Anyone who has even walked past a construction site will be well aware of how crucial a crane is to the successful operation of a building site. As someone responsible for operations on a building site, you will know that when you need to move materials around the building site from one level to another, it is vital that you have a safe means of doing so. If you don't have a crane to move supplies to people working high up on a building, then they are going to spend a lot of time moving up and down the structure, trying to carry the materials they need. If the materials are especially heavy, then you are going to struggle to bring them to the appropriate level and therefore struggle to keep your project on track. With cranes playing such an essential part in the workings of a building, it makes sense to understand how they operate and why it pays to hire qualified staff to operate them.
It's not just moving a lever
You might be tempted to think that crane operation is a simple task. Does the operator have to do more than sit in the crane cab and move the arm from one position to another? The answer is an emphatic yes. Safe operation of a crane means understanding what type of loads you are trying to move, where you are moving them to and from and whether the load is within the capabilities of the crane. They will also understand how each type of load must be connected to the crane.
Understanding the rigging
It is the connection between the crane and the load that is essential for the safe operation of the crane. The rigging that attaches the load to the crane must be of the correct type and attached in the right way to suit the load. It is essential everything is done right to prevent the load shifting position and sliding out of the rigging while it is being moved.
What else does the operator do?
Once the rigging is firmly attached, it is the responsibility of the crane operator to ensure that the lift can occur safely. The area of the lift must be checked for obstructions and cleared of any people who could be injured if anything went wrong with the lift.
Choosing suitably trained and qualified people for crane rigging and operation is the only safe and legal way to work.
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