It is important to mark safety features for mobile cranes since they can cause significant property damage and even lead to severe injuries. You may believe mobile cranes are only used for moving and carrying loads. However, they are used for several other purposes. The crane market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, and its compound annual growth rate is at 5.8% between 2019 and 2026.
OSHA has done a lot of work to prioritize worker safety following the occurrence of many accidents and fatalities across several industries. Its guidelines, rules, and regulations have detailed how to safely use mobile cranes.
If you own a facility and use mobile cranes, you should consult OSHA's guidelines to avoid making any serious mistakes. As an employer, you will be held responsible for any mistakes you make that lead to health risks for your workers.
Let's explore some safety features for mobile cranes.
The Importance of Crane Inspections
One of the most common ways to minimize the chances of injuries and accidents is to conduct crane inspections. OSHA guidelines clearly state that a professional inspector must thoroughly examine mobile cranes every year. It also states that crane operators must be sufficiently trained to know when their cranes are working properly and when they need repair.
Before operators begin using cranes, they must conduct a pre-inspection that reveals any problems with the components. For example, the wheels, brakes, and gears must be well-lubricated and in working order. You must also have fire extinguishers near your site to address fire hazards. Since operators are driving a moving crane, they must also check its engine oil to ensure it works smoothly.
By conducting frequent inspections, you can minimize the possibility of any crane-related accidents occurring on your property.
Wear Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn by all staff members involved in construction or walking in operational zones. For example, safety boots, helmets, and bright overalls are necessary for several industries.
A helmet can protect you from falling object when working in the crane industry. Safety boots keep your feet safe since they are resilient and drop-resistant. Bright overalls provide high visibility so crane operators and other on-site personnel can easily see workers.
Failing to comply with these rules and regulations may result in heavy penalties and fines. As an employer, you are responsible for ensuring your staff is well-trained in following the safety rules and procedures.
However, it is worth noting that just because you're wearing the necessary PPE doesn't mean you'll be protected from danger. So, you should always pay attention to your environment to ensure you do not walk into an operational zone and collide with a mobile crane.
Rely on Visual Devices and Systems
One of the reasons why visual alarms are so popular in the crane industry is their effectiveness. Operational areas with crane-related activities are noisy. An audible alarm may not be useful in alerting nearby staff of incoming cranes.
For this reason, OSHA recommends using visual devices on mobile cranes so workers can see an incoming crane and move out of the way. These lights must be bright and easily noticed, which is the entire point of a warning system.
If the crane operator cannot see clearly due to obstructions, nighttime conditions, or weather, they can rely on others to direct operations. It is common for low visibility conditions to obstruct operations, increasing the reliance on cameras and radios for efficient communication between workers.
Choose to Also Use Audible Warning Devices
There's nothing quite like a good old-fashioned alarm. When a mobile crane is moving towards a particular zone while carrying a heavy object, its alarm can signal others to get out of the way. If the environment is particularly noisy, these audible warning devices can be paired with visual systems for a compounded effect.
Experts, such as safety engineers, can calculate ambient noise levels and determine how effective audible warning devices will be for your environment. Once you know your device's efficiency, you can use it on your mobile cranes to promote worker safety and minimize property damage. After all, you must pay for damages and repairs out of your own pockets.
ATB warning systems by RaycoWylie are excellent choices to improve your crane safety. You can easily equip your cranes with a bunch of devices and upgrades to ensure worker safety. These marked safety features play an important role in enhancing your site's safety and making it easy to work with mobile cranes. You can also choose reliable camera systems and radios to improve communication between operators and site professionals.
Choose the Best Company to Promote Crane Safety at Your Workplace
Crane Warning Systems Atlantaspecializes in improving crane safety at your facility. It has a variety of high-end RaycoWylie equipmentthat enhance your work environment and upgrade your cranes. For example, the I4000 indicator series, Anti two block switch systems, and camera systems are excellent safety features for mobile cranes.
Although OSHA guidelines differ for every state in America, you can expect this leading distributor to have everything you need to enhance your crane scale operations. You can contact them to get a quote and visit their website to learn more about the brands, products, and parts they specialize in.
Comments