allen TRTP275, Operations & Parts Manual

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275 - 09/2018 Page 44
SECTION 1
SAFETY
Transportation Safety (cont’d)
Lifting
General tips for crane operation
Additionally, a few key points always worth keeping in mind during crane operation:
• Once a load is in the air, don’t leave the controls – While a load is suspended the operator should not leave the controls.
• Stay focused, stay on task – An operator should never multitask to fulfil other roles such as signalling or heed distractions
such as a mobile phone.
• Stop means STOP – If an emergency stop signal is given the operator should do so regardless of who gives it.
• Keep it clear – Heavy loads should never be moved directly over people and all nearby personnel should be kept clear of
areas they may be hit should it swing, shift or fall.
• Look around you – A broad awareness of surroundings should be maintained at all times with specific attention given to
overhead hazards such as power lines and potentially dangerous weather conditions warranting suspension of operations.
While you don’t need to be a mechanical engineer to operate cranes safely, the following basic steps will help to ensure that
you don’t encounter any safety issues.
1. Have a certified operator. A crane in the hands of an unqualified operator can be a deadly weapon. Riggers should also
be properly trained on setting the crane up for the specific load and circumstances.
2. Inspect, inspect and inspect. Verifying that the crane has received its annual inspection is only the beginning. It’s import -
ant to check the operating functions daily to ensure that everything is working properly and that there are no defects or
cracks in the support members. The cranes of a generation ago were made with alloys that could handle overloading and
other abuse. Today’s cranes use materials that are less tolerant of mishandling. Longtime operators are often surprised to
discover that the tricks they used to push cranes beyond the limits in the past can easily create very dangerous situations
with newer cranes.
Overhead cranes used in heavy industrial applications such as steel making need to be inspected just as carefully. Many of
these cranes spend decades working in extreme environments such as melt shops. That constant exposure to intense heat
and temperature swings can cause the beam and other structural members to become brittle and lose strength or even fail.
3. Know what’s below. The most powerful, carefully rigged crane is only as strong and stable as the surface upon which it
stands. You need to know the classification for the soil or other material under the crane, and adjust your setup and load
limits accordingly. While many cranes are equipped with outriggers, extending them doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve
provided a stable surface. Outriggers displace the weight on the lift much the way that snowshoes spread your weight out
so you don’t sink into the snow. The pad and float at the end of the outrigger carry a great deal of compression force when
the crane is under load. Too much force can cause them to punch through the ground, causing the entire crane to tip.
It’s important to know the load weight and how that is affected by the conditions of your job site. The crane’s load chart can
help you determine whether your lift will be safe. The allowable load will depend on whether the tires or outriggers are being
used, along with other factors. For example, asphalt may seem to be a stable surface, but on a warm day, it may become
very flexible. Even concrete may not provide enough strength if there is a void beneath it.