At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, there was a sharp drop in demand for new construction projects. However, the industry has bounced back and construction is back underway. Experts are predicting that construction in the United States will increase by 4% in 2021.
One of the most important tools on the construction site is the crane. Bridge cranes and other varieties are extremely efficient tools that speed up the entire construction process. Of course, with power comes the potential for misuse.
So how can you make sure that you get the most out of your cranes without unintended side effects? Read on to learn about these top tips for using cranes on the job site!
Employ Bridge Crane Specialists
In some cases, it can be tempting to let just anybody use a crane. Somebody who has displayed competence in other areas might seem like a good choice for a crane operator in a pinch.
However, using a crane is a highly specialized skill. It is not really like performing other tasks. Just because somebody is good at most things does not mean that they will be able to use a crane properly without extensive training.
In general, you will get a lot more out of a crane operator who has been trained. On top of that, it will be far safer for everyone involved if the crane operator has an operator certification.
Even that is sometimes not enough. After all, accidents do happen even with certified operators. Whenever possible, you should find an operator who has extensive experience and a long safety record of few accidents.
Of course, in some cases, accidents happen that are not the fault of the operator. It is important that the people responsible for rigging also do a precise job. For that reason, it is important that your riggers also be properly trained.
Always Inspect a Bridge Crane for Sale
It is always important to inspect your crane thoroughly and frequently for any signs of a future failure. This is especially important when you are buying a crane the first time. A thorough inspection is an investment that pays off in powerful performance and high safety in the future.
In general, you will want to inspect your crane briefly every single day that you use it. On top of that, you should inspect it thoroughly multiple times each year.
It is important to adjust to changes in technology. Modern cranes are different from old cranes.
In most cases, new technology is stronger and safer. However, this is not exactly the case when it comes to cranes.
New cranes are designed to provide excellent performance when they are used properly. However, they do not have a high tolerance for mistakes.
Older cranes were more forgiving when people overloaded them or misused them in other ways. This built-up certain habits in many crane operators. Crane operators must understand that modern cranes cannot be misused in the same ways.
Cut Out Distractions While Using Overhead Bridge Cranes
Using a crane can be exciting at first. Of course, after many years, the novelty factor wears off. Under such circumstances, people inevitably start to get a little bored sometimes.
If the environment permits it, crane operators may tend to become distracted. This alone is responsible for a lot of accidents and lost productivity.
Simply solving the problem of distraction would greatly improve the efficiency and safety of cranes. It is impossible to remove every distraction. However, doing your best to remove any especially bad distractions can pay off.
Keep Track of Everything in the Vicinity of Your Crane
Make sure to do your research on the ground before setting up a crane. You should understand the quality of the soil you are on and change your load limits in response to it.
You should also account for how heavy the loads will be. Your soil needs to be strong enough to support your crane when it is fully loaded. Weak soil is not enough to support an unloaded crane.
Account for Crane Swing
The weight distribution on a Jib crane changes vastly as it moves. The movement within the crane’s swing radius can also extend in a large circle around the crane.
It is important to make sure that everything is safe within the radius of your crane’s swing. Every worker involved should know where that circle is and how big it is.
Use Cranes for Their Intended Purpose
Free-standing bridge cranes and other types are not built for sideloading. They are not meant to be used to drag things. Instead, you should focus your crane on vertical lifting.
If someone has misused your crane, then you will need to inspect it extra carefully.
In especially bad cases, you might need to look into new overhead bridge crane parts.
Make the Most of Your Bridge Cranes
We hope that you were able to take away something helpful from this brief article on a few of the most important tips to keep in mind when you are operating bridge cranes.
Cranes are a powerful piece of technology that drastically accelerates the progress of construction jobs. However, they can also slow down the job if they are used improperly and end up breaking something or injuring someone.
Making sure that you have proper crane use policies in place is an investment that can pay off time and time again. To learn more about how to use cranes safely and efficiently or to find the best equipment in the industry, feel free to reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!