01
Aug
This simple guide is for all new and inexperienced operators of boom cranes who are preparing to enter the world of lifting. Operating a boom crane is certainly a demanding and responsible task, although it seems like hoisting and moving loads only. Operators must know all their responsibilities and always to stay focused on the tasks in order to prevent accidents and to keep the workers safe on the construction site. Thousands of boom cranes accidents happen every year, causing serious injuries and even deaths. To reduce that number, we provide a simple guide that covers everything about operating a boom crane.
First of all, there is special course for learning how to operate boom cranes, and to become a boom crane operator, you must get a license from that course. Once you pass the exams of the course, you will get a certificate for operating boom cranes. The exams show that you are competent and have the knowledge for operating boom cranes. However, passing the exam doesn’t mean that you are ready to operate different boom cranes. Once you pass the exams, you will need many hours of practical work in order to get all the skills that are needed for safe and efficient operation.
The boom cranes operators must have a clear and extensive understanding of their machines in order to prevent accidents on the construction sites. The most common mistake most operators make is not paying attention on the load charts. The boom cranes operators must use the load charts for their machines correctly, because it is a fundamental responsibility. To pass the exam, you need to learn how to read and how to use the load charts. This is a critical safety issue, because if the operators don’t pay attention on the load charts, the result can be only one – accidents with serious injuries.
The boom cranes operators also need to perform inspection on their units before every operation. This way, any major or minor defect can be identified on time. Many boom cranes accidents happen as a result of improper set up, so it is vital for the operators to be competent and aware of this. Also, the operators are responsible to maintain their boom cranes regularly in order to keep them in good working condition. They need to know the specific maintenance schedule set by by the manufacturer of the boom crane, and to write down all repairs and services that are done in a specific crane logbook.