As the world celebrates St. Patrick’s Day this week, Crane Tech wanted to remind you that relying on the luck of the Irish to keep your lifting operations safe may not be the best course of action. Instead we invite you to consider what your operators bring to the table. After all, a good mobile crane operator can make the difference in having good fortune or your luck running out.
But what does it take to be the lucky one? We know it goes beyond doing a jig and saying a prayer, we’d like to submit that it starts with good training but we know we cannot leave it there. All shenanigans aside, look at some of the characteristics operators must possess to help keep your lift from becoming a tale of woe.
- A sharp mind – it‘s more than just knowing how to work the crane’s controls. The math and physics of what an operator works with each day is demanding. Operators must remain alert and be ready at all times, regardless of how long they have been sitting in the cab.
- Constant vigilance – operators must continually identify potential hazards, follow the signal persons instructions, and know how to respond in a split second should something not go as planned.
- Awareness of load dynamics – swing speed, wind speed, boom length, boom angle, load center of gravity… when one changes, everything changes. Operators that understand these dynamics can anticipate how each factor impacts the lift and maneuver appropriately.
- Knowledge of the crane – Operators who take the time to learn the limitations and characteristics of their crane, how to set it up properly, and how to work with its operational aids instead of just jumping in the seat will know when a lift is going smoothly or when something isn’t quite right.
- Physically capable – From setting cribbing and outriggers to climbing into the cab and using eye-hand coordination, operators must be capable of meeting the various physical demands of the job.
- Attention to detail – From pre-use inspections, leveling the crane, checking the rigging, following the lift plan, or setting up the crane’s computer, operators who take the time to pay attention to the details keep your site safer.
- Pride in work – Operators should care enough not to just keep themselves safe, but also the equipment, the load, and others on the site safe from harm.
- Respect of site conditions – Operators must be aware of high-voltage lines, ground conditions, buildings, other equipment, and weather-related conditions such as wind, temperature, precipitation, visibility, or lightning. Leaving someone else to be concerned with these items could mean they are the next story on the news.
- Familiarity with regulations – Operators need to have knowledge of federal and local regulations, as well as site policies and instructions, to help ensure operations stay in compliance while maintaining safety.
- Knowledgeable supervision – While the operator should make the ultimate call on the lift, having informed site supervision to support the decision an operator makes or to talk through a challenging lift is the icing on the cake.
So we want to know do you think this list is just blarney or do your operators pass with flying colors? Post a comment below or email us your thoughts.
Have a safe and “lucky” St. Patrick’s Day!
“May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you have gone too far.” – Old Irish Saying