Crane Safety Tips

Crane safety procedures on a construction worksite can save lives and prevent serious injuries. Cranes that are located on top of high buildings are also at risk of injuring pedestrians below in a potential tip-over accident. There are multiple safety concerns that are important to crane use, including full knowledge of how much the crane can lift. If the operator attempts to lift a weight that is above what the crane can lift, this can create a tipping hazard.  Other tips to ensure crane safety include:

• Have safety checklists in place. These checklists remind operators of safety steps and safe operating procedures. These cards should be very visible, durable, and colorful with short bullet points of safety procedures associated with that crane or worksite. This safety step protects the operators and other employees on the worksite.
• Avoid timelines that can make employees on the worksite feel rushed. If operators are feeling rushed, they will be more likely to make careless mistakes and stray from safety protocols. If construction is behind the timeline, the team should communicate on whether the timeline can be moved to avoid accidents.
• Ensure the crane is as close as feasible to the load being lifted. This will reduce the potential for the crane tipping or for the load to come crashing down in an unexpected area.
• Ensure that the stabilizers are fully deployed. This is one of the main practices that can prevent tipping. Many accidents occur when operators do not take the time to deploy stabilizers or they are not grounded properly.
• Operators must conduct a visual inspection of site conditions. Is the weather conducive to optimal operation? Is there excessive wind or precipitation that could hinder the vision of the operator or other employees? The weather and other physical features of the worksite are important factors to consider at all times while work is underway to determine if work should be halted due to safety risks.
• Ensure that ground workers are not near the crane operation area or beneath the area where the load is being lifted. Make markings and proper communication between workers key to maintaining a safe operating perimeter for the crane.
• Workers must have proper certifications to operate the crane. Employees could try to cut corners to put inexperienced operators behind the controls of a crane for a moment just to complete one task. This should never occur since accidents can happen at any moment and other liability issues and problems arise when inexperienced operators have accidents.

Cherry Hill Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at DiTomaso Law Help Workers Injured by Cranes on the Job

If you suffered a work accident, the Cherry Hill Workers’ Compensation lawyers at DiTomaso Law can evaluate your claim. We will review the facts of your accident and obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve for your injuries. Located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout South Jersey, including Mt. Holly and Camden County. Call us today at 856-414-0010 or contact us online for a free consultation.