General Operating Safety  Suggestions

Check these Crane Manufacturers' Association of America recommendations for efficient and safe crane operation. 

One measure of a good crane operator is the smoothness of the crane operation. Jumpy and jerky operation, flying starts, quick reversals and sudden stops are the "trademarks" of a poor operator. The good operator should know and follow these proven suggestions for safe, efficient crane handling:

1. Crane controls should be moved smoothly and gradually to avoid abrupt, jerky movements of the load. Slack must be removed from the sling and hoisting ropes before the load is lifted.

2. Center the crane over the load before starting the hoist to avoid swinging the load as the lift is started. Loads should not be swung by the crane to reach areas not under the crane.

3. Crane hoisting ropes should be kept vertical. Cranes shall not be used for side pulls.

4. Never lower the block below the point where less than two full wraps of rope remain on the hoisting drum. Should all the rope be unwound from the drum, be sure it is rewound in the correct direction and seated properly in the drum grooves or otherwise the rope will be damaged and the hoist limit switch will not operate to stop the hoist in the high position.

5. Be sure everyone in the immediate area is clear of the load and aware that a load is being moved. Sound the warning device (if provided) when raising, lowering or moving loads wherever people are working to make them aware that a load is being moved.

6. Do not make lifts beyond the rated load capacity of the crane, sling chains, rope slings, etc.

7. Do not operate the crane if limit switches are out of order, or if ropes show defects or wear.

8. Make certain that before moving the load, load slings, load chains, or other lifting devices are fully seated in the saddle of the hook with hook latch closed (if equipped with hook latch).

9. When a duplex hook (double saddle hook) is used, a double sling or choker should be used to assure that the load is equally divided over both saddles of the hook.

10. On all capacity or near capacity Toads, the hoist brakes should be tested by returning the master switch or push button to the "OFF' position after raising the load a few inches off the floor. Check the load for drift. If no drift, lower the load halfway to th.~ floor and stop. Again check for drift. If load drift is noticed in either step, lower the load to the floor and report the situation immediately to the supervior.

11. Check to be sure that the load and/or bottom block is lifted high enough to clear all obstructions when moving bridge or trolley.

12. At no time should a load be left suspended from the crane unless the operator is at the master switches or push button with the power on, and under this condition keep the load as close as possible to the floor to minimize the possibility of an injury if the load should drop. When the crane is holding a load, the crane operator should remain at the master switch or push button.

13. When a hitcher is used, it should be the joint responsibility of the crane operator and the hitcher to see that hitches are secure and that all loose material has been removed from the load before starting a lift.

14. Do not lift loads with any sling hooks hanging loose. (If all sling hooks are not needed, they should be properly stored, or use a different sling.)

15. All slings or cables should be removed from the crane hooks when not in use. (Dangling cables or hooks hung in sling rings can inadvertently snag other objects when the crane is moving.)

16. Crane operators should not use limit switches to stop the hoist under norrnal operating conditions. (These are emergency devices and shall not be used as operating controls.)

17. Do not block, adjust or disconnect limit switches in order to go higher or lower than the switch will allow.

18. Upper limit switches (and lower limit switches, when provided) should be tested in stopping the hoist at the beginning of each shift, or as frequently as otherwise directed.

19. Operators shall not carry loads and/or empty bottom blocks over personnel. Particular additional caution should be practiced when using magnet or vacuum devices. Loads, or parts of loads, held magnetically could drop. Failure of power to magnets or vacuum devices can result in dropping the load. Extra precaution should be exercised when handling molten metal in the proximity of personnel.

20. If the electric power goes off, place your controllers in the "OFF" position and keep them there until power is again available.

21. Before closing main or emergency switches, be sure that all controllers are in the "OFF" position so that the crane cannot start unexpectedly.

22. If plugging protection is not provided, always stop the controllers momentarily in the "OFF" position before reversing~xcept to avoid accidents. (The slight pause is necessary to give the braking mechanism time to operate.)

23. Whenever the operator leaves the crane this procedure should be followed:

(a) Raise all hooks to an interrnediate position.

(b) Spot the crane at an approved designated location.

(c) Place all controls in the "OFF" position.

(d) Open the main switch to the "OFF" position.

(e) Make visual check before leaving the crane.

Note: On yard cranes (cranes on outside runways), operators should set the brake and anchor securely so the crane will not be moved by the wind.

24. When two or more cranes are used in making one lift, it is very important that the crane operators take signals from only one designated person.

25. Never attempt to close a switch that has an "OUT OF ORDER" or "DO NOT OPERATE" card on it. Even when a crane operator has placed the card, it is necessary to make a careful check to deteimine that no one else is working on the crane, before removing the card.

26. In case of emergency or during inspection, repairing, cleaning or lubricating, a warning sign or signal should be displayed and the main switch should be locked in the "OFF" position. This should be done whether the work is being done by the crane operator or by others. On cab-operated cranes when others are doing the work, the crane operator should remain in the crane cab unless otherwise instructed by the supervisor.

27. Never move or bump another crane that has a warning sign or signal displayed. Contacts with runway stops or other cranes shall be made with extreme caution. The operator should do so with particular care for the safety of persons on or below the crane, and only after making certain that any persons on the other cranes are aware of what is being done.

28. Do not change fuse sizes. Do not attempt to repair electrical apparatus or to make other major repairs on the crane unless specific authorization has been received.

29. Never bypass any electrical limit switches or warning devices.

30. Load limit or overload devices shall not be used to measure loads being lifted. Since this is an emergency device, it shall not be used as a production operating control.

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