If you are a construction worker in Wilmington, you have probably spent at least a little time around overhead cranes. Operators use these machines to move heavy loads, large objects, and other materials that you cannot move easily. While working around or with a crane, you have to stay alert for loads that move both vertically and horizontally.
Since workers use cranes to move extremely heavy construction materials, safety is very important. Cranes have to meet design, maintenance, and inspection requirements to ensure that the operator and bystanders are safe. For more information on crane requirements, read below.
Design
In 1971, the American National Standard Institute and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers created a safety code that all cranes produced after August 31 of that year must meet. It is possible to modify a crane as long as it passes inspection by a qualified engineer or the original manufacturer. Also, every crane must have its rate load displayed on either side of it. If the crane has multiple hoists, then each one must visibly display its individual rating. Other design requirements include that the cab, controls, lighting, and other components meet the standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Maintenance
In order for a crane to stay within regulations, it must receive regular maintenance checks in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. If an inspector finds any components that are unsafe, then a technician must repair the problems before an operator uses the crane again. Furthermore, only qualified technicians can make repairs and perform regular maintenance on the crane.
Inspections
One of the key ways to ensure that cranes meet safety requirements is to perform regular inspections. For example, if your boss buys a new crane, it must undergo an inspection before its first use. After that, a qualified individual should conduct frequent inspections either daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on the specifics of the crane’s use. Also, cranes must receive periodic inspections that occur on a monthly or annual basis. These two different kinds of inspections are requirements because it provides a way to track normal wear and tear, rate of component deterioration, and an opportunity to catch malfunctions.
When it comes to working on or around a crane, safety is paramount. If you suffer a workplace injury because your employer fails to properly maintain a crane according to OSHA regulations, then you might be able to file a claim for your losses.
