Working with crane is a very dangerous operation and it requires a lot of attention. Cranes play a central role in the construction industry, but the crane operators need to be very careful when working with them, as they represent many potential hazards. The cranes in Australia are involved in 1 of 3 construction accidents, which is disturbing. Although there are many safety devices utilized on the cranes, safety procedures additionally enhance the safety of crane operators.
The most important thing every crane safety procedure should state is the warning in situation when a piece of equipment fails. To prevent personnel from getting injured by a dropped load, all workers must remain clear of loads about to be lifted. Here is a suggested crane safety procedure every construction company should follow.
Training – Training is an important aspect of the crane safety procedure, as it reduces or eliminates the possibility of crane-failures by a human error. To become a crane operator, you need to speak and understand your native language, meet the legal age in your country, pass a physical examination (sight, visual perception, etc.), have a basic understanding of cranes and demonstrate a satisfactory set of skills for operating a crane.
Certificate – Without a certificate, you cannot operate cranes in Australia. There are countries that do not require certificates, but cranes in Australia are operated only by well-trained and certified individuals. The certificate should include a medical examination, an integral and defined skill level; it must be revocable and renewable and must cover a specific range of duties. But the crane operator should consider a specific type of crane (crawler crane, tower crane, boom crane, tractor crane, truck mounted crane, crane trucks, etc.) so the certificate will stand as a proof that the operator has a set of skills for operating specific type or types of cranes in Australia.
Installing, Removing, Inspection – The cranes should be installed and removed only by experienced and acknowledged personnel and both processes need to be supervised by a competent person. The cranes need to be able to rotate for 360º without hitting any structure or object nearby. The structure of cranes needs to be able to withstand heavy torque and pressure loading. Most commonly workers get injured while they dismantle lattice boom cranes. They improperly remove the boom what leads to the collapsing of the boom. Also, full and thorough inspection of a crane before operating is very important. The crane operators are responsible for maintaining records of inspection dates.
