When you are completing a construction project, it’s crucial that you have the right crane safety protocols to ensure everyone’s well-being on-site and those in the surrounding area. Whether you are working on a small or large project, you are responsible for your construction site’s crane safety. Failing to provide a safe work environment could result in fines, penalties, or even legal action being taken against you.
It’s important to remember that site crane safety encompasses more than just the workplace environment. You also need to ensure that everyone on site wears the correct protective clothing such as hard hats, high vis, and work boots. Your staff should be trained on how to use the equipment they will be handling and follow any safety guidelines that are in place. If you are using large, specialized equipment such as a crane hire in Melbourne, there are more specific guidelines that you will need to adhere to. To ensure safe crane operations on your site, you will need to follow an operational checklist specifically designed for crane usage.
Let’s take a look at some of the protocols you will need to follow for crane usage on your construction site.
Before Turning The Key
Prior to starting up the machine, you will need to conduct a number of safety checks. Check the hydraulic lifts and tilt rams for signs of damage and make sure they are adequately lubricated. The battery bracket terminals should be clean and secure, the battery electrolyte levels should be checked, and caps must be secured in place before starting work. Finally, be sure to check that the battery is fully charged so there are no disruptions later in the day.
You should check that the Data Plate is legible in the cab, that the seat and seatbelt are in working order, and that the FOPS and ROPS are in good condition and are fitted securely in place. Finally, check the coolant, oil, and fluid levels before checked over any attachments you will be using, such as buckets, spreader bars, or brooms, and ensure that they are free of damage and that the pins are fitted correctly.
Control Checks
After you have powered up the machine, you will need to check over the controls to ensure that everything is working correctly. Make sure that the horn is working and can be easily heard over the noise of the engine. Check the hand controls, foot pedals, the lights, rotating warning light, and the parking brake. When you are satisfied that everything is working correctly, check the control panel to ensure there are no warning lights turned on and that your gauges are working properly.
Start Operating Slowly
Now that you have done your pre-usage checks, you can start putting the machine to work. Be sure to proceed with caution in the beginning and pay attention to how the crane is behaving. Ensure that the steering wheel is working, that the vehicle can be reversed without any issues, and that the accompanying warning beep comes on. Go through the different functionalities slowly and make sure that everything is working seamlessly before you get down to any serious work.
Always Follow An Operational Checklist When You Are Working With Cranes
Using cranes on your construction site can be hugely beneficial in working more efficiently and increasing productivity. However, it’s important to remember that cranes are large pieces of equipment and, if they are not maintained and operated correctly, they can pose a real crane safety threat on your site. To ensure safe crane operations on your construction site, make sure that your crane operators follow an operational checklist every day. Going through these pre-operational checks will help keep your staff and your site safe, reducing the risk of injury or property damage during your construction project.
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