Besides having a lot of beneficial features, overhead cranes are also dangerous up to some extent. At present, it’s quite impossible to think of an industry without overhead cranes. From lifting heavy loads to moving those from one place to another, an overhead crane is a necessary multi-functional tool. With overhead cranes, workers can perform strenuous lifting or carrying tasks quite simply. But overhead cranes can be dangerous and life-threatening if used in the wrong techniques. Certain precautions need to be taken to avoid nuisance while using overhead cranes for different tasks. In this article, you will get ideas about what you should do and what you shouldn’t while using an overhead crane.
What precautions should you take before using an overhead crane?
The things that you should do before starting a lifting operation with an overhead crane -
- Inspect the condition of the crane before each operation to eliminate the chances of accidents. Often accidents occur when workers try to lift or move heavy loads with damaged cranes. As overhead cranes lift extreme loads, the parts of these machines tend to get damaged frequently. That’s why you must check the parts and the overall condition of the crane before every operation. Otherwise, you will undoubtedly face severe accidents if you lift loads with a damaged crane.
- You must consider the maximum load-taking capacity of the overhead crane. That is a significant factor to know before you try to lift a certain weight. If the load exceeds the maximum load-taking capacity of the overhead crane, the chances of accidents get increased. Every overload crane comes with a specific load-taking capacity and doesn’t remain stable while carrying more load than that.
- You must assign trained operators in using overhead cranes. Trainee operators might not handle the operating units of overhead cranes in proper ways. While an overhead crane is carrying heavy loads, it needs to be operated sincerely. Only experienced people should be in charge of operating overhead cranes. Giving the responsibility of operating an overhead crane to a trainee operator might not be a wise decision.
- While a lifting operation is going on, no worker should be on the premises. Lifting failures often take place while lifting huge loads. The workers shouldn’t roam under an overhead crane during a lifting operation as the load can fall anytime and cause an accident.
- Before starting a lifting operation, you must check if the load is properly attached or not. Often hooks of overhead cranes get loosened, and the loads get detached from the hooks. In such cases, accidents are inevitable. That’s why it is important to check whether the weight is appropriately attached to the hook of the overhead crane or not.
- You should educate all of your workers about the mechanism and functions of a crane. If the workers don’t have sufficient knowledge of handling overhead cranes, they can’t use those appropriately. That’s why you must make all the workers aware of the possible hazards of lifting with overhead cranes.
- You should hire a dedicated team of professional signalers to operate overhead cranes successfully. Signals play a significant role during a lifting operation. You shouldn’t let an inexperienced worker give signals during a vital overhead crane operation. Instead, hiring a professional team will be helpful for you.
The things that you shouldn’t do during an overhead crane operation
- Never try to lift loads that exceed the maximum weight-carrying capacities of an overhead crane. That kind of risky thing can even take the life of a worker. No matter how hurry you’re in, never attach extreme weight to the overhead crane as that can be life-threatening.
- Depending on the hand signals during an overhead crane operation can be too risky for your worker. There’re chances of miscommunications while you conduct an overhead crane operation with hand signals. You must get electronic signal lights to conduct the crane operation in a safer way.
- Several workers ride on the overhead cranes and use those to move to another point. That kind of thing contains a lot of risks. The crane hook can get detached anytime, and the worker can fall. That’s why never allow any of your workers to ride on the crane while lifting heavy loads.
- Never involve someone who has no idea about how overhead cranes work in an overhead crane operation. Such a person can’t understand how to utilize the crane. That can be dangerous for everyone related to the crane operation.
- Never try to lift a heavy load from the sides using an overhead crane. Instead, your attempt should be to lift the weight straight upwards. Trying to lift the load from the sides can lead to massive lifting failures.
- Don’t pause the lifting operation in the middle as that can turn out to be dangerous. Be careful until the operation is completed.
- Never forget to detach the load from the hoist of the crane. Don’t leave the weight on the crane as that can fall anytime.
These are the dos and don’ts you should keep in your mind while trying to lift loads using overhead cranes. These points can save you from disastrous accidents.
