Overhead Crane Safety - Four Major Hazards And Preventative Measures
In the manufacturing and construction industries, overhead cranes lift and transport necessary materials for a wide range of applications. When installed and used properly, these systems facilitate safer, and more efficient operations. However, improper installation and usage can cause accidents that result in severe injury to life and limb. The following analysis of each hazard provides a description, potential risks, reasons why accidents occur, and preventative measures to avoid them. 1. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS About 50% of all overhead crane accidents that happen can be attributed to machinery coming into contact with a power source of some kind during operation. Typically, why this occurs is because, as a crane moves materials close to or beneath energized power lines, the hoist line or boom gets into contact with the electrical source. Safety planning that is effective can be done before the cranes even get to the worksite. It is important to establish who will be in charge