OVERHEAD

CRANE
SAFETY
 OVERHEAD AND GANTRY CRANE
OPERATION
 Crane users must inspect equipment daily before
use.
 Do not operate a crane or hoist if limit switches,
steel ropes, chains or other components are worn
or in unsafe condition.
 Remove defective and worn out slings immediately
from service.
 OVERHEAD AND GANTRY CRANE
OPERATION
 Personnel in the direction of travel
should be warned to move and remain
clear of a lifted load at all times.
 Loads should not be suspended over
personnel below.
 Under no circumstances may anyone ride the hook
or load.
 Directional movement should be made smoothly
and deliberately. Avoid rapid movements in any
direction.
 OVERHEAD AND GANTRY CRANE
OPERATION

 Do not exceed the safe working

load capacity of the crane (SWL),
hoist, chain, cable, slings, or other
components.
 Slings, load chains and other lifting devices must
be fully and securely seated in the hook before
moving a load. Remove slack from the sling,
chain, or cable before lifting a load.
 OVERHEAD AND GANTRY CRANE
OPERATION
 Use the following practices to avoid swinging
loads:
 Locate the hoist directly above the
lifting point of the load before lifting.
 Lower loads directly below the hoist.
 Keep hoisting ropes vertical. Do not
pull or push the load.
 Maintain two full wraps of cable on the
hoisting drum.
 OVERHEAD AND GANTRY CRANE
OPERATION
 When lifting loads at or near capacity, test the
hoist brakes by raising the load through a small
distance of few inches. If the brakes do not hold,
lower the load to the floor slowly and do not
operate the crane. Report the situation
immediately and DO NOT USE until repaired.
 OVERHEAD AND GANTRY CRANE
OPERATION
 Never leave the controls unattended while a load
is suspended. If it becomes necessary to leave the
controls, lower the load to the floor.
 Familiarize yourself with the location of the main
control switch.
 Check the operation of emergency push button
daily. If malfunctioning, do not operate the
crane.
 After using the crane switch off the emergency
push button in the pendant control.
 HOISTS / CRANES
bhy Daily Inspection Checklist
 Check for any loose or missing parts.
 Check end stops. End stops prevent the
trolley from running off the beam.
 Know the location of main control
switch of the crane. Be sure it is readily
accessible, in good condition and not
blocked.
 HOISTS / CRANES
Daily Inspection Checklist
 Make sure wire rope is properly seated in its
drum and sheave grooves without any slack or
overlapping.
 Operate the crane or hoist several feet in each
direction that it travels. Listen for any unusual
noises. Look for any jerky movements.
 When moving an A frame hoist, take care to
ensure that the wheels on each side stay on the
track.
 HOISTS / CRANES
Daily Inspection Checklist
Check all hooks. Hooks should not be cracked,
stretched, bent, or twisted. Each hook must have
a safety latch that automatically closes the
throat of the hook. If the latch is bent, spring is
broken, or is otherwise damaged the latch must
be repaired before use.
Hooks should rotate freely in block assembly
without any “grinding” felt or heard.
If the throat opening has increased by 10% of
original opening, hook has to be discarded.
 HOISTS / CRANES
Daily Inspection Checklist
 Check the wire rope by lowering the block to the
lowest level and looking for the following conditions.
If any of these conditions are observed, they should be
reported immediately.
 Reduced diameter of the rope. This may indicate
the rope has been stretched, has lost its inner core
support, or has worn outside wires.
 Any number of broken strands of wires.
 Kinked, crushed, cut, or
“bird caged” or damaged by
gas/arc welding.
 HOISTS / CRANES
Daily Inspection Checklist

 Check load chain for damage, wear at contact

points, cracks, or distorted (bent, twisted, or
stretched) links. Inspect all mechanical coupling
links to insure linking pins are secure and in good
condition. Report unsafe conditions immediately.
 HOISTS / CRANES
Daily Inspection Checklist
 Check the condition and capacity
of polyester or synthetic web
slings. Capacity ratings must
be legible on the manufacturer’s
label. The capacity of the sling
being used must be adequate for
the load and attachment method.
Replace slings immediately if
excessive wear occurs.
Any Questions?
 Lifting capacity of Grade 80
Alloy steel chains.

