crane safety Archives - Sheedy Crane

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August 16, 2020by elite0

It’s something we think about quite a bit in the world of California crane rental: crane safety.

And while equipment failure does play a role in crane mishaps, a majority of crane accidents are the result of human error.

According to OSHA, some of the most common crane accidents involve:

  • Contact with electrical lines and other power sources
  • Falls, which includes incidents where a crane overturns or the load being lifted falls
  • Poor communication

Let’s take a closer look at some of the safety issues you’ll need to consider during your California crane rental.

Electrical Issues

One of the biggest risk areas here is the route to the job site. It’s important to check the route ahead of time and keep an eye out for obstacles, noting the minimum clearance you’ll need to avoid power lines and power sources.

The same applies to power sources at or near the job site.  Try to de-energize power lines if possible, and always adhere to OSHA guidelines.

Falls

Some of the common causes of falls/overturns involving cranes include ignoring the load limits, improper loaning, and high winds.

You can prevent these accidents by:

  • Never exceeding load capacity guidelines
  • Properly centering each load and placing slings so the load is secured. Taglines can control the swing and rotation of the load
  • Check ground conditions on the site for saturated, freezing or thawing soil.
  • Consult load charts to determine the crane’s maximum load capacity
  • Tape off the area around and beneath the lift for added security
  • Low wind speeds are optimal for crane use. Pay attention to weather conditions, keeping an eye out for unexpected changes. Cease operating if bad weather is anticipated or develops nearby.

Communications

Crane accidents can result from a lack of communication. Check equipment every day and make sure everyone involved with using the crane is briefed on their jobs.

A safe workplace is one where workers follow existing safety procedures and regularly check their environment for potential threats.

These are good rules to follow to make sure your employees, customers, vendors and visitors remain safe during crane operation.

It’s vital that you know the specifications, procedures and operating characteristics for the crane you’ve chosen, as each make and model is different.

Picking the right crane for each job is essential, as is making sure each crane and related equipment are properly maintained.

California Crane Rental from Sheedy Crane

There’s no room for error when working with heavy machinery such as cranes. Still, not every company involved in crane operations adheres to OSHA’s guidelines, which is why it’s important to  work with a reputable California crane rental company such as Sheedy Crane.

We’ve been operating in the San Francisco Bay Area for nearly 100 years and can meet all your crane rental and operator needs.

Our crane operators are all NCCO certified and can provide the skills you need to finish your crane-based projects.

Trust our experts to make sure you’re using the right equipment and that it’s being operated in a way that keeps everyone safe. Contact us today to learn more.


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May 21, 2020by elite0

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.


415-648-7171