Crane Rigging: Three Fundamental Precautions for Lifting Loads Safely

If you are planning on using a crane for handling large loads in your industrial, commercial and construction worksite, you should choose a qualified rigging contractor. The success of this type of operation depends on the skill and experience of the crane operators. If your riggers are not qualified, you could lose valuable loads, and the worksite will be unsafe. In addition to hiring a qualified contractor, consider these guidelines for ensuring safety when lifting loads.

Inspect the Equipment

You should ensure that the equipment for your rigging operations is in good condition before lifting loads. Often, accidents occur due to underlying damage in the crane. If the problems are not detected and addressed before machinery use, serious accidents could occur. Therefore, check the condition of the equipment when beginning lifting processes. The right procedure will depend on the specific type of machinery on your site, so check your manual.

The standard forms of inspection for crane equipment are pre-start, engine and safety system checks. The pre-start assessment involves looking at the general components like rigging slings, crane body and towers before starting the equipment. The engine check ensures that machinery's elements, like gauges, suspension systems and fuel-linked parts, are working. Safety system checks evaluate the state of controls and emergency components.

Evaluate the Environment

The operating environment will determine safety during lifting works. In simple terms, some accidents will occur during rigging because of external factors. Therefore, you must evaluate the working conditions and manage potential hazards. For example, overhead power lines are problematic when lifting loads because they limit clearance height. You should always consider the options for avoiding obstacles during your project. For example, you could change the worksite or establish a plan for lifting while minimising the risks. Moreover, where possible, avoid lifting operations in hazardous weather conditions. For instance, inclement weather could reduce visibility, increase equipment stress and cause load instability.

Check the Load Weight

The load rating is the most obvious and most critical consideration for safe rigging. Keep in mind that the components of a crane, including the slings and hydraulic components, have a maximum weight rating. If you attempt to raise a load that exceeds the machinery's capabilities, the components will experience a lot of wear. For example, the slings could become weaker and more susceptible to fraying and even snapping. Therefore, you must check your load weight before using your crane.

Rigging operations are dangerous, complicated and time-consuming for people without experience. Therefore, choose professional contractors for your lifting tasks to ensure great results.