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Perform a risk assessment for crane operations

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Risk Assessment for Crane Operations

Potential Hazards
  1. Mechanical Failures: Potential for mechanical failures such as malfunctioning brakes, hoist mechanisms, or structural components.
  2. Overloading: Risk of exceeding the crane's rated load capacity, leading to tipping or structural failure.
  3. Environmental Conditions: Adverse weather conditions such as high winds can affect crane stability and operation.
  4. Human Error: Operator errors due to lack of training or miscommunication during operations.
  5. Electrical Hazards: Operating near overhead power lines poses a risk of electrocution.
  6. Falling Loads: Risk of loads falling due to improper rigging or equipment failure.
  7. Collision: Risk of collision with other cranes, structures, or personnel.
Risk Assessment
  • Likelihood: Moderate to high, depending on the specific environment and controls in place.
  • Severity: High, as incidents can result in serious injury or death, as well as significant property damage.
Control Measures
  1. Elimination/Substitution: Where possible, use alternative lifting methods that do not require cranes.
  2. Engineering Controls:
    • Ensure cranes are equipped with functional limit switches, safety devices, and alarms [1].
    • Regular maintenance and inspection of cranes to identify and rectify potential issues [2].
    • Use of outriggers and stabilizers to enhance stability [3].
  3. Administrative Controls:
    • Implement a comprehensive training program for crane operators, including emergency procedures and load estimation [4].
    • Develop and enforce a communication protocol for crane operations, including the use of standard signals [5].
    • Conduct site evaluations to identify and mitigate environmental and operational hazards [4].
    • Ensure only qualified personnel operate cranes [5].
  4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
    • Require operators and ground personnel to wear appropriate PPE, such as hard hats and high-visibility clothing.
Monitoring and Review
  • Conduct frequent and periodic inspections as per regulatory requirements to ensure ongoing safety and compliance [1].
  • Review and update risk assessments regularly, especially after incidents or changes in operations.
  • Maintain records of inspections, maintenance, and training for accountability and continuous improvement.
Recommendations
  • Install and maintain effective warning systems on cranes to alert personnel of movements [1].
  • Ensure cranes are not operated in adverse weather conditions unless absolutely necessary and safe to do so.
  • Establish exclusion zones around crane operations to prevent unauthorized access and reduce collision risks.
  • Regularly review and practice emergency response procedures with all personnel involved in crane operations.
5 source record(s)

Sources used for this answer

[1] Safety Standards for General Safety and Health Standards (Chaper 296-24 WAC)

Page 50

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\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ ## WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code] Handling the load. ## (1) Size of load . - (a) You must not load any crane beyond the rated load, except for test purposes as provided in WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code]. - (b) When loads which are limited by structural competence rather than by stability are to be handled, you must ascertain that the weight of the load has been determined within plus or minus 10% before it is lifted. ## (2) Attaching the load. - (a) You must ensure that the hoist rope is not wrapped around the load. - (b) You must ensure that the load is attached to the hook by means of slings or other approved devices. ## (3) Moving the load . - (a) The employer must ensure that: - (i) The crane is level and where necessary blocked properly. - (ii) The load is well secured and properly balanced in the sling or lifting device before it is lifted more than a few inches. - (b) Before starting to hoist, you must note the following conditions: - (i) Hoist rope must not be kinked. - (ii) Multiple part lines must not be twisted around each other. - (iii) The hook must be brought over the load in such a manner as to prevent swinging. - (iv) If there is a slack rope condition, it should be determined that the rope is properly seated on the drum and in the sheaves. - (c) During hoisting you must take care that: - (i) There is no sudden acceleration or deceleration of the moving load. - (ii) The load does not contact any obstructions. - (d) You must ensure that side loading of booms is limited to freely suspended loads. You must not use cranes for dragging loads sideways. - (e) You must not do any hoisting, lowering, swinging, or traveling while anyone is on the load or hook. - (f) The operator should avoid carrying loads over people. - (g) On truck moun…

[2] Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 (Sask. Reg. 10/2020)

Page 264

Open source document

Source excerpt

S-15.1 REG 10 ## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 ## TABLE 13 [ Subsection 13-6(1), definition of 'competent worker' ] ## Minimum Training Requirements for Competent Operator of a Crane ## I Course Content: ## A Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 Related to Cranes: Duties of employers and operators Protection of workers Approved standards for cranes Operation of cranes Maintenance of cranes Signalling ## B Types of Cranes: Terminology Types of cranes Specific design of crane to be operated Basic geometry of cranes, including effect of configuration changes and operating in different quadrants ## C Site Evaluation: Check route of travel, clearances and ground conditions, including the presence of structures, power lines or other equipment that may constitute a hazard Check site of operation, including the nature of ground, gradients, stabilizers, tire pressure and blocking under outriggers Identify potentially dangerous situations and the appropriate response ## D Crane Controls: Identify and use controls Pre-start check Start-up Shut-down Post-operating check Perform operating adjustments ## E Operation of Crane: Movement to location Set-up; extend stabilizers and outriggers Change configuration; insert boom sections; extensions; jibs; counterweights Check for safety of other persons before movement Safety precautions while crane is unattended, in storage or in transit ## F Load Estimation Load gauge incorporated in the crane Calculation of load from material density and volume Incorporate weight of attachments, hook, block and headache ball

[3] Safety Standards for General Safety and Health Standards (Chaper 296-24 WAC)

Page 47

Open source document

Source excerpt

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Any deficiencies such as listed must be carefully examined and determination made as to whether they constitute a safety hazard: - (a) All control mechanisms for maladjustment interfering with proper operation: Daily. - (b) All control mechanisms for excessive wear of components and contamination by lubricants or other foreign matter. - (c) All safety devices for malfunction. - (d) Deterioration or leakage in air or hydraulic systems: Daily. - (e) Crane hooks with deformations or cracks. For hooks with cracks or having more than 15% in excess of normal throat opening or more than 10 twist from the plane of the  unbent hook. - (f) Rope reeving for noncompliance with manufacturer's recommendations. - (g) Electrical apparatus for malfunctioning, signs of excessive deterioration, dirt, and moisture accumulation. - (3) Periodic inspection . You must perform complete inspections of the crane at intervals as generally defined in subsection (1)(b) of this section depending upon its activity, severity of service, and environment, or as specifically indicated below. These inspections must include the requirements of subsection (2) of this section and in addition, items such as the following. You must carefully examine any deficiencies such as listed and determine whether they constitute a safety hazard: - (a) Deformed, cracked, or corroded members, in the crane structure and boom. - (b) Loose bolts or rivets. - (c) Cracked or worn sheaves and drums. - (d) Worn, cracked, or distorted parts such as pins, bearings, shafts, gears, rollers and locking devices. - (e) Excessive wear on brake and clutch system parts, linings, pawls, and ratchets. - (f) Load, boom angle, and other indicators over their full range, for any significant inaccuracies. - (g) Gasoline, diese…

[4] Safety Standards for General Safety and Health Standards (Chaper 296-24 WAC)

Page 28

Open source document

Source excerpt

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ - (h) You must ensure that replacement rope is the same size, grade, and construction as the original rope furnished by the crane manufacturer, unless otherwise recommended by a wire rope manufacturer due to actual working condition requirements. - Equalizers . You must ensure that the tension in the parts is equalized if a load is supported by more than one part of rope. - Hooks . You must ensure that hooks meet the manufacturer's recommendations and are not overloaded. Safety latch-type hooks must be used or the hook must be moused. [Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 15-24-100 (Order 15-04), § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 12/01/2015, effective 01/05/2016. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.240, chapters 43.22 and 42.30 RCW. 80-17-015 (Order 8021), § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 11/13/80. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.150, and 49.17.240. 79-08-115 (Order 79-9), § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 7/31/79; Order 73-5, § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/7/73.] ## WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code] Warning device. You must provide a gong or other effective warning signal for each crane equipped with a powered traveling mechanism except for floor operated cranes. [Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 15-24-100 (Order 15-04), § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 12/01/2015, effective 01/05/2016. Order 73-5, § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/7/73.] ## WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code] Inspection. - Inspection classification . - (a) You must perform an initial inspection prior to initial use all new and altered cr…

[5] Safety Standards for General Safety and Health Standards (Chaper 296-24 WAC)

Page 33

Open source document

Source excerpt

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ - (i) When two or more cranes are used to lift a load one qualified responsible person must be in charge of the operation. The qualified person must analyze the operation and instruct all personnel involved in the proper positioning, rigging of the load, and the movements to be made. - (j) The employer must assure that the operator does not leave the control position while the load is suspended. - (k) When starting the bridge and when the load or hook approaches near or over personnel, you must sound the warning signal. ## (4) Hoist limit switch . - (a) At the beginning of each operator's shift, the operator must try out the upper limit switch of each hoist under no load. Extreme care must be exercised; the block must be 'inched' into the limit or run in at slow speed. If the switch does not operate properly, the appointed person must be immediately notified. - (b) You must never use the hoist limit switch which controls the upper limit of travel of the load block as an operating control. [Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 15-24-100 (Order 15-04), § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 12/01/2015, effective 01/05/2016. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 94-15-096 (Order 94-07), § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 7/20/94, effective 9/20/94; Order 73-5, § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/7/73.] ## WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code] Operators. - (1) You must ensure that cranes are operated only by regular crane operators, authorized substitutes who have had adequate experience and training under the supervision of a competent operator, or by crane repairmen or inspectors. - (2) You must ensure that crane operators are able to communicate with others …

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