The towering cranes visible at construction sites stand out in the construction industry. Because of their size and the functions they perform, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, warns construction workers about the safety risks involved with crane mishaps.
Features
The many parts of a crane must be intact or else they could fall off, drop objects or malfunction. According to OSHA, the crane must be set up and leveled for safe rotation and operation. The crane's structural integrity, including the crawler, outrigger supports, boom sections and attachments, must be balanced. An off-balance crane has the potential to fall over.
Prevention/Solution
Companies prevent crane mishaps through regular inspection of the machinery. Safety inspections tell workers if any part of the crane is defective or worn. According to OSHA, if defects are identified, equipment must be repaired and in safe operating order, before the crane can be used again.
Considerations
Sometimes, the operator of the crane can be at fault for a mishap. If operators are not properly trained to drive heavy machinery, they could injure those around them. A trained operator knows industry-standard safety guidelines.
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