On the interaction between cranes and operators.
Major hazards and how we can avoid them
Overhead cranes and, generally, all types of cranes and products from our sector are dedicated to a very wide range of users, from manufacturing industries to the construction sector, lifting and transporting the necessary materials for an extremely wide range of uses and applications. And when these lifting machines are installed and used correctly, these systems facilitate and optimize client operations under maximum safety conditions. However, at the same time, their improper installation and use can cause accidents leading to serious injuries, and the solution to prevent this type of incident is to recognize their sources so that operators and those who interact daily with these systems better understand how to avoid them.
In the following lines, we want to highlight some major dangers that are closely related to crane installation and use, but also to refer to recommended safety procedures to minimize their impact or avoid them altogether.
Studies conducted over time have shown that most accidents involving overhead cranes and aerial cranes originate from one of these causes:
Excessive Load – International occupational safety agencies estimate that 80% of all crane accidents and failures result from exceeding the crane’s rated capacity. Overloading can cause significant damage to the overhead crane or crane, decreasing structural integrity and often leading to major failure. Once these occur, crane operators and nearby personnel can be injured by falling lifted objects or failing parts. Overloading can occur in several ways, namely:
a.) Handling a load greater than the crane’s capacity;
b.) The load swinging, sliding, or suddenly falling;
c.) Major side loading, when the load’s center of gravity is not directly perpendicular under the crane.
Thus, for all overhead crane or crane operators, understanding these main causes of overloading and how to avoid them requires thorough training, including with crane and overhead crane manufacturers. Such training is all the more useful as, in recent years, new technologies have allowed the installation of safety systems that monitor and control this type of error, warning the operator or even blocking the machine if the command risks endangering the load and operator, or if it risks damaging important crane components.
However, even these control and lockout equipment for danger situations also require periodic checks, which must be performed by qualified personnel, so that they can continue to function correctly, ensuring the safety of those working alongside such lifting systems. Our company, LIFSOR Lifting Machines SRL, provides these types of checks, as well as a training regimen that includes knowledge of load handling capacity principles and lifting for each type of machine in different operating modes and conditions.
And to maintain the highest safety standards, our equipment can be monitored and controlled by HoistSense, an advanced electronic system that constantly keeps track of usage, loading, and critical incidents. This system ensures increased operational efficiency, continuous overload protection by measuring the load gauge and displaying loads in real-time. And one of the most important functions of this system is that it allows for optimal exploitation over time because it collects monthly data on incidents and can warn with notifications and alarms about approaching preventive maintenance periods, thus making the work of operators and owners of such equipment much easier.
International occupational safety agencies estimate that 80% of all crane accidents and failures result from exceeding the crane’s rated capacity.
(To be continued…)
