Safety Training Module

Cranes

Offshore Installation HSE Department

Offshore & Engineering Division
1, Cheonha-Dong, Dong-Ku
Ulsan, Korea, 682-792.
 Cranes Are Everywhere
„ Cranes, derricks, and jib hoists are
used in almost every industrial setting
„ Cranes can be found on most
construction sites

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 Crane and Sling Goals
„ Crane hazards, inspection, and operations
„ Sling inspection and use
„ Quiz

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 Crane Hazards
„ Crane, sling, or hook could
fail if overloaded
„ Load could flip, turn, or
release suddenly if not
attached correctly
„ People or objects could be
struck by the load

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 Crane Capacity
„ Rated capacity clearly marked on each side
of the crane
„ If more than one hoisting unit, each hoist
must be marked with rated capacity
„ Markings clearly legible from the ground

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 Crane Inspections
„ Daily inspections include:
„ Operating mechanisms to ensure proper working
order
„ Air or hydraulic systems for leaks

„ Hoist chains/ropes for wear, twisting, distortion

„ Periodic inspections:
„ Deformed, cracked, or corroded components

„ Loose bolts or rivets

„ Wear on brakes, chain drive sprocket

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 General Operating Rules
„ Only trained, designated operators
are permitted to operate cranes
„ A crane must not be loaded beyond its rated
capacity
„ Follow all safe operating procedures

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 Attaching the Load

„ Hoist chain/rope free of kinks or twists

„ Do not wrap hoist chain/rope around the load
„ Attach the load to the load block hook with slings
or other approved devices

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 Hooks
„ Safety latch or clip
„ Load in center of hook’s
curve
„ Picking up load with
the hook’s tip causes
it to open up and weaken
„ Replace hooks that are
bent open or twisted

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 Moving the Load
„ Be sure the hook and hoist are directly
over the load
„ Ensure that chains/ropes/slings are not twisted
„ Ensure that the load is well secured and
balanced
„ When traveling, keep the load close to the floor

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 Hoisting Safety
„ Avoid sudden acceleration or deceleration
„ Watch for obstructions
„ Never leave controls with load suspended
„ Do not use cranes for side pulls
„ Never lower the load below the point where less
than two full wraps of rope remain on the
hoisting drum

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 Hoisting and People
„ Never carry loads over people
„ Do not hoist, lower, or travel a load when
an employee is on the load or hook
„ When two or more cranes are lifting a load,
put one qualified person in charge

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 Hand Signals
„ Hoist up
„ Hoist down
„ Stop
„ Travel

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 Crane and Sling Goals
„ Crane hazards, inspection, and operations
„ Sling inspection and use
„ Quiz

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 Sling Types
„ Eye to eye versus endless
„ Steel chains
„ Wire rope or steel cable
„ Metal mesh
„ Fiber rope (natural or synthetic)
„ Synthetic mesh

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 Operator Sling Inspections
„ Each day before use by a trained operator
„ Check slings and attachments for damage
„ Immediately remove damaged and defective
slings from service

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 Thorough Sling Inspections
„ At least annually,
recorded in a log
„ Chains
„ Wire rope
„ Metal mesh
„ Fiber rope
„ Synthetic web

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 Sling Rules
„ Never load beyond rated capacity
„ Label properly
„ Never shorten with
knots, bolts, or any other device
„ Protect from sharp edges
„ Attach securely to the load

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 Sling Rules (cont.)

„ Protect hands and fingers

„ Use care when pulling a sling
„ Never drag a sling
„ Do not use a damaged or defective sling

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 Sling Storage
„ Hang slings on a wall
„ Never leave on the ground
„ Never expose to water, welding sparks,
chemicals, etc.

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 Sling Hitches
„ Vertical
„ Choker
„ Basket

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 Sling Angles
„ Ratings based on a vertical hang
„ Slings hung >= 5° angle from vertical
„ Slings used at angles should be checked for
capacity

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 Angle Examples
„ Assume 1,000 lb. load lifted with 2 slings

„ Slings vertical: 500 lb. each 1,000 lb.

„ Slings 45° from vertical: 707 lb. each

„ Slings 60° from vertical: 1,000 lb. each

1,000 lb.

„ Slings 75° from vertical: 1,930 lb. each

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 Crane and Sling Goals

„ Crane hazards, inspection, and operations

„ Sling inspection and use
„ Quiz

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 Summary
„ Only trained and authorized operators
allowed to use a crane
„ Inspect both crane and slings before use
„ Properly secure the load and try to keep
slings vertical
„ Keep all people away from a load while
it is being hoisted or moved

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 Quiz
1. When do slings need to be inspected? __________
2. Wrapping the hoist’s chain/rope around
the load is a safe way to hitch a load. True or False
3. Name two things on a crane that need to be inspected
each day: ___________and ___________.
4. What prevents a hook from becoming disconnected
from the load? _____________________________
5. Each crane must be clearly marked
with its rated capacity. True or False

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 Quiz (cont.)
6. Lift load high when traveling
in order to avoid people or objects. True or False
7. The best way to shorten a chain sling
is with a strong bolt through two links. True or False
8. When using a basket hitch, the load
must be properly balanced. True or False
9. What causes slings to be subjected to loads
in addition to the weight of the object? __________
10. What should be attached to every sling? __________

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 Quiz Answers

1. Inspect slings each day before they are used.

2. False. Never wrap the hoist’s chain/rope
around the load.
3. Daily crane inspections include operating
mechanisms, air/hydraulics, hoist chains/ropes.
4. A safety latch or clip prevents the hook from
disconnecting from the load.
5. True. Cranes must be clearly marked with
their rated capacity.

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 Quiz Answers (cont.)

6. False. Travel with the load as near to the

ground as possible.
7. False. Never shorten a sling with a bolt
or a knot.
8. True. A basket hitch requires a balanced load.
9. Hanging slings at angles causes them to be
subjected to horizontal forces.
10. A label with the sling’s rated capacity.

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