Workers at industrial facilities routinely use overhead cranes to lift and reposition heavy loads. That’s because compared with manual lifting, mechanical handling products such as overhead cranes can make the process of lifting, lowering and repositioning loads much safer, not to mention more efficient to complete.
However, complacency can become an issue with regards to overhead crane safety. This can result in serious injuries for workers, as well as anyone else in the vicinity of the crane itself.
Metreel are leading overhead crane installers, and we work with businesses from across the UK. While no substitute for an independent health and safety assessment, these are some of our top overhead crane safety tips to protect your team.
Conduct Mandatory Training Including Regular Refreshers
As with any industrial equipment or machinery, your team must have the relevant qualifications and safety training to be able to use an overhead crane.
Beyond understanding how the machine itself works, workers also need to understand how to plan lifting operations carefully. Sometimes referred to as a method statement, a plan that will result in a safe system of work needs to be created and recorded. Everyone involved in the plan needs to fully understand it.
Even for your most experienced employees, regular refresher courses can help ensure that everyone knows what is expected of them to minimise risk when using an overhead crane.
Crucially, a lack of concentration due to fatigue, excessive temperatures or a hasty approach to work can all greatly increase the risk of accident or injury when operating a crane. Therefore, workers also need to be aware of the signs that they or someone else may be unfit to operate a crane.
Inspect Overhead Cranes Before Each Use
Overhead cranes should be inspected daily before each use to check for signs of wear, tear, damage or malfunction.
Pay close attention to components such as the hoist, trolley, bridge, wire ropes, hooks and chains. Do not use the crane if any defaults are detected until maintenance by a qualified professional has taken place. The crane must the be deemed safe to be brought back into operation.
It’s also important to keep an eye on maintenance schedules so that your crane receives more in-depth professional attention at regular intervals.
Respect Load Limits & Techniques
All cranes including overhead cranes have load capacities. Ensure your team understands what these limits are, including the weight of the load before lifting. Never exceed the safe load limit.
Beyond the weight of the load, another important factor is controlling the load as it moves to reduce the potential for injury. One technique is to centre the hoist above the load to centre its gravity before lifting so that the load doesn’t sway.
A lifting beam can also be used to prevent sway, and the crane can be equipped with a frequency inverter to offer more control over the load movements and increase safety.
Identify Hazard Zones
Plan lifting routes by identifying hazards. Start by planning how to avoid multiple stops along the route ensuring there is enough room to move the load. The crane operator should have a clear line of sight throughout. However, use cameras or a signaller if this is not possible.
Do not move loads over people or allow people to walk under a suspended load. Also check there are no other hazards that may cause slips or trips to personnel while the crane is being operated.
Any hazard zones should also be clearly marked, so that people know where they can safely walk, along with any areas that are out of bounds due to the risk of being struck by the load. Equip the crane with warning lights and sounds to provide as much warning as possible.
Make Safety A Priority In Your Business
While there are certainly lots of practical steps you need to take to protect all those who operate or work near overhead cranes, a genuine willingness and enthusiasm to comply with safety must underpin any such measures.
Even a minor lapse in concentration can result in a fatality when operating a crane. Therefore, it’s really important for businesses to enforce safety, insist on the correct training and also take swift action should safety measures be ignored or breached.
Shop Overhead Cranes For Your Business
Are your overhead cranes at the end of their lifespan, or do you require more crane capacity?
Metreel is based in Derbyshire and supplies overhead cranes to businesses from across the UK. Our material handling solutions can help ensure your business is safer and more productive, especially if you need an overhead crane to power your operations.
If you’re new to Metreel, we have a product brochure which is available to download.
You can also contact us directly by calling us on 0115 932 7010 or emailing us at [email protected].