Establish the crane’s useful purpose
Before you delve into the nitty gritty details of your project with your crane operator, you need to establish the main purpose for which the crane will be used. Is it a mini crane for a renovation on your home? Perhaps it’s a bigger job, and you need steel beams lifted to aid in the development of a large building or hotel. Whatever the purpose, make sure you communicate clearly and directly with.
Assess the work conditions
It’s crucial to discuss the workplace conditions with your crane operator. These include the ground on which the crane will be set up. Does the environment location of the crane pose any risk or danger? For example, will the environment be rough, muddy, sloping or uneven? It’s also important to talk about the wind conditions, the relevant access roads, and ramps, as well as any other obstacles that may hinder operation. Crane safety is absolutely paramount, so it’s important that you and your crane operator satisfactorily assess the work conditions to minimise any potential threat or risk.
Discuss the weights and loads that are going to be used
The weights and dimensions of loads to be lifted are a key aspect of the job. Ensure you have a clear and detailed dialogue with your crane operator so you are both on the exact same page about this. As well as this, it’s vital that you touch on the location of the loads relative to the crane. It’s also a good idea to discuss the structure of the crane, mechanical power source, electrical and hydraulic systems, moving parts and load carrying capacity. Do any of these factors pose a risk to the crane’s operation?
Number and frequency of lifts
This might seem like an obvious one, but it’s absolutely essential that you discuss with your crane operator the number and frequency of lifts you are going to require. You should also talk about the possibility of loads going to be suspended for a long period of time, and how you’re going to deal with that situation should it arise unexpectedly.
Type of lifting required
Another key factor that you need to talk over with your crane operator is the type of lifting required, as well as the height at which loads will be lifted. It’s important to remember that components of the crane could suffer from structural failure at any moment without warning. This could be the jib, boom, hydraulic arms or wire arms. It could also be a result of overloading the crane, gradual deterioration or lack of maintenance.
It is in each crane operator and owner’s duty of care to prevent risks or hazards that could contribute to crane-related accidents. Avoid any dangers and liability risks by having an open discussion with your crane operator prior to the commencement of your project.