CRANES

Identification and Capacity

The manufacturer must issue a Test Certificate for every
crane he produces, identifying it and specifying the Safe
Working Load (SWL) which must be clearly marked on
the Crane structure.

Safe Working Load

In large organisations which have their own
system of plant identification it should relate to
the Manufacturer’s Certificate.
Identification
Number
 Maintenance
Apart form Statutory Inspections, Cranes should be
inspected regularly by the user’s own staff and
preventative maintenance schedules followed. Records
should be kept of these checks and of any work done,
especially if it is in response to a Statutory Inspection
requirement.
 Safety Measures
To protect both the Operator and the Crane itself, a
number of safety devices are incorporated in the design
of the Crane and these include :
 1) Overtravel Switches
To prevent the hook or sheave block from being
raised right up to the cable drum, a robust limit
switch should be fitted to the crab or upper
sheave block. Checks of this limit switch should
be included in routine inspections.

NO
 2) Protection of Bare
Conductors
Where bare pick-up conductors are used to carry
the power supply they must be shielded form
accidental contact particularly if near cabin access.
Suitably worded notices, e.g. WARNING – BARE
LIVE WIRES, should be posted on the walls or
building structure. The power supply isolating
switch posted on the walls or building structure. The
power supply isolating switch should be provided
with means for locking-off during maintenance
work.
 3) Controls
The controls of Cranes, whether cabin, pendant or radio,
should be clearly identified to prevent inadvertent
operation. On Overhead Electric Travelling (OET)
cranes with electric pendant controls the directions of
travel should be unambiguously marked. Controls
should be of the ‘Dead-Man’ type.
 4) Load Indicators
Load Indicators are required to be fitted to jib cranes and can be
used with benefit on all cranes.
There are two types :
A) A load / radius indicator that shows the radius at which the
crane is working and the safe load at that radius. It must be
clearly visible to the driver.
B) An automatic Safe Load Indicator that warns, either visually or
audibly, that the load is approaching the maximum safe level
or that it has exceeded that value.
 5) Safety Catches
Wherever practicable, crane hooks should be fitted with
safety catches9 to prevent slings, chains, ropes, etc. from
‘jumping’ off the hook.

NO!
 6) Emergency Escape
Where, on travelling cranes, access to the cab is not an
integral part of the crane, suitable escape equipment should
be provided to enable the driver to reach the ground quickly
and safety in an emergency.
7) Safe means of access should be provided to enable:
a) the Driver to reach his operating position;
b) the necessary inspections and maintenance
work to be carried out safely.
 8) Operating Position
The arrangement of the driver’s cab should ensure:
a) a clear view of the operating area and loads;
b) all controls are easily reached by the driver
without the need for excessive movements of arms
or legs;
c) all controls are clearly marked as to their
function and method of operation.
 9) Passengers
No one, other than the driver, should be allowed on the
Crane when it is operating unless there is a special
reason for being there and it has been authorised.
‘Riding the hook’ is prohibited but should it be necessary
to carry persons, the properly designed and approved
chair or cradle should be used.
Harness to be
clipped to hook
of crane NOT to
basket.

Man Basket must be of an

approved type.
(Bureau veritas inspected)
 10) Safe Working Load
All cranes should be marked with their Safe Working
Load which must never be exceeded except for test
purposes. If there is any doubt of the weight to be lifted,
advice should be sought.
 Crane Operations
With many cranes including overhead electric travelling,
mobile jib and Construction Tower Cranes, the safe
moving of loads relies on team effort involving the driver,
slinger and sometimes a separate Signaller (or
Banksman).
Only one person, the Signaller or if there is no Signaller
the Slinger, should give signals to the Driver and these
should be clearly understood by both. Slingers, Signallers
and Driver should be properly trained, medically fit and
of a steady disposition.

Steady Disposition !
 Safe operating techniques for Cranes
There are certain basic techniques that must be practiced
to ensure the safest possible operation of the Crane.
These techniques include:
1) The driver carrying out a brief check of the
Crane at the beginning of his shift. The items
checked may vary in different factories, but they
should be agreed locally.
2) Loads should NOT be left hanging on the hook at the
end of a shift.

3) Those working above floor level who are likely to be

struck by the crane or its load MUST BE WARNED.
4) The crane must not approach nearer than 7 meters to
anyone working on the trench.

7 meters
5) Loads should not be carried over people.
Assaluyeh Site Regulations state.
Drop zone (length of JIB radius) PLUS (+) 10 meters
MUST be barriered and vacated of ALL personnel.

Barrier =
r + 10m
6) Loads must be lifted vertically-the crane must not be
used to drag a load.
7) Power to the Crane should be switched off
when the Crane is left unattended.
Mobile jib Cranes present extra hazards in use.
Particular points requiring attention include:

8) The travelling height of the Crane with jib lowered and

raised should be marked on the Crane.
9) Overhead obstructions or hazards should be clearly
identified and marked with the maximum clearance
height.

10) Care should be taken to ensure that no one is trapped

by counter-balance weight, etc., as the crane slews.
11) The condition of the ground should be checked before
lifting with a mobile crane and it should not approach
close to excavations.
12) Tandem lifts should be avoided if possible. If they
must be undertaken, it must be by a fully trained gang
under the a Strict Control of a Competent Person.
Whilst work is in progress:
Check that there is an up-to- to-date Test Certificate.
 Check that the daily/weekly
inspections are being carried out.
Ensure that the Crane is operating from
planned / approved position only.
 Ensure that the Banksman is
working in the correct manner.
Ensure that the correct Lifting Gear is being used.
Ensure that outriggers are being used,
and are adequately supported.
Check that the safe load / radius indicator
is in working order.
Check that the Tyres / Tracks are at the correct
pressure and in good, clean condition.
 Check that the Crane is kept at a safe,
predetermined distance from open excavations, etc.
Check that, when travelling, the load is carried as near to
the ground as possible and that hand lines are being used.
Check that when travelling on sloping ground the
driver changes the radius to accommodate the moving
of the load OR !
Shock loading a Boom can result in this !
Fall of three people 20 m.

20 Meter
 Check that loads are not being slewed over
persons and that persons and that persons are
not standing or walking under the load.

NO!
 Automatic safe load indicator
All Cranes with a lifting capacity in excess of 1 ton
must be fitted with an approved type of automatic safe
load indicator.
It is the responsibility of the operator to:
(a) Determine the type of Indicator fitted;
(b) Determine how the adjustments are made;
(c) Ensure that it is correctly adjusted for the various
lifting duties;
(d) Ensure that the electrical circuit is tested for
serviceability;
(e) Take immediate action when an overload is indicated.
The signals given by the indicator take the form of coloured
light, a dial indicator or both and a bell.

Green/white -- Indicator adjusted for ‘free’ duties

Blue -- Indicator adjusted for ‘blocked’ duties

Amber -- Maximum safe load being approached

Red -- Overload condition reached.

The red light will be supported by a bell to
give an audible warning of overload.
Always use Tag Lines !
Certification
Certification
Certification