Riggers Crane and Construction Safety

Construction Site Riggers Crane Safety

Cranes are a critical asset to many construction sites.  They make lifting and transporting heavy objects far easier.  Naturally, with such heavy machinery come inherit risks.

As per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, crane operators must be certified in order to work on construction sites.  Crane operators, or riggers, may receive certification through 3rd party organizations or through their employer, if the employer is qualified to train operators.

Maintenance, repair, and signal persons must also be certified.

Once more, all construction and crane equipment must be expected monthly.  All hazardous, unsanitary or dangerous conditions to employees must me identified and measures taken to resolve them.

Riggers must prepare job sites according to OSHA standards.

The standards include:

1. Ground is firm and level.  OSHA mandates ground conditions must be drained and graded before a crane can be assembled.  Supporting materials, including blocks, mats, and cribbing should be used.
2. Tower cranes and  telescopic cranes need to be able to rotate a full 360 degrees.  Make sure there are no power lines or buildings in the path of the crane.
3. Over 50 percent of accidents involving cranes are the result of no properly using outriggers.
4. Ensure access roads are provided with adequate room

Employee Safety Walking on Cranes

Injuries often occur from employees walking on and off the equipment.  Lattice boom cranes require employees to walk on the boom in order to install pins for assembly/disassembly.  Equipment manufactured after 11/8/2011 must have built in walkways.  However, equipment and cranes built before that date do not.  So employers must provide fall protection.  In addition, walking and stepping surfaces must have slip resistant features. Extra precaution should be taken in muddy areas.

Rigging Precautions

Additional safety measures must be taken when rigging a crane.  Serious damage and injuries can occur otherwise.  Any rigging work must be performed by qualified riggers.  follow these tips to prevent claims while rigging on construction sites.

1.  Create a rigging schedule.  Avoid rigging above or close to areas where other work is being performed.
2. Never exceed the maximum lifting capacity of a crane
3. Equipment and materials should not be suspended on hook for extended periods of time
4. Only hooks with self closing latches should be used
5. Inspect chains and straps before every job.