Which Crane Issues Require Emergency Services?
Cranes are an essential piece of equipment on job sites in a vast range of industries, from high-rise construction to product fabrication. When your crane functions properly, this machine can be one of the biggest assets at your worksite due to its load-bearing capacity and task versatility.
However, when crane issues arise, these problems can have serious repercussions. Cranes can be some of the largest and most relied-on pieces of equipment on commercial and industrial worksites, and a breakdown can lead to profit loss, delays, property damage, safety hazards, and even injuries.
Some crane issues your employees may notice during point inspections or normal operation can be addressed by a scheduled service call or through routine maintenance. However, other problems require immediate response, often through emergency repair services.
In this blog, we help you identify when your crane requires emergency services versus routine repairs.
Broken Components
Cranes perform the fairly straightforward task of lifting, moving, and lowering loads. However, due to the size and weight of these loads, cranes rely on a complex design to ensure that the machinery stays balanced throughout the process.
If employees find a broken component, such as a cracked hoist, before operating the crane, have the crane inspected. If a component breaks while the crane is in use, check the safety of your employees, and contact emergency medical and crane services response as needed.
Collapse
Perhaps the scariest potential crane emergency is full collapse. Should a collapse occur, clear the area of all nonessential personnel. Check if any individuals could be trapped or injured in the collapse, such as caught under debris from a caved-in building.
Contact local emergency responders first. Then, after you’ve addressed all immediate safety needs, have the damaged crane removed by qualified professionals. Do not attempt to move the crane with your employees unless they are specifically trained to do so. Dismantling cranes can be dangerous when done improperly.
Incorrect Component Use
Like broken parts, modified or misused components can compromise the function of a crane. During the usual inspection, ensure that employees check for any improperly modified rope, twisted connections, and so on.
If you cannot address these issues with your own team, contact an emergency repair technician.
Injuries
Whenever an injury occurs near a crane, contact paramedics. Not only does this step minimize the potential complications for your employee, but following medical procedure protects you from any additional liability you could face.
Safety Systems Failure
OSHA requires that cranes operate with numerous safety devices in place, such as warning lights and emergency brakes. Should any of these systems fail, do not risk an accident. Have the safety systems assessed before continuing to use the crane.
Secondary Hazards
Crane problems can come from and lead to a number of secondary hazards. For example, cranes can overbalance when caught in power lines, while electrical issues can potentially cause fires. If your worksite becomes hazardous, shut it down and notify appropriate emergency responders.
Systems Failure
Your crane operators skillfully handle a complex control system to complete the lifting tasks assigned to them. However, these systems can sometimes develop issues due to excessive wear or age, environmental hazards like damp conditions, or power surges.
If the control system goes out, even for a brief period, have the system assessed to ensure that the issue does not return and create a dangerous situation later.
Use this guide as well as OSHA and industry standards to determine how best to address any crane issues that arise on your worksite. If you feel unsure about the safety of continuing to operate your crane in its usual conditions, do not push the equipment. Wait until a qualified technician has performed an inspection and any necessary repairs.
For comprehensive crane work, trust the experienced team of sales representatives, repair technicians, and training specialists at Advanced Overhead Crane Services.
