5 Tips To Promote Safety In Big Crane Operations

In construction sites, the workers are mostly dealing with heavy equipment and materials. This exposes them to various occupational or workplace hazards, and given that heavy types of equipment like cranes are essential to a construction site, its utilisation is virtually unavoidable.

But this does not mean that workers and crane operators have to sacrifice their own safety to make things work because there are many safety measures and precautions that they can follow. 

Read on below for the following tips to ensure better workplace safety when handing crane operations.

1. Make sure that the cranes on-site are properly conditioned

Since cranes play a big role in transporting heavy materials from one spot to another, ensure that your crane is fully functional and conditioned well.

Avoid using faulty cranes because if it malfunctions, the load might get dislodged from the machine and get destroyed when it reaches the ground. This will bear negative implications on the budget of the construction project, and can even compromise the safety of those working on the ground.

2. Know what the crane is capable of

The mistake that some crane operators make is that they overestimate what the crane is capable of.

That's why people tasked to operate cranes should be familiar with the limitations of the equipment so that they can make sure that the load they will be lifting is within its capabilities. Overloading is a big safety hazard to crane operation safety and can damage not just the load but the crane as well.

3. Do not rush crane operations

Crane operators have a huge responsibility in making sure that loads get transported safely from one place to another. But given that operating it can be quite complicated, some workers take shortcuts in attempts to speed up the operation.

This is something that should be avoided because careless crane operations can lead to serious accidents. To make sure that this does not happen, lifting operations must be planned out thoroughly so that the crane operator can follow suit.

4. Make sure that crane operators are qualified

Heavy types of equipment like cranes require sufficient knowledge about its operation so that it can operate safely. If at all possible, screen potential crane operators before hiring them so you can check if they are equipped with the proper skill and know-how.

Getting the right people to do the job goes a long way in making sure that all crane operations in your construction site will be done with safety in mind. As such, it is important for a worker to have the appropriate certifications to be fully qualified for crane operations. For instance, the Occupational Health and Safety Certificate in Singapore equips workers with procedures required when working, identify their roles and responsibilities, how to act during an emergency, and so on.

5. Value riggers and signalmen

Riggers are responsible for making sure that the loads are secured properly prior to lifting, and signalmen help the crane operator navigate the load from one place to another. To complement the safety measures imposed upon crane operations and operators, it's best that your riggers and signalmen also possess the proper skill required to get the job done safely. Screening them before hiring is a viable option to help you make sure they possess the proper technical skills and knowledge. 

Alternatively, you can also enlist them for various construction training and safety courses that are specialised for them, such as the “Performing Rigger and Signalman” course that we at Wong Fong Academy (WFA) offer. This training is geared towards providing riggers and signalmen with proper training in their tasks and make sure they are done not just effectively, but safely as well.

Dealing with heavy equipment like cranes is a very hazardous task if various safety precautions are not observed. Cranes require not just focus but also the proper knowledge and skills, that's why it's important to hire the right people to operate cranes, rig the load properly, and help the crane operator navigate the load from the ground so that the overall safety of the workplace is promoted.