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People are an integral part of crane operations. Some of the most massive cranes, capable of lifting entire train cars off rails, are controlled by two human fingers on a joystick. Because individual lives are involved in what could be a very dangerous occupation, safety must be at the forefront of every task. Good crane operators will be able to understand each job in order to choose the right kind of crane or hoist. Cranes and hoists are designed to safely move loads at specific weight ratings. Written guidelines, created by manufacturers, describe loads and weights for each piece of equipment, which further assist the operator in choosing correct hooks and chains. A thorough inspection of all the equipment involved before beginning each job can prevent a devastating accident. These are a few of the good-practice safety guidelines that crane crews observe when operating cranes: • restrict people in the lifting environment • use a crane to lift only loads and not people • ease a load into motion slowly while making a visual safety check • lift loads straight off the ground to prevent uncontrolled swinging • assure the load is balanced • stay with a load that is suspended • develop skill in estimating weights of various materials in a load A well-trained crew of crane operators and experienced maintenance workers will preserve a company’s investment. Whether they are alerting coworkers to a weak chain link or assuring the stockroom has overhead crane parts, people working together to move those otherwise unmanageable items keep American industry moving on time.
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