

Final Word

Crane accidents can easily be avoided by running safety checks and performing trial lifts. At the same time, it should be ensured that the employees are not working overtime or are stressed. Commitment to safety and minimizing risks at all costs leads to the prevention of serious crane accidents. Plus, rent crane trucks DC from companies which follow maintenance procedures to avoid crane malfunctions.