DIAMETER LIFTING CAPACITY

MM TONS.
6.3 1.25
8.0 2.0
10.0 3.2
12.5 5.0
14.0 6.3
16.0 8.0
18.0 10.0

Ref: IS 6215 (1982)

Specification for round steel link chain Grade 80,
Non – Calibrated for lifting purposes.
 Basic Sling Operating
Practices (ANSI B30.9)

Whenever any sling is used, the

following practices shall be
observed!
1. Slings that are damaged or defective
shall not be used.
2. Slings shall not be shortened with knots
or bolts or other makeshift devices.
 Basic Sling Operating
Practices (ANSI B30.9)

3. Sling legs shall not be kinked.

4. Slings shall not be loaded in excess of
their rated capacity.
5. Slings used in a Basket Hitch shall have
the load balanced to prevent slippage.
6. Slings shall be securely attached to the
load.
 Basic Sling Operating
Practices (ANSI B30.9)
7. Slings shall be padded or protected from
the sharp edges of their loads.
8. Suspended loads shall be kept free of
obstructions.
9. All employees shall be kept clear of
loads about to be lifted and of
suspended loads.
Basic Sling Operating
Practices (ANSI B30.9)
10. Hands or fingers shall not be
placed between the sling and it’s
load while the sling is being
tightened around the load.
11. Shock loading is prohibited.
12. A sling shall not be pulled from
under a load when the load is
resting on the sling.
 Basic Sling Operating
Practices (ANSI B30.9)

REPLACEMENT
Severe localized abrasion or scraping.
Ten randomly distributed broken wires in one
rope lay, or five broken wires in one rope
strand in one rope lay.
Evidence of heat damage. (cut with a torch)
 Definitions

Hitch “Basket” - loading with the sling passed under

the load and both ends on the hook or a single
master link.
 Definitions

Hitch “Choker” – loading with the sling passed

through one eye and suspended by the other.
 Definitions

Hitch “Vertical” – loading with the the load

suspended vertically on a single part or leg of the
sling.
Wire Rope Construction
Wire Rope Capacities
Types of Wire Wire Rope
Slings
Type of Wire Wire Rope
Sling Damage

Birdcage damage
Type of Wire Wire Rope
Sling Damage

Damage as a result of a kink in

the wire rope
Synthetic Slings
 Synthetic Slings

Sling capacity varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, no

set standard like wire rope has.
User must look at Individual Sling Capacity Tag to determine
Safe Lifting Capacity of that sling.
If the Tag is not readable or is missing, Do not use it!
Inspect sling before each days use, and as often as
necessary during the day to assure safety of sling!
Sharp edges can slice a sling in two without warning as the
load is tensioned. Use softeners or padding on corners.
 Chain Slings

Only Grade 80 or better ALLOY Chain can be used for

overhead lifting purposes! All chain is not rated the same!
Chain must have a capacity tag attached to it.
Chains will withstand more rough handling and abuse, but a
chain with the same rated lifting capacity of wire rope will be
much larger in diameter and heavier in weight.
Chains must be inspected daily before use and as often as
necessary during use to assure safety.
It is the riggers responsibility to do the inspections!
Chain Slings
Rigging Protection From
Cutting or Slipping

Softeners, padding or use of blocking..

 Protecting Rigging From
Damage or Environment
Rigging components are expensive to buy and to replace!
Use them properly and store them properly!
Keep wire rope slings lubricated and all rigging stored out of
the weather.
Treat the rigging as though your life depended on it!
Because it does if it fails!
Don’t use makeshift rigging or attempt to repair any rigging
components.
Knots tied in rigging reduces the strength by 50% or more!
 How Would You Rig This?

What would you need in

the way of rigging
materials?
 How Would You Rig This?

