Cranes are indispensable in the construction industry, lifting heavy loads and shaping skylines. While operating these colossal machines, safety should always be the top priority. Whether you’re a seasoned crane operator in San Francisco or a novice in the field, adhering to stringent safety practices ensures a secure work environment and helps prevent accidents that could have severe consequences. Let’s go over five essential safety tips from Sheedy Crane that should be ingrained in every crane operator’s mindset.

Pre-Operation Inspection

Before embarking on any heavy-lifting task, a thorough pre-operational inspection is the most important step. Crane operators should meticulously examine every component of the crane, checking for signs of wear and tear, loose bolts, or any irregularities. This includes inspecting the hoist cables, hydraulic systems, and safety devices.

Any identified issues should be promptly addressed and resolved before the crane is put into operation. Neglecting pre-operational inspections can lead to catastrophic mistakes, posing risks to both the operator and those working in the vicinity.

Comprehensive Training and Certification

Operating a crane is a skill that requires specialized knowledge and training. All crane operators must undergo comprehensive training programs covering crane operations, safety protocols, emergency procedures, and equipment maintenance. Obtaining the necessary certifications from reputable authorities is a must.

Continuous education is key to staying knowledgeable of industry advancements and new safety features integrated into modern crane systems. Well-trained and certified operators are better equipped to handle complex situations, reducing the likelihood of accidents and ensuring the safety of everyone on the construction site.

Clear Communication Protocols

Effective communication is the backbone of safe crane operations. Crane operators need to establish clear communication channels with ground personnel, signal persons, and other operators on the job site. Two-way radios and standardized hand signals should be used to convey instructions accurately. Clear communication helps prevent accidents such as load swings, collisions, or misinterpretation of signals.

Weather Awareness

Harsh weather conditions can have a big impact on crane operations. High winds, rain, or snow can jeopardize the stability of a crane and compromise load control. San Francisco crane operators need to monitor weather forecasts regularly and respond proactively to adverse conditions.

When weather conditions exceed safe operating limits, operators should exercise caution and consider temporarily shutting down operations. Safety should always take precedence over productivity.

Regular Maintenance and Inspections

Similar to any machinery, cranes require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Scheduled inspections, lubrication of moving parts, and checks on load-bearing components are imperative. Routine maintenance routines help identify potential issues before they escalate into major problems, mitigating the risk of unexpected breakdowns during operation. A well-maintained crane not only operates more efficiently but also improves overall safety on the construction site.

Crane Operators in San Fransisco – Sheedy Crane

Operating cranes is a complex and challenging task that demands proper training and attention to detail. By prioritizing these safety tips, crane operators will contribute to a safe work environment. If you lack the necessary training and knowledge needed to operate cranes in San Francisco, reach out to Sheedy Crane Rental Company. We can provide you with NCCCO-certified operators for your next project. Give us a call at (415) 648-7171 for more information.

Construction equipment is a significant investment, and one of the ways to make sure you get the greatest return on that investment is through routine maintenance as well as utilizing options such as our Bay area commercial storage.

By keeping your equipment maintained, you’ll reduce repair costs, shorten downtime, add to the life of your machinery, and improve on its resale value.

In this blog post, we will discuss a few ways to make sure your construction equipment maintenance routine helps you get the most out of your equipment.

Maintenance Scheduling for Heavy Machinery

Stick to the maintenance schedule suggested by the manufacturer to make sure your equipment functions at its best.

Daily visual inspections can help too, asking questions such as:

Are there signs of misalignment after operating the equipment on uneven or rough terrain? Are the tires and axles in good condition?
Do you see any oil leakage?
Are the vehicles’ fluids at the proper level?

You should also consider going beyond that the manufacturer could know about the environment where your equipment is operating.

For example, you might be operating in an environment where the weather gets very humid, or very dry, or on a job site with corrosive or abrasive soils. Factors like this can impact the inner workings of your machinery, and are the types of things your manufacturer wouldn’t have a way of knowing.

Safety Basics for hydraulic cranes

Make sure the workers who will be using your equipment receive proper, thorough training and only although employees who have received that training operate this machinery. Workers should also wear protective gear such as hard hats, goggles and industrial ear plugs.

You can also protect your equipment — and your workers — by ensuring that everyone pays strict attention to safety regulations. Working construction equipment might seem simple, but don’t be fooled. Equipment should be used for its intended purpose and only by people with adequate training.

Proper Storage for hydraulic cranes

Finally, make sure you have somewhere to store your construction equipment when it won’t be in use for long stretches.

