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auger crane

Safety Precautions When Operating an Auger Crane

Table of Contents

Did you know that 86 accidents involving the collapse or major structural failure of an auger crane happened between 1989 and 2009?

This shows how important it is to understand the risks and the steps you may take to lower your risk when conducting cranes and other lifting equipment at work.

Keep on scrolling as this article covers the main auger crane-related risks you can run into at work. It will also provide you some crucial safety advice to keep yourself safe.

Potential Risk Associated When Operating Auger Crane

auger crane

1.   Falling loads

One of the most frequent and dangerous hazards when using overhead cranes is falling loads.

Many injuries, fatalities, and major structural damage to buildings and other property are all possible outcomes of a falling load.

Not only that, as a result, there will also be significant time and financial costs.

The following factors could cause loads to drop from an overhead crane:

  • Incompetence of an operator

In order for the staff to perform their jobs professionally and safely, you must make sure they have received the necessary training.

  • Slipping

Insufficient load securing might cause material to slide.

  • Mechanical malfunction

If you make sure a qualified professional performs routine inspections, maintenance, and repairs at appropriate intervals, the risk of mechanical failure can be decreased.

  • Two blocking

When an uppermost hoist line component, such as the load block, hook block, or overhaul ball, comes into contact with the upper block, boom tip, or another similar component, two blocking occurs.

Two blocks puts more strain on the line, which might lead to falling weights or damaged crane parts.

2.   Electrical hazards

electrical hazards

A metal component of an overhead crane coming into contact with a power source causes about 50% of crashes involving them (i.e a high-voltage power line).

When transporting cargo close or underneath, there is a chance that a crane’s hoist line or boom will come into contact with live electrical wires.

Any workers nearby are at risk of electrocution, and those touching the crane directly have the highest risk.

As a result, a single accident may cause numerous injuries and fatalities.

Pre-job planning must be done before beginning work since contact with electricity wires accounts for about 200 fatalities annually.

3.   Crane overload

Overloading a crane is the main cause of structural failures and misconduct in cranes.

When a crane is used beyond its operational capacity, it is likely to experience structural damages and suffer permanent harm.

A crane could be overloaded if:

  • Swing or abruptly lower loads
  • Hoist weights heavier than the cranes can handle
  • Use faulty components
  • Heavy weights
  • Side loaded booms

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Guideline for Safe Auger Crane Operation 

auger crane

1.   Wear proper safety equipment

Use a hard hat whenever you are working near a crane. A hard helmet is the most crucial component of personal protective equipment (PPE).

In addition, did you know that the crane’s hook is also referred to as a “headache.”

The phrase “headache coming your way” is frequently used by guys to warn you that the hook is approaching.

Furthermore, high-visibility safety gear comes in second place behind the hard hat.

By using these, you can be sure that the crane operator and your coworkers can see you. This is crucial when they are directing several tonnes of materials in your general direction.

In case that a load slips and strikes your foot, steel-toe boots are essential, which is why steel-toe shoes are frequently required by employers.

Those who don’t wear steel-toe shoes when working near a crane have the risk of being penalised, fined, or even fired.

Not only that, traffic cones are also a necessity. For placement around their outriggers, crane operators maintain them on the crane.

Even before the crane arrives on the job site, you will frequently need to put them out.

By doing this, a parking space for the crane is secured. When the crane is operating, you might need to shut some lanes of traffic.

2.   Use additional personnel for traffic control

auger crane

An important component of crane safety is traffic control. You need to protect not only the workers but also the general public and any bystanders.

Make a plan for where the crane will go. Design the area from which the crane can lift which refers to the pick point.

Be aware of any barriers in the air, such as powerlines, etc. Not only that, you must be aware of the weight of the item you are lifting.

Once you are aware of everything, you can decide whether you need to divert traffic or shut off parking areas.

3.   Before use, be aware of surrounding

You need to be cautious when working near any type of large equipment. When it comes to safely using cranes, this is doubly true.

Know where the load is at all times to ensure optimal crane safety and remember to never go under it.

4.   Hand signal accordingly

Make sure your feet are not touching the load. This especially applies when the load is close to the ground.

If you do need to crawl under a cargo when installing bolts to attach it, always block it up with wooden beams like railway ties or the edge of the trailer or truck.

This makes sure that the object cannot actually fall on you.

5.   Do rigging properly

Rigging refers to the process of attaching weight to a crane. On smaller job sites, this duty falls to the foreman or construction engineer.

Larger work requires a dedicated rigger who is in charge of carrying out this task since rigging is challenging to be done correctly.

Depending on the specific sling configuration, slings will have three weight ratings on them.

Three different ratings are given: one for a choke, one for a basket, and one for a straight vertical suspension.

The maximum weight rating of the sling differs depending on how the load is configured or attached.

In conclusion, utilizing an Auger Crane is one of the dangerous tools to use in construction sites.

Therefore, it is necessary to make sure that you follow the procedure in order to avoid risk or injuries.

Reduce the risk of injuries and misconduct when conducting an auger crane by hiring professionals.

If you’re looking for the best and trusted contractor to help with any installation that involves operating an Auger Crane, find no more, let Setia Urusharta do it for you!

setia urusharta

Setia Urusharta is a licensed engineering service provider committed to serving Malaysia’s engineering industry.

Customer satisfaction is what keeps our service going, as per our vision.

We work hard to maintain and ensure that we only offer the best services with our core team of enthusiastic, passionate, and devoted professionals.

Our company is located in Kajang, Selangor.

We also offer additional engineering services, such as:

  • Construction services
  • Installation and repair of large pipes
  • Alternative energy

Not only that, we also offer integrated facilities management-related services like:

  • Facilities engineering maintenance
  • Cleaning services
  • Upkeep of the hardscape and softscape

Interested in using our service? Contact us now!

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