How to Operate a Crane Safely

Crane safety is important to avoid serious injury to people or damage to other equipment.

Crane safety is important for many reasons. Cranes are very large and can be dangerous if they're not in the hands of someone who is certified to use them. Certified crane operators need to take precautions every time they hoist a load. They must conduct a safety check each time before they operate the crane. If they don't perform these safety checks, serious injury or damage can be done to people and to other equipment.

Things You'll Need

• Safety shoes or boots
• Work gloves
• Hard hat
• Safety glasses

Instructions

Pre-Operation Crane Safety

1. 

   Crane controls must be labeled correctly.

   Conduct a safety check of the crane's interior controls. Test the crane's controls to ensure it will operate properly. Make sure all of the controls are labeled correctly.

2. 

   A flat tire on a crane can be dangerous.

   Conduct a safety check on the outside of the crane. Check the outside of the crane for any damage, such as loose bolts or under-inflated tires. Listen for any strange noises and sounds. Watch for any jerky or unusual movements.

3. 

   Safety checks must be done on the crane's hooks.

   Conduct a safety check on the crane's hooks. Hooks should be intact, not cracked, twisted, bent or stretched. Check the safety latches for each hook for damage. Listen for any grinding noises as the hooks move around. They should move smoothly and quietly.

4. Conduct a safety check on the crane's block. Look for structural damage of the block or any of the components. The sheaves on the block should move smoothly and quietly. Listen and feel for any grinding problems with the bearings. Look for any damage on the sheave guard. Make sure the guard is not coming into contact with the sheave or the wire rope.

5. 

   The wire rope must be checked for wear-and-tear damage.

   Conduct a safety check on the wire rope and safety straps. Look for any frays, kinks, or cuts in the wire rope and straps. Check the safety straps and wire rope for wear-and-tear damage.

6. Make sure the path the crane is moving on is clear. Walk the route, and check for any bumps, slopes or other obstacles. Move any obstacles out of the way if possible.

Safely Loading and Operating a Crane

1. 

   Safety gear is important when operating a crane.

   Wear the proper safety gear. In order to prevent injury while operating a crane, make sure you wear safety shoes or boots, work gloves that can't be punctured, a hard hat and safety glasses.

2. Select the correct hitch for your load. This will ensure that the load is properly balanced.

3. Attach the load to the block using a lifting device, such as a chain sling or a cable.

4. Tighten safety straps and bolts to secure the load. Make sure the load will not shift during transport.

5. Lift the load straight up, and avoid the load from swinging out of control. Make small movements and small corrections. Follow the directions of a crane supervisor. All cranes have an operator and a supervisor. The supervisor will keep an eye out for obstacles, tell the operator when to turn the crane and when to set the load down.

References

• University of Michigan: Crane & Hoist Safety
• Florida State University: Center for Advanced Power Systems
• Harvard University: Cranes and Hoists

Resources

• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: Mobil Crane General Safety Rules