This should be some place that’s secure and keeps your machinery away from moisture, direct sunlight and other conditions that can lead to rust and other types of degradation.

Bay Area Commercial Storage with Sheedy Crane

One way to keep your equipment properly maintained is to make sure it’s somewhere safe when you’re not using it. If you need a place for machinery storage in San Francisco, Sheedy Crane can help.

Sheedy can receive and store your equipment on either a long or short-term basis and haul it to your job site as needed.

With our San Francisco warehousing & storage service, you’ll get:

Secure storage, in both open and covered varieties
Customized plans for either larger or long-term projects
We also provide handling for a wide range of equipment, including HVAC units, boilers, chillers, tanks and generators

With operations at the Port of San Francisco and Port of Stockton, Sheedy Crane can keep your construction equipment safe until you’re ready to use it. Contact us today to learn more.

Cranes are magnificent pieces of equipment that are indispensable in construction projects. Crane operators must follow proper safety protocols for safe operation of the crane. It is important to remember that safety protocols and regulations for crane operation vary by state, city, and county even!

Operating a crane takes a skilled workers–preferably NCCCO certified, as well as the backing of a company such as Sheedy Crane that offers crane rental and operators in a comprehensive package for anyone looking to get a project done in an efficient and timely manner.

We’d like to go over a few general basics of crane safety hazards that take priority in looking out for.

Crane Safety Preparations

First and foremost, before the crane is even utilized, the contractor which is responsible for the operation of the crane must ensure that the equipment is fit for use. This means checking the load line, rigging and rigging accessories, to ensure they are adequate for the load that is to be imposed upon the equipment for the job.

Avoiding Environmental Hazards as a Crane Operator

Diligence is required to operate heavy machinery for any given job. Since cranes are used outside in construction sites, the most important thing is to have access to and awareness of the ground conditions that are present. Soil evaluations, maps of the area, as well as knowledge of any underground conditions are important. Nobody wants to have to fish a crane out of hole that collapsed because the grounds that were being dug up for the job were not meeting the proper criteria for operation.

Electrical hazards are equally prevalent in the common urban use case scenario for cranes. For a piece of equipment that swings a huge arm around, it seems apparent that one of the most pressing issues can be tripping power lines or hitting associated poles and towers when swinging the crane arm. There are minimum distances away from power lines that are required to be adhered to for safety as well as preventing accidental power outages and damage to the lines. Downed electrical lines are incredibly hazardous so all efforts to keep them isolated are taken.

Falling Loads and Overloading

If the proper steps had been followed when setting up and inspecting the mechanical aspects of the crane, ideally there would be minimal to no chance to of falling load being a risk. However, in reality there is a level of danger present to all construction work and crane operation. This is why it is crucial that no one be in the fall zone of any load being lifted as a precaution.

Overloading is also a major contributing factor to failure of crane accessories such as the slings. There are times when slings are accruing damage that may not be seen upon first inspection, learning to spot microtears and other signs of wear and tear are crucial, as the load integrity can only be maintained if all parts are functioning as they should.

Crane Safety – Working with a Reliable Crane Rental Company

You would like to think that all crane companies—or even companies peripherally involved with construction would be following OSHA guidelines to the T, but sadly the guidelines exist because companies DO break them. This is why it is important to deal with reputable companies such as Sheedy Crane that have been in business for 95 years in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Contact Sheedy Crane for all of your crane rental and operator needs. All of our operators are NCCO certified and provide the very best skills in executing your crane-based project needs.

Heavy construction equipment may be tough, but it’s not indestructible. When it comes time to find warehousing and storage for your equipment, there are certain steps you can take until it’s time to put your machinery back into service.

Read on to learn how to properly store your equipment and how a San Francisco warehousing and storage company can help keep it safe.

Climate Issues

If the weather gets too cold, or too hot, it can harm your equipment. For example, when it gets cold, you run the risk of:

Loss of tire pressure
Battery discharge, making equipment start-up more difficult
Fluids becoming thick — brake fluids, transmission, hydraulics, etc. — keeping them from functioning correctly.

And in hot and dry weather, look out for:

Rubber components such as gaskets and hoses deteriorating or breaking
Excessive wear and tear on mechanical components, causing them to degrade much sooner than expected
Evaporating water in batteries, which leads to starting issues

Getting your equipment ready for warehousing & storage

Whether you’ve reached the end of the construction season or just the end of a project, the time might come for your machinery to take a break. Improper storage can lead to damage, project delays and unanticipated repair costs.

