Crane operations involve many complexities and risks, which makes it very challenging for construction companies to ensure safety on a job site. This is particularly true when it comes to larger projects; some lifts can be extremely dangerous and fall under the category of a critical lift. This means that there are both complex processes and intricacies involved that could potentially compromise worker safety.
In this blog, we’ll briefly discuss how to prepare for a critical lift during the planning stage. Let’s begin!
What is a critical lift?
A critical lift refers to a crane operation that involves increased risk factors and, therefore, one that has no margin for error.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a crane operation that either requires more than one crane or has a load that exceeds 75 percent of the crane’s maximum capacity qualifies as a critical lift.
Having said that, any crane operation that involves the use of non-standard crane configurations or those that are at risk of encountering special hazards come under the umbrella of a critical lift as well.
Planning a critical lift
Every crane operation requires extensive planning to go smoothly, but this is especially true for a critical lift. A certified and qualified professional needs to monitor the process, and they need to understand the intricacies and hazards involved in crane operations. Before the lift, they need to develop an effective critical lift plan that includes all the risk factors involved in complex crane operations.
Like any other safety procedure, a critical lift plan should be prepared in document form and needs to be communicated to all individuals involved in the project. The plan will consider several factors, including crane configurations, radius, ground conditions, load size, weight, and more.
In addition to that, it will take into account any environmental and weather conditions that could affect the lifting operations. A detailed plan that mitigates all risk factors as determined by past historical data and projections will minimize the risk of accidents and ensure safe lifting operations
Final takeaway
A critical lift requires specific guidelines to be in place. It also calls for extra resources and preparation to ensure faultless execution. Even a small error can lead to a catastrophe and result in adverse consequences. Therefore, it’s crucial to have the right personnel as well as the right safety equipment to ensure things go according to plan
Buy Quality Crane Safety Equipment
Crane Warning Systems Atlanta is a top RaycoWylie distributer in the United States. We offer top-quality RaycoWylie Load Indicator, crane safety equipment, including load indicator systems, wireless wind speed indicators, two-way radios, and more. To learn more about our crane safety products, give us a call at 1-877-672-2951.