Upgrades and Safety Innovations to Heavy Construction Equipment

Safety When Rigging Cranes

30 September 2020

Veronica Leon

Crane riggers are in charge of installing and dismantling cranes, attaching loads and inspecting the crane, loads and site to prevent accidents when using the crane. This article discusses some safety measures to observe during rigging. 

Qualifications

Rigging should be conducted by skilled professionals. In Australia, there are three classes of rigging licences. These are the basic, intermediate and advanced rigging licences. The rigger does not perform rigging work that exceeds his or her class of licence. Additionally, the rigger should have a high-risk licence. 

Crane Inspection

The rigger should inspect the crane to ascertain its mechanical condition. Below are some crane inspection tips: 

• The crane's boom should extend to its full limit. Additionally, the equipment should not have any leaks in its hydraulic system.
• The rigger should inspect the crane's hoist, hooks and wires. If they are worn-out, the load could fall off.
• Check the crane's frame for signs of cracks and bends.
• The riggers should check the crane's engine to ensure it does not have oil leaks, ignition or transmission problems.
• Check the crane's electrical components, such as switches and controller contractors.
• The crane's safety features, such as the limit switches, anti-collision sensors, slow down limits and sway control, should be fully functional.  

Site Inspection

The rigger should conduct a site inspection to determine a suitable crane. For instance, rough terrain cranes would be ideal if the crane will work in off-road conditions. The rigger should also assess the loads and the height at which the crane will work. Further, he or she should inspect the site for hazards such as unstable soil, underground gas lines and low-lying electrical cables. On a daily basis, the rigger should conduct a weather forecast to know whether the crane is safe to use. The rigger should also identify and mark the crane's blind spots. 

Communication

The rigger should should convene a meeting between site personnel and the crane operator to brief them on the accepted communication channels. For instance, they could use flags or walkie-talkies. Besides, the site should have a command chain to ensure timely communication between workers and the rigger. 

Crane Operation

During crane operation, the rigger will inspect the loads to ensure they do not exceed the crane's operating limit. Besides, the rigger will signal the operator when to lift or lower the load. He or she will also be on the lookout for hazards such as strong winds. 

Crane rigging ensures safety when using cranes. Riggers will inspect the crane and the site, develop communication protocols and guide the operator when using the crane. 

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