Would it matter if
the tank were full
or empty?
 Renfroe Plate Lifting Clamps
1. Check & Ensure that the clamp is
appropriate for the application
2. Never exceed rated capacity or use on
material whose thickness and flange width is
not with in the range of jaw opening marked on
clamp.
3. Inspect clamp before each lift. Do not use if
in need of repair. Never weld, grind or do any
alteration to a lifting clamp.
4. Always use proper sling between crane
hook and clamp
 Renfroe Plate Lifting Clamps
5. Never exceed 100 Cross lifting, other than
model SCPA
6. Ensure that the gripping surfaces of the
clamp are in full contact with the flange of the
beam / plate.
7. Ensure that the lock handle is in “Lock closed
position”
8. Operator should position himself away from
and fully clear of the load to be lifted. Do not
commence lift until all personnel are clear of the
area of the lift. Never stand under or near a
member being lifted
 Lifting Magnets - Safety
1. Lifting ability of the magnet depends on the surface
condition of the load. Ensure that the surface is free
from rust, scale, dirt, paint and unevenness.
2. The magnets are tested at plates having minimum
thickness of 30 mm. Capacity is reduced while lifting
thin plates.
3. Do not exceed the safe working capacity of the
magnet.
4. Magnets are not suitable for unbalanced loads.
5. Activate the magnet only after placing on the load.
6. Magnets are not suitable for sagging loads
 QUIZ
1. Proper training isn’t very important because
cranes will always be operated by licensed crane
operators.
True False
Training is very important because crane are often operational
by workers who are not crane operators by trade.
2. A red DANGER: DO NOT OPERATE tag means
you can use the crane only after giving it both a
visual and operational inspection.
True False
If you find a red DANGER: DO NOT OPERATE tag,
go no further and terminate the inspection.
 QUIZ
3. The disconnect switch for a hoist or crane should
cut power only to the hoist or crane.
True False

4. If the Up and Down buttons work, but are

reversed, you should swap the wires in the control
station.
True False
If the buttons are reversed, don’t use the hoist.
Never swap wires in the control station.
 QUIZ
5. Hoist limit switches are safety devices used to
prevent accidental over travel, and are not intended
for constant duty use.
True False

6. When a hook’s safety latch is bent or its spring

broken, it should be used only if there is no
replacement.
True False
If the latch is bent or its spring broken, the latch
must be replaced before using the hook
 QUIZ
7. Do not put a longer latch on a hook to make up
for a stretched hook.
True False

8. If the SWL is not inscribed on a wire-rope sling,

call the manufacturer or check a standards chart for
weight load test.
True False
 QUIZ
9. If your fiber sling has no SWL label, get a stronger
sling that has the limits inscribed on it.
True False

10. If you find six or more broken wires within one

lay of strand length, the wire rope should not be
used.
True False
 QUIZ
11. If more than one broken wire exists within one
lay of length of an end fitting, the sling should not be
used.
True False

12. Cranes are designed to be used for side-pulling

and in-pulling only in emergencies.
True False
Cranes are designed for vertical lifts only. Side-pulling and
in-pulling can cause breakdowns or injuries.
 QUIZ
13. You should conduct lifting operations in such a
manner that if there were a failure of equipment, no
one would be injured.
True False

14. Jib cranes should be stored against the wall, and

the pendant control station used to swing the boom
into place.
True False

Jib cranes should be stored against the wall, but use

the lower hook lock to swing the boom into place.
 QUIZ
15. Hand signals used to signal the operator of a cab-
operated crane can be found in the ANSI B30
standards manual.
True False

16. People are allowed to walk or work under a load

if they are all wearing hard hats.
True False
Don’t pass a load over people or allow anyone to walk under the
load.
 QUIZ
17. Empty slings or roes should be placed on the
hook to move them from place to place.
True False

Don’t let unused slings or ropes remain on the hook because

they can snag objects when the crane moves.

18. When operating a crane by radio control, never

operate the transmitter if you can’t see the load and
the entire crane.
True False
 QUIZ
19. If the hoist fails any part of an inspection, tag it
defective and notify your supervisor.
True False

20. A successful lift occurs when the load is placed

where it’s needed, nothing is damaged and nobody
gets hurt.
True False
50
 Please note:
Incorrect Loading of standard
eyebolts – Danger of
bending and failure.
RUD STARPOINT – adjust to
the direction of pull. Com-
Lifting points should
conform to the European
Machinery Directive with a
working load limit
pact design with a large eye
diameter and higher rating
per thread size.
established with a safety
factor of 4:1, based upon
comprehensive break tests.
These are frequently used
by manufacturers but are
usually overdimensioned
 Tested and
approved
lifting points!
Compact design.
Can be loaded
in any direction!
 Tested and
approved
lifting points!
Compact design.
Can be loaded
in any direction!
Please note:
Incorrect Loading of standard
eyebolts – Danger of
bending and failure.
RUD STARPOINT – adjust to
the direction of pull. Com-
Lifting points should
conform to the European
Machinery Directive with a
working load limit
pact design with a large eye
diameter and higher rating
per thread size.
 .
established with a safety
factor of 4:1, based upon
comprehensive break tests.
These are frequently used
by manufacturers but are
usually overdimensioned
which result in difficulty
when loading hooks and
shackles. They also cannot
be used at every angle.
EMI OFB
965104