Training Program

CRANES & SLINGS

Mobile Cranes
 Sheet 1 - The major types of mobile cranes
Some of the most commonly used cranes are:

Rough terrain Truck mounted crane

Hydraulic mobile crane

 Sheet 2 - Some causes of crane accidents

There are a lot of factors that can contribute to accidents when you are
operating a crane. Here are some common ones:

contact with power lines;

exceeding the rated capacity of the crane;

lifting gear failure; and

failing to follow site rules, procedures and

legislative requirements.
 Sheet 3 - How to prevent load falls and crane failure
In order to prevent the load falls and crane failure, you must follow these
work practices:
• read the operator’s manual;
• read and understand the load chart;
• use the correct lifting gear;
• inspect the crane and equipment before commencing the job;
• inspect the ground;
• stay alert at all times when operating a crane;
• know the machines capabilities;
• assess the mass of the load to be lifted; and
• use outriggers, if they are fitted.

Stay alert
 Sheet 4 - How to prevent accidental contact with loads
The precautions you should take to prevent accidental load contact include:

• using a tag line;

• not handling large loads in high winds;

• using smooth control actions; and

• carrying out inspections of plant and equipment.

 Sheet 5 - The danger zones around a crane

The danger zones around a crane are:

• any blind spot for the operator;

• under the load;

• on the crane while it is in operation;

• between the load and the tyres of a mobile crane; and

• behind the crane.

INTRODUCTION

Lifting items or equipment using mobile cranes or truck mounted cranes requires
planning, operation by licensed personnel and supervision.

Planned crane operations rarely result in accidents. It is the casual and repetitive
(simple) tasks that often result in serious injury and expensive equipment damage.

The risk of injury and equipment damage is higher when untrained personnel operate
the crane.

This talk is intended as an awareness session aimed at preventing accidents.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this talk you will know:

• Common causes of crane accidents;

• Hazards associated with mobile crane lifts;
• Preventing load falls and crane failures;
• Preventing accidental contact with loads; and
• Specific hazards with various cranes.

There are many types and styles of cranes in use. Today we will focus on the most
common types, as the same considerations need to be made regardless of the size,
type or style of crane to be used.

It is the responsibility of the Company to ensure all crane operators are adequately
trained, competent (using practical assessment) and fully conversant with the safe use
of cranes. The operator must hold the appropriate license and/or certificate before
being allowed to operate a particular class of crane.

MAJOR TYPES OF MOBILE CRANES

? “What are the major types of mobile cranes in

use?”

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 Hand out sheet 1 – The major types of mobile cranes

Tractor or BHB type

These are designed almost exclusively to pick up and carry loads. They range in size
from 3 tonnes Safe Working Load (SWL) capacity to 18 tonnes SWL. (CN
Certificate of Competency is required.)

Rough Terrain
This is one of the most versatile cranes for construction work due to its ability to
negotiate rough terrain. Rough terrain cranes usually range from around 15 tonnes
SWL capacity to approximately 100 tonnes SWL. (A C2, C6, C1 or C6 Certificate of
Competency is required, depending on the rated capacity of the crane.)

Truck Mounted Self Loading

These are designed primarily to be mounted on a truck, or similar prime mover, for
the purpose of loading. (A CV Certificate of Competency is required when loading
crane exceeds 10 metres/tonnes.)

Hydraulic Mobile Mounted

These range from 10 tonnes to in excess of 100 tonnes SWL and are designed
primarily for static, fully extended outrigger operations. (A C1, C2 or C6 Certificate
of Competency is required, depending on the rated capacity of the crane.)

COMMON CAUSES OF CRANE ACCIDENTS

“What are some common causes of crane

? accidents?”

The most common causes of crane accidents are:

• Boom contact with structures and buildings;

• Contact with power lines;
• Rough unstable ground conditions;
• Exceeding the rated capacity;

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 • Inappropriate lifting gear;
• Lack of concentration on the part of the operator;
• An unqualified operator;
• Ignoring the site rules, procedures and legislative requirements;
• The operator leaving the cab with the load suspended in the air;
• A sling or chain failure;
• Crane support failure;
• Falling loads;
• Swinging loads; and
• Failure to use outriggers and blocking.

As you can see, there are a lot of risks when operating a crane. We will look at just a few of
these and discuss what we can do to reduce or eliminate them.

