Working in the construction industry for many years, I have gathered considerable amount of skills, competencies and experience. Of these I found none more challenging than the work required in using and maintaining cranes, one of the ore difficult part being the need to secure crane spares.
For starters are heavy duty machines that are essential in any construction projects particularly large-scale ones like constructing multi-storey buildings. For the average reader, a crane is a large, tall truck-type vehicle with a hoist, wire ropes or chains, and sheaves that is used for used for lifting, lowering materials and generally moving heavy objects horizontally to another location or suspending them from a projecting arm or beam. There are many types of cranes with just as many potential uses in a range of construction projects from residential to commercial to heavy industrial, infrastructure and marine constructions.
Operating a Crane
Through time, the mechanisms and safety features of a crane itself. I have found a lot more convenient features in modern cranes particularly automated control features, more manageable control boxes, more accurate levers. Compared to older models of cranes too, or depending on the manufacturer, the current crane I operate is also significantly more physically convenient primarily due to better ergonomic design of the driver’s chair.
Driving a crane requires training which is rather technical and I do not want to bore you with the details. But basically, any crane driver must be accredited based on high standards of industrial safety. These standards vary from country to country but is based on universally accepted guidelines. In the United States the OSHA and ASME B30.2 are such standards. And these standards not just in terms of competency but physical and mental ability of the driver. Aside from passing accreditation tests and satisfying a number of safety trainings, companies usually comply with separate safety requiremsns which sometimes require psychological evaluation of workers and a complete safety plan and protocol.
Dangers and Challengers of Crane Operations
And why not, operating a crane is a dangerous task. In my experience, many construction accidents, particularly the more horrific and fatal ones result from improper crane operation or malfunction. And believe me, it costs cost time and money. For one cranes are expensive and since they lift heavy materials, these loads are often also of high value. Second, in the event of accident or failure it likely that work will stop which will cause disruption and delay and additional daily costs per day that the project is on-hold plus additional costs when the project extends beyond the target date of completion. Third, there are insurance and compensation costs to workers or any individual involved in the accident. In my experience, many of these accidents even involve lawsuits which is costly in itself.
But as I discovered, a lot of these can be prevented with proper site and operation plan. For instance, before operating a crane there should be good general lift plan for regular routines, a critical lift plan when lifting heavier loads, a production lift plan as part of the over-all project, crane safety plan and on-site safety plan.
Instead, what I often found more challenging in crane operations is the need for maintenance and servicing. Many of these things cannot be avoided simply due to wear and tear issues that come naturally with using anything. And considering the heavy uses of the crane, it is most likely to wear down more than most equipment. Specifically, I have always had problems with securing crane parts particularly P&H crane parts. Since crane are not typical vehicles that is widely available in just any car or truck store, its parts are also challenging to find and procure. In many cases they have to be ordered overseas which not only makes them more expensive but it often takes additional time to get a crane fixed.
Working in the construction industry for many years, I have gathered considerable amount of skills, competencies and experience. Of these I found none more challenging than the work required in using and maintaining cranes, one of the ore difficult part being the need to secure crane spares.
For starters are heavy duty machines that are essential in any construction projects particularly large-scale ones like constructing multi-storey buildings. For the average reader, a crane is a large, tall truck-type vehicle with a hoist, wire ropes or chains, and sheaves that is used for used for lifting, lowering materials and generally moving heavy objects horizontally to another location or suspending them from a projecting arm or beam. There are many types of cranes with just as many potential uses in a range of construction projects from residential to commercial to heavy industrial, infrastructure and marine constructions.
Operating a Crane
Through time, the mechanisms and safety features of a crane itself. I have found a lot more convenient features in modern cranes particularly automated control features, more manageable control boxes, more accurate levers. Compared to older models of cranes too, or depending on the manufacturer, the current crane I operate is also significantly more physically convenient primarily due to better ergonomic design of the driver’s chair.
Driving a crane requires training which is rather technical and I do not want to bore you with the details. But basically, any crane driver must be accredited based on high standards of industrial safety. These standards vary from country to country but is based on universally accepted guidelines. In the United States the OSHA and ASME B30.2 are such standards. And these standards not just in terms of competency but physical and mental ability of the driver. Aside from passing accreditation tests and satisfying a number of safety trainings, companies usually comply with separate safety requiremsns which sometimes require psychological evaluation of workers and a complete safety plan and protocol.
