Cranes are heavy machinery that should be operated with skill and care. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2011 to 2017, 43% of fatal work injuries involved cranes. When these machines are not handled carefully, the results can be catastrophic. For those using a crane rental, it’s even more important that you avoid mistakes because the equipment doesn’t belong to you. Let’s look at some common mistakes you should try to avoid.
Overloading
Overloading the crane is a common mistake that can damage the equipment. It’s estimated that 80% of accidents involving cranes are a result of overloading, states OSHA. Although it’s a very dangerous practice, people continue to take this risk in hopes of speeding up job completion. Shaving off a few hours on a job timeline isn’t worth running the risk of a crane accident or injury, though.
Electrical Line Proximity
Another common and dangerous mistake is operating the crane too closely to electrical lines. If a crane comes into contact with electrical lines, it could result in the electrocution of operators. To a lesser degree, it could also result in widespread power outages. Ultimately, these types of accidents will contribute to a negative reputation for your company.
Lack of Proper Inspection
Many crane accidents are also the result of improper preparation. Cranes should be thoroughly inspected before use; this is a preventive step that could help you avoid problems altogether. During an inspection, you should be looking for damaged parts, broken wires, loose cables, damaged hooks, and latches. The brake system should be checked as well.
Operation in Poor Weather Conditions
Cranes shouldn’t be operated in bad weather. Lightning strikes can endanger operators and damage the crane. Heavy rains can also cause cranes to get stuck or flooded. It’s tempting to continue to work despite the poor weather conditions to keep a project on schedule. However, you should remember that being behind schedule isn’t dangerous while operating a crane in poor conditions is.
Lack of Training
Failing to train crane operators sufficiently is also a huge risk. Crane operation requires careful training and skills. It’s better to slow down your project schedule to accommodate proper training than it is to run the risk of improper crane operation.
These are just a few mistakes you should watch out for with crane operation. If you’re in need of a crane rental, please contact our dependable team at Skyline Crane Rental today.
