Safe Overhead Crane Operation
Overhead hoists make it much easier for you to move heavy items. However, statistics show that each year tens of people die each year due to accidents associated with overhead crane operation.
When working with any type of heavy machinery, safety must always be your main priority. Safety becomes particularly important in any overhead crane operations. These operations normally involve moving of heavy objects and loads that can cause serious damage if dropped.
Keep the following five tips in mind if you wish to be safer with your overhead crane operations.
1. Maintenance
Regular maintenance of cranes is key to safety. Load testing maintenance ensures that you know the exact number of pounds the crane can handle and ensures that it remains in top condition.
You must never treat maintenance as something optional especially when dealing with heavy machinery. In case any of the moving parts breaks down, wears out, or gives out, the crane can cause serious damage.
To ensure that your employees are safe and for the smooth operation of your building or warehouse, ensure that you perform regular maintenance on your crane.
2. Ensuring That Attachments Or Slings Are Properly Secured
Improper securing of the slings that carry heavy objects is one of the leading causes of accidents associated with overhead crane operation. If the slings aren't secured properly, objects can slip out; tip until off balance, and finally crash to the ground below.
3. Ensuring That The Load Is Clear Of Obstructions
Overhead cranes should first move the load straight in the air before they shift it in any lateral direction. This is the only way of ensuring that nothing clings to the underside of the load. In case boxes, cables, or other kinds of objects are attached, they can add extra weight to the crane. In addition, before moving it laterally, it is good to ensure that the load will clear any obstructions easily.
4. Ensuring That Employees Understand Their Risks
During overhead crane operation, all employees in the vicinity should understand that they are in a dangerous area. Put up signs around the work area to alert employees to the fact that overhead crane operations are taking place above them. Workers need to steer clear the crane and must never walk beneath any loads suspended midair.
5. Driving Sensibly And Carefully
The person who is responsible for managing the overhead crane operation should be extra careful with his or her actions. The operator must never move too fast and must be careful not to jerk the hoist especially if it is carrying a heavy load.
Quick reversals in direction can make the load to spill while swinging the load can be very risky. Controllers must always have their full attention focused completely on what they are doing. They should regard anything that takes their attention off the tasks as highly dangerous.
In conclusion, while overhead crane operations make it easy to move heavy loads, it is still a dangerous job. Follow the five safety tips discussed in this article and you will have a safe workplace free of accidents.