You can prevent these problems by taking these steps:

Clean away dirt and debris, which can lead to damage or blockages or cause components to degrade.
Make sure any moving parts are lubricated according to the owner’s manual. While you’re at it, tighten any screws and nuts to make sure they’re securely in place.
If you’re dealing with wheeled machinery, check the tires to make sure they have enough pressure. Keeping them slightly over-inflated can prevent them from going flat overtime. You can also consider lifting the tires with a jack or storing wheeled machinery on top of treated lumber or railroad ties.
If you see any chipped areas, paint over them to guard against rust.
If you’re storing winter equipment at the start of spring, drain the fuel tank to keep rust and gum deposits from forming. If you’re putting away warm weather machinery into storage at the start of winter, leave the tank full to prevent condensation from getting into the fuel lines when the spring thaw arrives.
Use lock-out/tag-out procedures to ensure that machinery is safely turned off and employees are warned against using it.
Repair damaged machinery — no matter how minor that damage is — to make sure the equipment doesn’t degrade, saving you from more expensive repairs once the machinery is in use again.

Warehousing and Storage in San Francisco

Are you looking for a place to store your machinery? Turn to Sheedy Crane.

We can receive and store your equipment on either a long or short-term basis and haul it to your job site as needed.

With our San Francisco warehousing & storage service, you’ll get:

Secure open and covered storage
Customized plans for larger and long-term projects
Handling for a wide range of equipment, including HVAC units, boilers, chillers, tanks and generators

With locations at the Port of San Francisco and Port of Stockton, Sheedy Crane can help your company store your machinery safely until you’re ready to use it. Contact us today to learn more.

Safety in the workplace is not only a good idea; it’s mandatory under most workplace safety regulations.

In the US, the requirements fall under the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), and the associated standards and regulations.

Because of the dangerous nature of construction sites, they are hotbeds of problems awaiting an OSHA inspector.

Cranes are one area where there are a lot of potential risks. Guess what? Being proactive in your approach to safety will head them off at the pass, and significantly reduce the chances of anything disastrous happening to your staff or equipment onsite.

Appointment of a Safety Officer

It’s mandatory to have a safety officer appointed responsible for the site. The safety officer should complete daily checks of all at-risk areas to identify hazards.
Identifying hazards is an important preventative measure for reducing risks.

Development of Procedures

The next important part of site safety regulations is developing proper compliant procedures for crane operation.

These are the responsibility of the employer or contractor. All personnel must be aware of the procedures, and operate according to their specifications.

Crane Operation Specific Risks

The federal regulation guidelines are rather complex when it comes to cranes and derricks, as one would expect with the nature of the equipment. The following details some of the key areas that are covered by the regulations. It is by no means a comprehensive list!

This is merely food for thought regarding what needs to be in place before crane operation can commence.

Applicable Regulations

The OSH Act, and Regulation Standard 29 CFR parts 1910, 1917-1919, 1926 apply to workplace safety and construction sites, with many subsections specifically detailing the operation of cranes along with risks of overhead loads, heavy lifting, and falls.

All crane operators must comply with the requirements of these standards.

Signals

A system of warning is needed to indicate to workers when overhead loads are in progress.

Fall Protection

A barrier system is needed to prevent access to areas where overhung loads may cause a problem. Compliant lifting platforms must be used where personnel are to be hoisted.

Ground Conditions, Assembly and Disassembly

The employer must have procedures for proper assembly and disassembly, and for assessing ground conditions. Competent and qualified persons must perform all work.

The procedures will include ensuring brake testing and application prior to movement, security of all attachment points, and the stability of footings, among other items.

Crane Operation Qualifications

All operations and maintenance personnel must be properly trained. The regulations define what is required to be considered a competent person, and a qualified person when it comes to crane operation.

Securing Loads

Attention by qualified persons to properly securing loads prior to lifting is of vital importance.

Everyone is Involved in Safety

A safety management system that is proactive ensures that all employees and contractors have a stake in the safety process. Having a vested interest means that employees are encouraged to identify hazards and suggest solutions.

Those completing the work often have a far better knowledge of what is safe and unsafe in their own jobs. Workers are also usually very understanding of the need for efficiency from commercial pressure, so solutions will often involve streamlining of processes while improving safety.

Once they have received proper safety training and have been provided with guidance on safety attitudes, workers can help improve safety processes, moving the operation from reactive to proactive, making it an OSHA inspectors dream.

Seek Expert Assistance

If you’re not sure about the adequate safety of your crane and the workplace environment, the best solution is to seek professional assistance from an industry expert, like Sheedy Crane. Contact us today with your questions.

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5 Safety Tips From San Francisco Crane Operators