Tag Archives: safety operating heavy equipment

Be Safe While Operating a Crane- Take Certain Precautions

If you are a part of the construction industry, you must be well aware of the potential hazards that the use of heavy equipment poses. Wondering what is it that you can do in this direction? Well, starting off by incorporating certain precautions with respect to the handling of heavy construction equipment would be good.

Cranes- An Indispensible Part of the Construction Industry

It is a widely known and accepted fact that heavy equipment is an indispensible part of the construction industry, without which the industry would cease to exist. And cranes are one of the most important equipment in the arena of construction. Used as a means of carrying load from one place to another, cranes prove to be a great alternative, getting the entire job done faster and more efficiently as compared to manual means. Not only does it save a lot of time, but also reduces physical labor by a considerable extent.

What Can You Do To Remain Safe While Operating Cranes?

As in the case of any other heavy construction equipment, cranes too are susceptible to be the cause of potential hazards when not handled carefully. However, certain precautions can always help in the reduction of the rate of mishaps if not altogether eliminate it.

  • You could begin by checking the different parts of the crane before it is put to use. Make sure that all the parts are in order now and then in order to avoid potential mishaps from the use of cranes with faulty parts.
  • Ensure that the load placed on the crane is proportional to its capacity. Not only is this important for the optimum performance of the crane but is also a way of steering clear of the danger zone by forcing the crane to bear more load than it can.
  • It is also prudent if crane operators work along with another co-operator so as to have a helping hand when in need. This way one of the partners can work as the signal system when in need. But ensure that the second person selected by you is well up to the job.
  • Those responsible for the smooth operation at construction sites must make sure that they hire operators who are sufficiently skilled and have proper training in the field. It would also be best if they are also well aware of all the safety precautions.
  • Double checking the loads before starting your day with the crane is another precaution that you could consider.
  • And last but not the least- be absolutely alert when operating with the crane. Ensure that any kind of damage or glitch is reported immediately and sorted out. This is one simple measure that could save a lot of damage with respect to cranes at construction sites.

As it has always been said that “prevention is better than cure”- the same holds true for the operation of cranes. It is best if you are alert and practice certain precautionary measures instead of waking up to damage control after the mishap.