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Cranes

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Major Causes of Crane Accidents
• Contact with power lines

• Overturns

• Falls

• Mechanical failures
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How Do Accidents Occur?
• Instability – unsecured load, load
capacity exceeded, or ground not level
or too soft
• Lack of communication - the point of
operation is a distance from the crane
operator or not in full view of the
operator
• Lack of training
• Inadequate maintenance or inspection

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Types of Cranes
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CRANE SAFETY
CRANE SAFETY
• Only people
that have
trained are
permitted to
operate cranes

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CRANE SAFETY
• Barricades around
the swing area of a
revolving cab must
be used when
operating a crane
in areas where
pedestrians or
traffic pass close
by.

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CRANE SAFETY
• Never operate
cranes closer than
10 feet from power
lines. Voltages
greater than 50,000
volt require greater
distance.

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CRANE SAFETY
• Before lifting
carefully inspect
all rigging, slings,
hooks, etc.
• Report any
damage or defects
to your supervisor
right away.

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CRANE SAFETY
• When it is
necessary to
guide a
suspended,
use tag lines.

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CRANE SAFETY
• Don’t distract
the crane
operator. Only
one signalman
at a time.

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CRANE SAFETY
• Never ride the
load, ball or
hook.

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 Recommended Safe Work Practice: Affected Zone

D x 1.5

D
Be aware of existing
underground utilities
and backfill. Affected Zone (Depth x 1.5)
*Average Soil Only
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CRANE SAFETY

• Never use
the crane’s
cable as a
sling.

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CRANE SAFETY
• Keep out from
under suspended
loads.
• Watch out for
materials that
could fall on you if
hit by the moving
load.

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CRANE SAFETY
• Make sure you
provide
yourself a way
out when
directing load
drops.

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Types of Cranes
• Mobile
• Hydraulic
• Overhead
• Gantry
• Tower

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LESSON 2
OTHER MATERIAL HANDLING
EQUIPMENT
Overhead and gantry
cranes (1910.179)

Crawler locomotive
and truck cranes
(1910.180)

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LESSON 2
OTHER MATERIAL HANDLING
EQUIPMENT
Derricks (1910.181)

Helicopters (1910.182)

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 Crane Hazards
• Improper load • Working too close to
rating power lines
• Excessive speeds • Improper exhaust
• No hand signals system
• Inadequate • Shattered windows
inspection and • No steps/guardrails
maintenance walkways
• Unguarded parts • No boom angle
• Unguarded swing indicator
radius • Not using outriggers

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 Planning Before Start-Up
• Level the crane and ensure support surface is firm
and able to support the load
• Contact power line owners and determine
precautions. Know the location and voltage of
overhead power lines.
• Know the basic crane capacities, limitations, and
job site restrictions, such as the location of power
lines, unstable soil, or high winds.
• Make other personnel aware of hoisting activities.
• Barricade areas within swing radius.
• Ensure proper maintenance and inspections.
• Determine safe areas to store materials and place
machinery.
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 Competent Person
The competent person must
inspect all machinery and
equipment prior to each
use, and during use, to
make sure it is in safe
operating condition.

If it needs fixing, take it out

of service and don’t use it Broken
until it is fixed
Track

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 Load Capacity - Speed - Warnings

• Make sure the crane

operator can see the:
 Rated Load
Capacities
 Operating Speeds
 Special Hazard
Warning or
Instruction

Load Rating Chart

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Know the Weight of the Load
• Refer to shipping ticket or other
documentation
• Ensure lift calculations are correct
• Ensure load is within load chart rating for
boom length and load radius of crane
• Crane is rated by the maximum weight it
will lift at a minimum radius and minimum
boom length – the further from its
centerpoint, the less it will lift

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 Load Limiting Factors
• Not level
• Wind
• Side loads
• On its wheels
• Lifting over the side
• Use of extensions, jibs and other
attachments
• Limits of wire rope, slings and lifting devices
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 Load Example –
30 ton crane
• Will lift 60,000 pounds at 10 feet from the
center pin of the crane
• Based on level surface, no wind, and
outriggers fully extended
• At 25 feet from the center pin with an 80 foot
boom, the capacity is only 14,950 pounds
• At 74 feet from the center pin, the capacity
is only 4,800 pounds

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 Improper Load

Improper loads or speeds can result

in the tipping of the crane
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Improper Load

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Improper Load

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 Power Lines

Stay clear
from power
lines at least
10 feet

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 Hand Signals

An illustration of
the signals must
be posted at the
job site

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 Guard Moving Parts

Unguarded
Chain Drive

Guard moving parts such as gears or belts

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 Swing Radius

Stay out of the swing radius of the crane –

Make sure there are barrier guards showing swing radius
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 Operator Visibility

Broken Window

Make sure broken windows or other obstructions

do not prevent the operator from seeing
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 Ladders

Ladder

Use ladders to get to the upper portion of the cab

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 Guardrails

Runways and steps need to have guardrails,

handholds and slip resistant surfaces
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 Suspended Loads

Don’t stand under suspended loads

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 Boom Angle Indicator

A boom angle indicator must be on the crane

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Boom Angle Indicators

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 Supporting Surface

Cranes must be on a firm supporting

surface and level within 1 percent
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 Sheaves

The grooves must be smooth and free from surface

defects which could cause rope damage
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 What to Inspect
• Correct air pressure and no leaks
• Tires properly inflated
• Clearance for tail swing
• Wire rope wear
• Physical damage to crane
• Loose or missing hardware, nuts, or bolts
• Fluid leaks

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 Worn Part

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 Tire Inspections

Conduct
regular
inspections
of tires for
excessive
wear or
damage

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 Training
• Operators:
must qualify on specific crane type
Must include on-the-job training
• Supervisor / competent person

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 Summary
• An unstable load, lack of communication, lack of
training, and inadequate maintenance or inspection are
major contributors to crane accidents.
• Operators or others working in the area can be
victims to “struck by" and "caught in" injuries.
• Contact with power lines causes many accidents.
• A competent person must inspect a crane regularly
to insure it is in proper order.
• Planning and training reduces accidents.

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