Safe Work Procedure For Crane Operation

Crane operation is a dangerous job if not done properly. To keep everyone safe, it is essential to have a safe work procedure for crane operation. This blog outlines the steps that need to be taken to operate a crane safely. Make sure you read and follow these steps closely!

Safe Work Procedure For Crane Operation

As with any work activity, there is a risk associated with the operation of a crane. It is important to identify and minimize these risks by following certain safety procedures.

1. Appropriately Train All Employees

As an employer, you have a legal responsibility to provide appropriate health and safety training to all your employees, so they’re competent at their jobs. You’ll increase workplace safety, satisfaction, and profits by training your employees as you reduce injuries, fatalities, accidents, and sickness absences.

2. Select Appropriate PPE For All Employees

You must ensure your employees wear appropriate foot, head, and eye protection and any other PPE you have identified in your risk assessment. In addition, you must provide employees with a suitable crane operator’s helmet and appropriate gloves.

3. Properly Safety Plan All Jobs Before Starting Work

Once employees have been trained, you must ensure they safety plan every job before they start any crane operation. This includes fully understanding the potential hazards and risks, having a plan with the necessary materials, crane location, signal persons, etc., and walking through the job site to ensure there is no danger.

4. Ensure Clear Warning Signals Are Displayed On-site When Needed

To warn your employees of the potential hazards, you must display the relevant hazard signs in all danger zones on-site. You must also ensure all your employees know and understand all the warning signs, so they know when they are entering a danger zone.

In addition, the warning signals should include a clearly-painted circle or another visual marker (at least 2 meters away from the crane), which indicates the crane’s operating radius. This helps to prevent accidents due to people entering the crane’s path. It should also include boundary markers to help keep everyone away from the crane while it is in operation.

5. Make Employees Aware Of, And Strictly Enforce, Your Load And Lifting Limits

It’s important to set maximum load and lifting limits for your crane and strictly enforce these. You must also ensure that all employees know these limits, as not doing so can cause serious accidents and injury.

You must also ensure that employees create a plan before any lifting operation and follow it closely. This plan should include secure loadings, the correct angle of lift, an assessment of the load’s center of gravity, and any other factors that can affect the lift.

6. Ensure A Supervisor Is Present On Site At All Times When Cranes Are In Operation

Having a supervisor on site is essential to ensure any potential hazards are identified and acted upon quickly. This could be the crane operator or someone with the necessary knowledge and experience.

The supervisor should also conduct regular inspections of the crane to ensure it is safe for use, address any issues that need to be addressed, and ensure employees follow all safety procedures.

7. Carry Out Routine Maintenance And Repairs Of All On-site Equipment At Appropriate Intervals

Part of your legal responsibility under LOLER involves routine, periodic maintenance and repairs to ensure your machinery is in safe working condition. Carrying out regular maintenance and repairs is essential to ensure the crane remains in good working order. A qualified engineer should do this, and all checks should be documented.

It’s also important to check the crane for any signs of damage or wear and tear, as this can lead to unexpected accidents. The engineer should also look for any loose parts that could be dangerous to workers and take the necessary steps to fix them.

8. Know, Understand And Comply With The Lifting Operations And Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) is the main legislation that applies to all lifting operations in the UK. This includes operating and maintaining cranes and safety training for crane operators.

It is essential to read the LOLER regulations in detail and understand what they involve. You must ensure that your crane operation is compliant with the regulations, and you must be able to demonstrate this if asked.

Failure to comply with LOLER can result in heavy fines and even imprisonment, so it is essential to take the regulations seriously. If you have doubts about your compliance with LOLER, you should seek professional advice.

9. Ensure Employees Know They Must Not Stand Under Loads And Ensure Operators Never Lift A Load Over An Employee

Operators must be trained to know that they should never lift a load over an employee. This is illegal, extremely dangerous, and can cause severe injury and even death.

Employees must also know the danger of standing under a load, as objects can fall unexpectedly or the crane may malfunction. They should always be kept from the crane and aware of the risk of being in its path.

10. Have A Plan In Place For Any Emergency Situations

It’s essential to have an emergency plan in place in case of any accidents or malfunctions during crane operations. This plan should include procedures for reporting any accidents, emergency shut-off procedures, and evacuation plans in the event of a significant incident.

The emergency response plan should be discussed with all employees and the crane operator to ensure they know what to do in any eventuality.

In addition, the crane should be checked regularly for any potential hazards that could lead to an emergency, and these should be addressed as soon as possible. This could include checking for mechanical faults or ensuring the load is balanced correctly on the crane’s hook. By being prepared for any eventuality, you can reduce the risk of any accidents occurring.

Finally, you must review your safety procedures regularly to ensure they remain up-to-date and compliant with the relevant regulations. Taking a proactive approach to safety can help ensure a safe and successful crane operation.

Conclusion

Carrying out crane operations safely is essential to ensure the safety of employees and the public. By understanding the relevant regulations and having a plan for emergencies, you can ensure a safe and compliant crane operation. Furthermore, proper maintenance and regular checks should be carried out to prevent accidents or malfunctions. Following the tips in this article can help ensure that your crane operations remain safe and successful.