The cranes are critical equipment that is helping to lift heavy loads in the construction sector, mining, warehouses, and the marine industry to transport materials from one location to another. These machines are very effective in assisting the contractors to complete their projects.
However, if handled improperly, cranes can cause accidents that can lead to damage to property and loss of lives. Therefore, it is important for the crane operators and all people who are involved in handling this equipment to understand the possible ways that cause crane accidents and curb any gaps that might lead to such risks. According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) report, most causes of crane accidents includes;
- The crane drops load as a result of incorrect rigging and the objects fall on the people and other materials around the site.
- Electrocutions that are caused by cranes coming into contact with overhead power lines lead to electrical surges, sparks, and even fires.
- The boom of the cranes sometimes collapses due to improper calculations of load weight.
- There are also instances when cranes experience part failures such as breaks that interfere with their functionality, therefore, hitting objects or the people surrounding the construction site.
- An operator who is not qualified and lacks the experience to operate the cranes can cause accidents. Some operators also risk using a crane for purposes that are not originally designed by the manufacturers.
- Poor maintenance and repair of cranes can result in regular breakdowns and sometimes injuries. An accident can also happen when due to poor weather and poor assembling of the crane.
- A person can fall from a crane
Preventive measures
Although humans cannot prevent all the accidents, there are some measures that can be taken to reduce and educate the operators on what to do in the event a crane accident occurs. One of the measures is ensuring the crane operator is properly trained and is certified by all the relevant authorities in the transport department. Besides, before starting any project that involves the use of the crane, it is important to conduct regular inspections of the crane and on the site so as to enable the operator and the other staff to identify any risk factors such as power cables that can cause fatal accidents. In this case, working with accredited and experienced inspections is safe. Remember, inspecting the condition of the crane to ensure it is secure before use is very beneficial.
Additionally, overloading of cranes with materials should be avoided at all costs and the operator should ensure the machine lifts loads that are within recommendations of the manufacturer.
One of the top crane companies that are effective in handling complex lifting projects is Van Adrighem Group. As a crane rental company, safety in a construction site is their priority and it has competent operators with vast experience serving clients across the globe. Another way of maintaining safety when dealing with cranes is creating a lifting plan with a checklist to act as a guide during operation.
