Crane Operation – What Are The Hazards?
Cranes enable efficient and accurate lifting across many construction projects. However, using them comes with a list of hazards that are essential to consider before you start to lift.
This blog explores the hazards associated with crane lifts, what could happen if things go wrong, and how to avoid them.
What is a hazard?
A situation, substance, or object that poses a potential threat to life, property, or the environment is a hazard. Thankfully, the risks associated with hazards aren’t guaranteed to become a reality if precautions are taken.
What hazards can occur whilst operating a crane?
The hazards associated with crane operation refer to any possible source of damage or harm that may occur while a crane is on site.
Falling loads
Loads falling can cause injury to personnel, damage to property, and potential death.
Constant crane use can lead to failure within the electrical components that maintain control. As such, loads may fall because the lifting mechanism is damaged.
Crashes
Crane mishandling could lead to and collisions with property and other cranes, causing harm to personnel on site.
Crashes usually occur because of poor route planning, where crane positioning and rotation haven’t been adequately considered to avoid obstructions such as other heavy machinery.
Dangerous weather
Thunder and lightning, fog, torrential rain, and extreme heat make manoeuvring cranes treacherous and potentially life-threatening.
Poor visibility during storms and fog prevents the driver from seeing the signaller – the person responsible for directing the lift.
As a result, inaccurate loading can occur, potentially harming staff on site who can’t see the crane.
Incompetent operators & poor communication
Negligent and unqualified personnel are hazards to themselves and others.
Irresponsible staff can improperly load or overload beyond a crane’s lifting capacity, leading to crane malfunction when the hydraulic system fails under pressure.
Unqualified drivers may also be unfamiliar with the directions given by the signaller, leading to accidents and damage to property.
Overhead power lines
Cranes, when needed, can extend for a greater reach. However, there is the danger that cranes can disturb overhead powerlines, leading to the potential electrocution of the driver.
How to avoid hazards during a crane lift
Knowing potential hazards on sites and how to avoid them is essential for keeping personnel and property safe.
Here are several ways that you can help to protect your team from the harmful effects of site hazards.
Hire experienced and trusted operators
If you plan on hiring an appointed person, ensure they are fully qualified to operate a crane.
As well as a standard driving licence, a competent crane driver should have both of the following:
- A Class 2 LGV licence
- CPCS Cards – evidence that the operator has passed the CPCS practical and theory tests
Professional operators will also ensure that personnel are equipped and wearing PPE, making them visible and protected on site.
Plan the lift thoroughly
Without a plan directing the set-up and movement of your crane, accidents are bound to happen.
If you opt for CPA Contract Lifting from a trusted, experienced crane hire firm, they will appoint qualified professionals to plan and carry out the lift, so you don’t need to worry.
Don’t lift during dangerous weather conditions
As obvious as it may seem, refrain from operating a crane during extreme weather.
Schedule construction around bad weather and always check the weather forecast before work begins.
Turn off power to overhead wires
If space is tight and hitting powerlines is probable, cut the power if possible. If not, be sure to take extra caution whilst navigating lifts.
Maintain cranes
Electronic component failures can be random, so cranes must be regularly serviced and maintained.
If you plan on hiring a crane, use a trusted company that maintains its machinery frequently.
Get in touch with Bryn Thomas Cranes
We are an experienced, specialist crane hire firm. If you’d like to know more about our crane hire services, contact us today.
We are always happy to share our knowledge and understanding, helping to find the best solution for your project. You can call our head office on 01352 733 984 or send an email to flint@brynthomascranes.com
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s important to be aware of the potential safety hazards involved with lifting operations so you can avoid them and keep your workers safe.
When transferring goods, there is a risk of it falling from a great height – causing injury to those on the ground, not to mention damage to your property and the load being lifted.
If the crane is not set up correctly, it could topple over, resulting in serious injuries (or possibly even fatalities).
Another common hazard includes equipment failure – usually as a consequence of inadequate maintenance or faulty components. If this is the case, accidents and injuries are likely.
If you’re working on a project close to power lines or electrical equipment, bear in mind that there’s a risk of electrocution, which can be deadly.
For more information about crane hazards and how we can help you to avert such situations, give us a call on 01352 733 984.
If you arrange a contract lift agreement, you can trust that BTC will conduct a risk assessment as part of the planning process. This type of crane hire is typically suited to customers who have never hired a crane before or don’t have the required personnel to complete the lift.
Our team will evaluate the potential risks on your site and outline the measures to eradicate these risks, ensuring maximum safety.
Alternatively, if you choose CPA crane hire, then you will need to provide your own risk assessment before the crane arrives. This option gives you the flexibility to do things your own way – but places more responsibility on your shoulders.
To find out more about the importance of risk assessments for crane hire, get in touch today.
If you need to hire a crane, a method statement will need to be put together after the risk assessment has been completed.
The method statement should describe how the lift will be carried out in order of sequence, ensuring the safety of those working on site. As well as detailed steps, it needs to include emergency procedures and contact details for health and safety personnel.
A detailed method statement will help avert as many risks as possible.
If you’d like to know more about the method statements we provide as part of our contract lifts, you’re welcome to contact us.
They are indeed!
Whether you’re interested in arranging a CPA crane hire or contract lift, we can assure you that every one of the cranes within our modern fleet is properly maintained, tested and certified before it reaches your site.
Our cranes also undergo routine maintenance and inspection where we regularly check for damages and make sure that components work effectively.
Therefore, when you take advantage of our crane hire services, you can be confident that you’ll be supplied with a suitable crane that’s in tip-top condition, along with a competent operator.
Find out more about the cranes we have at our disposal by calling 01352 733 984.
