Safety when working with cranes

Crane work involves great forces and heavy loads in motion. Most serious accidents are caused by overload, lost stability, failed rigging or people in the danger zone. Safety is about systematically controlling these four conditions.

§Stability at mobile cranes

A mobile crane stands stable only if the ground bears it and the crane is supported correctly. Outriggers are extended and blocked against bearing plates so ground pressure is distributed. Soft or filled ground can give way and the crane can tip. The crane must be level within the tolerances the manufacturer specifies.

§Overhead and gantry cranes

For bridge and portal cranes the crane is fixed-mounted so stability is rarely the problem. The focus here is on load movement: pendulating load collision with structures and people in the roadway. Sudden jerks are avoided soft starting and letting the load settle at rest before lowering.

§Work area and cordoning

The area under and around the lift is kept clear. No one walks under a suspended load, and the swing area of mobile cranes is cordoned off because the counterweight swings out backwards. When working near roads, traffic lanes or overhead lines, stricter distance requirements and special precautions apply.

§Personal protective equipment

• 01Safety shoes and helmet in the lifting area
• 02High-visibility clothing so crane operators and slingers can see each other
• 03Gloves when handling wire, chains and items with sharp edges

§Weather and visibility

Wind grabs at the load and at the boom and can make the lift uncontrollable — especially with large surfaces and high lifts. The manufacturer specifies a limit for wind speed. Poor visibility, ice and cold also affect safety and the lift is postponed if conditions are not safe.

§Stop in case of doubt

The most important rule is simple: if in doubt about weight equipment stability or people in the hazard zone the lift is stopped. A stopped lift can always be resumed — an accident cannot be undone.