OSHAs (Occupational Safety and Health Administrations) crane safety specifications have literally remained unchanged for more than five decades. This past year (2016), we witnessed the enhancement of the safety and training opportunities existing in the gantry crane industry, especially where overhead lifting is concerned. The recently renewed 5-year alliance between the CHMA (Crane, Hoist, and Monorail Alliance) and OSHA enabled this enhancement.
In following the example that these industry organizations have set, here are several helpful tips that will increase crane safety on your project or in your facility:
Conduct your inspections prior to the start of an operators shift no matter what type of cranes you have in your facility or on your project, make sure that every operator understands all applicable local, state, national, and OSHA inspection requirements. This applies to the machinery they are operating while ensuring that all products are compliant prior to each work shift.
Create a pre-planned inspection schedule this will ensure the functionality of your equipment through the application of preventative maintenance. Having an inspection schedule also ensures fewer breakdowns and compliance with safety regulations.
Develop inspection guidelines for the cranes and hoists you are utilizing by implement these guidelines, you can train crane operators on the proper use of their equipment as well as safety protocols.
Implement lockout procedures youll be able to safeguard your workers by having a lockout procedure in place. These procedures involve cutting off the power sources for your equipment before performing any preventative maintenance or repairs. As a further precautionary measure, it also prevents accidental operation from energy that has been stored and the risk of injury as well.
Know the limitations of your equipment in addition to payload capacity, every employee should know the load limits of each crane being used on your project or in your facility. This helps to minimize accidents and enhances productivity.
Read the operations manuals provided by the crane manufacturer although this makes good sense, its vital that every crane operator read this manual. Youll add an extra level of safety through the implementation of this practice. It will help enhance safety at the workplace which is an essential criterion to minimize mishaps.
By implementing these practices and taking the necessary precautions, youll be able to increase the safety of your workplace every day. Furthermore, the partnership formed by the CHMA and OSHA demonstrates their confidence in the alliance as a trusted resource in the ongoing effort to enhance every trade workers safety.
In a recently published article in “EHS Todayâ€, Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor under OSHA, stated how this alliance with CHMA has been an invaluable way to eliminating or at least reducing the number of serious and even fatal accidents in the rigging industry. This is especially true where materials handling is concerned.
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