Hand out sheet 2 – Some causes of crane accidents

Contact with power lines:

Before working near power lines make sure that you know what clearance you need
from the lines. Coming into contact with power lines can result in you being
electrocuted.

Exceeding the rated capacity of the crane:

Trying to lift a load too heavy for the rated capacity of the crane can result in:
• The crane tipping over;
• Structural or mechanical failure;
• Serious injury to yourself or others; and
• In the worst case, a fatality.

Make sure that you know the weight of the load and that you have read the load chart.

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Lifting gear failure:
Before commencing a lift, it is the operator’s responsibility to check all the lifting
gear that will be used for that lift. If you find any faults with any of the gear, replace
it and notify your supervisor.

Failing to follow site rules, procedures and legislative requirements:

You have a duty to follow all rules and procedures. Remember, they have been
written for a reason - so FOLLOW THEM.

HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH MOBILE CRANE LIFTS

“What are some of the hazards associated with
? performing lifts with mobile cranes?”

Some of the hazards associated with mobile crane lifts are:

• Overhead power lines and structures;

• Other cranes;
• Buildings;
• Weather conditions;
• Ground conditions;
• Uncertified machinery or unqualified personnel;
• Unclear instructions;
• Inadequate procedures; and
• Defective plant or equipment.

Before commencing work, you will need to carry out a thorough check of the work
area for any hazards. If you find anything that may be a hazard to people or property,
you must take action to eliminate or minimise the hazard and thereby prevent any
damage or injury.

PREVENTING LOAD FALLS AND CRANE FAILURE

“What can you do to prevent load falls and crane
? failure?”

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 Hand out sheet 3 – How to prevent load falls and crane failure

In order to prevent load falls and crane failure, you must follow these work
practices:

• Read the operator’s manual: make sure that you have read and
understand the operator’s manual for the crane that you are using.
• Read and understand the load chart: ensure that the load chart is
visible and that you can read it.
• Use the correct lifting gear: use the correct gear to perform the lift as
gear failure could result in injury or damage.

• Inspect the crane and equipment before commencing the job: if

you find any faults, report them to your supervisor and record them in
the daily check report. Do not use faulty gear or equipment.
• Inspect the ground: make sure that the ground can support the crane
and that there are no hidden hazards such as, soak wells, man holes or
soft ground.
• Stay alert at all times when operating the crane: if your mind is else
where and not on the job, you become a hazard to yourself and others
in the area.
• Know the machines capabilities - even in unusual circumstances:
all this information is in the operator’s manual.
• Assess the mass of the load to be lifted: know the weight of the load
as overloading the crane can result in structural damage, roll-overs and
injury.
• Use outriggers: failure to use the outriggers can also result in the
crane tipping over and cause injury and even death.

PREVENTING ACCIDENTAL CONTACT WITH LOADS

Crane operation has inherent dangers due to the nature of the work being
carried out. Loads that are being moved can be affected by factors such as:

• High wind;
• Rapid slowing when stopping and starting;
• Letting the load hit the boom;

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 • Sudden control movements; and
• Faulty plant and equipment.

These actions may cause the load to become uncontrollable. In these situations, the
load may collide with structures, people or the crane itself, causing damage and or
injury.

Hand out sheet 4 – How to prevent accidental contact with loads

The precautions you should take to prevent accidental load contact include:

• using a tag line as this will allow the Rigger or Dogger to control the
load;
• not handling large loads in high winds as the wind can cause the
load to move about uncontrollably;
• using smooth control actions because sudden movements of the
controls can cause the load to start swinging; and
• carrying out inspections of plant and equipment which will allow you
to replace any lifting gear that is damaged or suspect and to report any
faults on the crane.

There are also danger zones that people should not be allowed to enter when the crane is
being operated.

“Where are the danger zones around a crane?”

?
Hand out sheet 5 – The danger zones around a crane

The danger zones around a crane are:

• Blind spot for the operator;

• Under the load;
• On the crane while it is in operation;
• Between the load and the tires of a mobile crane; and
• Behind the crane.

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 KEEP ALL PERSONNEL OUT OF THE DANGER ZONES

SPECIFIC HAZARDS WITH VARIOUS CRANES.

