Crane operations pose a high risk to the adjacent areas as they are used for lifting heavy loads and transporting utilities at elevations that could reach up to 70 - 80 meters from their bases. Operating at such heights carries various risks and hazards that could harm people and damage properties.
The hazards include equipment failure, overloading, crane tilting or misbalancing, falling loads, human errors, and many others.
Equipment failure or malfunction can result from mechanical failure, poor maintenance, poor planning, or operating equipment outside of its safe limits or intended lifting design.
Overloading the equipment beyond its intended capacity is especially dangerous at high elevations and in windy conditions. As the elevation of the load increases, the control over the load diminishes, causing failures in the lever’s hydraulics, wires snapping, and equipment tipping, tilting, or collapsing.
On average, a crane can lift anywhere from 10,000 to 60,000 tons. The result of these loads falling is devastating and could result in mechanical failure, load destruction, and injuries.
Poor lift plan by either using the equipment outside of their designed lifting methods or using multiple cranes without a pre-set plan to avoid congestion and overlapping. Operating with electrical equipment could impose the risk of electrocutions when the crane boom or cable accidentally contacts a power line.
High winds, cliffs, landslides, poor soil conditions, slopes, and storms are all hazards.
Natural and environmental hazards pose a huge risk to the lifting operation as storms and poor conditions affect the stability of the crane and compromise lifting operation.
Human operators and spotters either equipment based or ground based operate the crane. As a result, a margin of human error exists that could be a result of miscommunication, lack of training, or lack of coordination.
Lifting activities should be well planned, managed, and executed within the safe equipment limits; to mitigate the hazards, minimize the loss exposure, and reduce the risks that could result in property damage, human injuries, and death.
Proper crane safety techniques practiced by crane operators, maintenance personnel, and other employees continue to be of critical importance in minimizing the number of accidents. The proper operation of the crane should be practiced no matter how frequently the crane is used.
For additional information, refer to ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems.