Safety Precautions in the Use of Cranes
Cranes are widely used in lifting and conveying machines, but they are highly risky. However, they do not create any danger if necessary and adequate security measures are taken. The security measures of these tools, which are vital for some businesses, are mainly grouped under three headings:
- Safety precautions to be taken during production and assembly works
- Safety precautions during use
- Safety precautions during maintenance and repair
The main safety precautions to be taken during the production and assembly of the cranes are as follows:
- In a visible place of the crane, the maximum load that the crane can lift should be written.
- Beams used as rails and carriers must be produced according to the maximum load.
- The ropes must be properly wound onto the drum and rope guides must be provided to prevent them from being cut.
- If more than two cranes are to be used in the same area, these cranes must be installed so that they do not enter each other's work area.
- The safety rating of the hook should be at least five for the heaviest load.
- Electrical cranes must be properly grounded.
- The working area of the crane must be marked and no material should be placed in the passage ways of the crane.
- In the area where the load is to be lifted, there should be areas where the hook can run back and the load can oscillate.
- The operator's field of view must not be obscured.
- The crane's control box must have an emergency stop switch that cuts off the current to stop the crane in an emergency.
- The braking system of the winches must be designed to prevent the load from falling unexpectedly.
- Cranes that lift loads of five tons or more must have two electric brakes or one electric mechanical brake.
- For cranes operating outdoors, there must be lamps on the crane that continuously illuminate the load hook.
- In motorized cranes, an audible and light warning shall be given during lifting of the load or if the crane moves.
- The crane must have arms or rings on which the hoist or pulleys will be attached to the crane in order to lower and lift the heavy parts of the crane itself.
The main safety precautions to be taken during the use of the cranes are:
- Cranes should only be used by qualified and experienced operators.
- Cranes must be checked by the operators before they are used.
- The signs to be given by experienced maneuvers must be followed when lifting, transporting and unloading loads.
- The operator must never leave the crane without releasing the load.
- Never carry people with the load.
- Loads must not be run over other workers.
- Loads must not be suspended in any way.
- Loads must be lifted upright and measures must be taken against the oscillation and danger.
- Audible and light warnings warnings must be in operation while the crane is operating.
- Cranes operating outdoors should have windstorm protection systems against storms.
- Tower cranes should not be operated if the wind speed is above 50 km per hour.
- In cabin-mounted cranes, cabinets must be made of non-combustible material, outdoor cranes must be resistant to external influences.
- Safety precautions against lightning must be taken in outdoor cranes.
- Cranes should be checked regularly every three months.
The main safety precautions to be taken during the maintenance and repair works of the cranes are as follows:
- All control systems on the crane must be stopped before repair work.
- If there are other cranes operating on the same rail system, chocks should be provided to stop them at the appropriate distance.
- If rope drums, shafts or winding motors are to be removed, the lifting ropes must first be removed from the drums.
- Records must be kept for all kinds of maintenance, repair and modification works carried out on the crane.
Tower crane What, Tower crane What are the Inspection Principles?
In the constantly developing and growing construction sector, the increasing competition conditions force the construction companies to work faster, more reliably and effectively. In this context, the use of tower cranes in construction works is indispensable. However, with such widespread use, the construction sector is more exposed to occupational health and safety risks.
For this reason, the Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331 was enacted and it was made compulsory for enterprises to carry out risk assessment studies. The aim of this study is to determine the risks in advance and to establish a healthy and safe working environment. Unfortunately, there are many accidents in the construction sector that result in death and injury. In this context, the use of tower cranes, which greatly simplifies the works in the construction area, occupies a large part. But on the other hand, employees are more exposed to the risks associated with tower cranes.
Accidents caused by tower cranes used in construction are generally experienced due to the following reasons: crane contacting electrical wires (39 percent), incorrect installation and dismantling of crane (12 percent), crane arm breakage (8 percent), overturning of crane (7 percent) loading (percent 4), impact of the load or crane to workers (3 percent) and bad weather conditions.
In 2013, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security issued the Regulation on Health and Safety Conditions in the Use of Work Equipment. Pursuant to this regulation, tower cranes are included in the risky vehicles group in terms of employee health and property safety of enterprises. In the annex of the regulation, tower cranes are adopted between lifting and conveying means. Unless otherwise stipulated in the relevant regulations, regular inspections and inspections of tower cranes are required at least once a year.
If no other value is specified in the relevant standards, the cranes must be able to lift and suspend at least the 1,25 floor of the declared load.
In the annex of this regulation, the standards to be taken into consideration in the inspection operations of tower cranes are listed. Some of these standards are:
- TS 10116 Lifting and conveying machines - Cranes - Inspection and test methods
- TS EN 13157 Cranes - Safety - Manually operated lifting gear
- TS ISO 12480-1 Cranes - Safe use - Section 1: General
- TS ISO 4309 Cranes - Wire ropes - Application rules for inspection and decommissioning
- TS EN 12385-3 Steel wire ropes - Safety - Part 3: Instructions for use and maintenance