“Can you give me any specific hazards for each type

? of crane discussed?”

Tractor or BHB type: extreme care should be exercised when swing under load as
this can cause the centre of gravity to move outside the confines of the crane.

Truck Mounted Self Loading: depending on the SWL of the crane it may not be
necessary to have a certificate of competency. For this reason, it is essential that the
operator is fully conversant with the operators’ manual.

Rough Terrain: as the name suggests, this crane is designed to work over rough
terrain. It is the operator’s duty to make sure that the ground is smooth enough for
pick-up and carrying operations to be carried out safely.

Hydraulic Mobile Mounted: because of the different configurations that this type of
crane can perform, it is essential that the operator is thoroughly familiar with the
crane prior to operation.

SUMMARY

The things that we have discussed today shows you that in order to operate a crane
safely, you have to take into account all of the factors that may affect the safe
operation of your crane.

It is the responsibility of the Company to ensure all crane operators are adequately
trained and fully conversant with the safe use of cranes. The operator must hold the
appropriate license and/or certificate to operate the particular class of crane.

As the operator, you also need to know all the hazards that may affect the crane and
be aware of all personnel working around your machine.

Remember to:
• inspect the work site prior to commencing work;
• be aware of your surroundings;

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 • complete pre-start checks of the crane, slings and lifting gear;
• plan the lift;
• maintain control of the load during transfer; and
• report all faults.

You are never, under any circumstances, allowed to travel a load over a person.

You, as the operator, are responsible for the safe operation of the crane. If you have
any doubts about any part of the operation, do not be afraid to call a halt to the task
until the hazard or hazardous situation has been fixed.

Hand out sheet – The Man Basket Safety

Manbasket Safety Requirements:

Manbaskets used to hoist personnel have stringent regulations on both design and
construction. Illustration # 01 shows a manbasket constructed to OSHA requirements.

The standards states:

• a bridle sling used to support the basket must have a master link or shackle to
evenly distribute the weight.

• The bridle slings and any other rigging attachements used for manbasket hoisting
shall not be used for any other purpose.

• Before personnel use a basket, trial lifts with the anticipated weight must be made
to all lift locations.

• The total weight of the loaded platform and related rigging shall not exceed 50%
of the rated capacity fo the radius and configuration of the crane.

• The number of employees occupying the personnel platform shall not exceed the
number required for the work being performed.

• If the hoist line is non-rotating wire rope, the safety factor must be 10:1.

• A crane must be equipped with an anti-two block device.

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• The crane must have a flip over, positive type hook latch, or a construction block
with a schakled bridal asembly.

• A safety line from the load line above the headache ball to the master ring

Trial lifts shall be performed every time the crane is repositioned.

Man basket Design Must be Approved by an Engineer.

Illustration # 01

Further References for the Supervisor/Presenter

Occupational Safety and Health Act
Occupational Safety and Health regulations
Mines Safety and Inspection Act
Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations

AS1418.1 -General Requirements

AS1418.5 -Mobile and Vehicle Loading Cranes
AS2550.1 - Cranes Safe Use-General Requirements
AS2550.5 - Cranes Safe Use-Mobile and Vehicle Loading cranes

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 Employee Details
(Employee to complete)

Last Name

Given Names

Occupation Division

Site Signature

Assessment Details
(Instructor to complete)

Assessment
checked by:

Position Date

Result Signature

Instructions to Employee

Print your details clearly and legibly.

Employee Details Page 1 of 2 UAL Training Program

Question 1

Which of the following are common causes of accidents with mobile cranes?
(Put a cross in the appropriate box or boxes).

Boom coming into contact with structures and buildings

Contact with power lines

Being struck by lightning

A lack of concentration on the part of the operator

Question 2

If you find any faults with the crane or the lifting gear, what should you do?
(Put a cross in the appropriate box or boxes).

Report it at the end of your shift

Tell your supervisor immediately

Record them in the Daily Check Report

Question 3

What are some of the things you can do to prevent accidental load contact?
(Put a cross in the appropriate box or boxes).

Use a tag line

Don’t handle large loads in high winds

Use smooth control actions

Question 4

The only time you are permitted to travel a load over a person’s head is if you
get permission from your supervisor. (Put a cross in the appropriate box).

True False

Employee Details Page 2 of 2 UAL Training Program