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Crane
On-Site Information
The crane shall only be operated by
a trained and competent operator. The operator must also be registered with the
Chief Inspector of Factories
Mobile
Crane on-site Information
The crane shall only be operated by
a trained and competent operator. The operator must also be registered with the
Chief Inspector of Factories.
Documents for the crane
When the crane arrives on site, the following documents should come along with
the crane for inspection and review when requested:
A) A valid Certificate of Test / Thorough Visual Examination of Lifting
Equipment for the mobile crane (LM Certificate);
B) Valid Certificates of Test / Thorough Visual Examination of Lifting
Equipment for all lifting gears that comes with the crane;
C) The log-book or log sheet for the recording of the operational tests
carried out by the operator before the start of every workshift;
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If
the operator is unable to produce the above documents, the crane supplier should
be contacted and the documents obtained before the machine is put into use. It
is advisable to state that the production of these documents will be required
when the crane is hired.
Accident Statistics
In year 2000, there were a total of 32 incidents involving mobile cranes, of which
2 cases resulted in fatalities and 16 cases resulted in varying degrees of injury.
Another 14 cases involved damages to properties.
Causes of Crane Accidents
The main causes of accidents that had been identified can be traced to the following
a) Lack of planning and supervision
b) Incorrect siting or setup of cranes
c) Failure to correctly calculate or estimate the load
d) Failure of personnel to carry out the correct procedures;
e) Careless & Complacent
f) Use of wrong lifting gears
g) Faulty devices or machines
h) Lack of proper maintenance. |
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Planning and Supervision
All lifting operation should be properly planned by a competent person before
the actual execution and not left solely to the crane operator.
Investigation into crane accidents revealed that one of the root causes of these
accidents was due to lack of proper planning and supervision. This is particularly
so for simple routine lifts. Hence. all contractors are advised not to be complacent
during any lifting operation. and to plan and supervise the operation carefully.
Site constraints that would have an impact on the safe operation of the lifting
should be considered before the execution of the lift. Examples of such constraints
are:
a)
Lifting next to or over an excavation pit:
b) Materials or machines placed along the access way thereby reducing the
available space to extend the outriggers:
c) Site is located nearby busy traffic. or existing building or structures.
Checks and Maintenance
The crane should be in good working condition when it arrives on site and before
the start of the Workshift. In addition to the statutory annual inspection. the
manufacturer's recommendation on the inspection and maintenance regime should
also be followed closely.
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