Overhead cranes are supposed to rescue employees from carrying or moving heavy items or parts. When they are not in a proper working condition, they can become a heavy health and safety hazard.
Most overhead cranes are remote controlled. As proper functioning controls are essential to operate the crane, inspectors should always include the remote control in their risk assessment. Despite the fact that there is little chances of it get damaged, the inability to stop or move a crane in time could be the thin line between life and death. Inspectors should check the functionality of the controls by switching the remote on and off and see if cranes respond accordingly.
Most cranes also have a backup safety system of an emergency switch that is situated on the floor used in case a remote becomes faulty during an operation. During the risk assessment it should be ensured that this switch is operational.
The braking system of a crane is another vital aspect that a risk assessment should give attention to. The operator should be able to stop a crane when required without any struggles. Like vehicle brakes, brakes of an overhead crane can wear out due to poor handling of the equipment or the regular transportation of heavy items. Faulty brakes could result in a crane knocking down other employees working within its operating area.
Though cranes are meant to carry heavy loads, it does not mean they are able to carry just any load. Cranes are designed in different ways to enable them to carry different sizes of loads; hence load limit device should be fitted and it must be working properly. An inspector who comes across a malfunctioning load limit device should discontinue the use of that particular crane until repair or replacement is done. Employees tend to take shortcuts by overloading the crane, hoping that adding additional load will reduce the number of loads the crane will have to carry.
Also, along with a functioning load limit device, employers should ensure that their cranes are furnished with load indicators to show load limit. The position and visibility of the signs should be established during an assessment and its absence is incriminating oneself as it is a requirement of the Occupational Health and Safety standards which are described in the Act.
Hooks play a major role in cranes because they lift the load up. It is essential to identify if the hook is free of any defects. An assessment should ensure that hooks are not cracked, not bent and that they are fitted with safety latches to ensure that loads are balanced and secure.
Is the hoisting gearing system working properly? A risk assessment should establish if this system works smoothly and does not produce unusual noise as unusual noise is a sign of problems somewhere in the system.
A signalling device of a crane is vital. The signalling device serves as a warning for those in the vicinity of a crane that an operation is under way hence the need to take extra caution. A crane or its load can knock down and injure employees when they are consumed in their own working and not focusing on what is happening around them.
Wire ropes and chains should be of sound quality too to enable them to lift the heavy load. If an inspector feels a chain or rope could pose a danger, he should instruct the employer to get it repaired or changed immediately.
Overhead cranes should become a sword of Damocles that is hanging over one's head.
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