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Safety Talk 21

Cranes and their Safe Operation

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Cranes and their Safe OperationObjectives• Understanding the

operating risks

• Preventing injury and damage

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The Lever and Fulcrum

All cranes use levers and fulcrums

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Overbalancing

Overbalances if line through Centre of Gravity falls outside footprint.

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Moments• Three steps to instability

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Understanding the risk• Working at heights involves potential energy

• Cranes overturn due to excess moment

Causes of Injury• Run over by mobile cranes

• Struck by objects falling off

• Crushed when cranes topple

Prevention• Identify the hazards

• Assess the risks

• Identify people at risk

• Introduce precaution

Injuries – Causes and Prevention

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• Don’t treat lifts casually

• Think and plan ahead

• Appoint one supervisor

• Standardize signals– given only by the supervisor

• Principles:– right crane for the job– test certificates in date– safe load indicator working – competent operator– all hazards visible to operator

Cranes and Behaviour

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• Make a reconnaissance

• Plan and ask yourself:– do I know what I have to achieve ?– am I aware of all the rules ?– am I fit to operate ?– is the crane serviceable ?

• Be aware of others

• Expect others’ mistakes

• Safety is in your hands

• Set a good example

Take Pride in Safety Let others know by your actions and

words. That you stick to safe procedures

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• Know your equipment

• Assess Ground conditions

• Understand pre-start checks

• Operators fit and competent

• Conditions are safe

• All aware of signals

• Obstructions marked

Stay in Control Control the Power !

Eliminate the Accidents !

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• Haste causes most accidents

• Think safety

• Think hazard avoidance

• Maintain equipment properly

• Wear PPE

• Alcohol and control don’t mix

TAKE PRIDE IN SAFETY

Conclusion

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Test Your Understanding1. Why are cranes potentially dangerous ?

2. Name three ways you can anticipate hazards

3. What are the main tasks before start–up ?

4. Name the three elements of operating behaviour

5. Name three ways that show you take pride in safety while operating

6. Why do BP place such importance on safety ?

7. What causes most crane accidents ?

8. What is important about signals used to control a crane ?

9. What is meant by ‘Moment’ ?

10. What is meant by ‘Potential Energy’ ?

Take pride in safety