Page 74 - Occupational Health & Safety, July/August 2019

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY
How to ChooseYthe Right Crane and Reduce Risk When Buying a Used One
BY VERNON GLICK
ou can find several different cranes designed them firmly to the ground. It is the most crucial el- for a specific function. However, choosing ement that stabilizes the crane and the load. So you the right one from a plethora of options is a will need to choose a suitable crane depending on the daunting task, especially for a novice. Don’t terrain. For uneven terrain, you will have to choose
worry! In this article, are six tips for choosing the right crane for your project.
1. Check the Load Weight to Be Lifted
One of the first things you need to consider is the weight of the load to be lifted or moved using the crane. Naturally, you need a crane with a suitable lift- ing capacity to move the load. If you use a high-capac- ity crane for a small load, you will most likely end up wasting time, labor, and money. On the other hand, a low-capacity crane can lead to fatal accidents and cause damage to the load. You also will need to de- termine what type of load you are going to move. The success of your project depends on it. For example, moving a liquid-filled tank will require special lifting conditions compared to moving a concrete block or a heavy machine. In short, the type of load will define the lifting services you need, which in turn will deter- mine the type of crane you have to select.
2. Know the Lift Height
The height of the lifting load is as critical as the load capacity of the crane. The length of the crane’s boom will depend on how high the loading material needs to go. If the construction is vertical, you will need a lift with a longer boom length. Plus, you will need to check the weather conditions, particularly the wind. The higher the lift height, the more likely that wind will sway the load, and this may lead to potential ac- cidents. You also will need to adjust the amount of counterweight according to the lift height. Usually, a tower crane is the most likely option for higher lift height requirements.
3. Find the Moving Distance (Horizontal)
Just like the vertical distance, the crane also will need to travel some horizontal distance to pick up the load. If you need the crane to transport the equipment from one spot to the other, you will need to get a mobile crane with wheels. If there is a fixed path of move- ment, you can use a crane with rails. The three pri- mary factors, including the counterweight, support structure, and stability of the boom, will play a critical role in traveling this distance safely. Check the rated load weight for the crane. It determines the appropri- ate distance between the load at the end of the hook and the base of the crane.
4. Evaluate the On-Site Terrain
All types of cranes require a support structure to hold
the support width with careful consideration. If the terrain is rough (like on most off-road construction sites), you should use rough-terrain cranes specially designed for the same. For flat and firm terrains, us- ing truck-mounted cranes is the best way to ensure mobility as well as stability.
5. Evaluate Access to the Project Site
Is the project site easily accessible for the crane? You would naturally want to drive and drop the crane off on the site. However, in the real world, you will en- counter several obstacles, rules and regulations, and safety issues. Not all project sites will have paved ac- cess roads that are large enough to fit a crane. You will need to get creative when choosing the crane if the access to the site is restricted or challenging. For ex- ample, you can use a boom truck or a crane suited for rough terrain for hard-to-reach project sites.
6. Check Possible Safety Issues
This involves a two-fold inspection. You will need to inspect not only the crane, but also its surroundings for potential safety hazards. You also may consider hiring a local crane inspector for the job because these people might know local weather conditions, site ter- rain, and regulations by heart. In other words, a crane inspection service in Houston will do a far better job if your project site is located in Alief. Along with crane safety, you will need to take the potential obstacles into account, as well. You are likely to face several dif- ferent types of obstacles when moving the crane to and around the site. These obstacles include overhead power cables, streetlight poles, overhead catwalks and scaffolds, buildings, and tall trees, among others. These are potential hazards that can cause accidents and damage to the load. If there are too many obsta- cles, getting a crane with good radio controls and a trained operator will be your best bet.
Parting Words
The right type of crane can make or break your proj- ect. Hopefully, these seven tips will help you make the right choice as quickly as possible. However, this is by no means an exhaustive list.
Vernon Glick (vernonglick@gmail.com) is an experi- enced and passionate writer and blogger by profession with years of experience in delivering unique and high- quality content. He keeps exploring the web and loves to do in-depth research on topics related to people’s safety.
68 Occupational Health & Safety | JULY/AUGUST 2019
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