Cranes, sling ropes safety guidelines

These are just basic guidelines gathered from different sources, may vary from standards

Cranes, sling ropes safety guidelines


 Although hoisting machines like cranes are used in our facilities very rarely,
services are outsourced for installation, maintenance and repair works. The
following issues must be considered duly when working with cranes:
 Crane operators and slingers must be capable of seeing each other easily, having
communication through use of standard hand signs.
 In the event that only one crane operator is available in the facility (namely when
a slinger is not available), a suitable technician to be selected from the facility
employees must ensure communication with the crane operator and nobody
other than the selected person must try to talk to / communicate with the crane
operator.
 The staff working around the crane must never pass under the load in any
manner whatsoever. Those working around must be careful, monitoring the load
and communication. A cargo must never be taken over the employees.
 No cranes must be forced to hoist any cargo above the prescribed maximum
payload. The weight of the sling, hook and hoisting apparatuses must also be
added so that final calculation may be made properly. It must always be kept in
mind that when the angle lifting arm of the cranes changes, their hoisting
capacity would reduce and the hoisting capacity at the required angle must be
checked on the diagram in the operator cabinet in case of doubt in connection
therewith.
 No horizontal pulling work must be done with a crane.
 The hook must be taken on the load slowly so that the load would not be hurled.
Sudden acceleration and stops must be avoided during the hoisting operation.
 No staff must never be present on the cargo in any manner whatsoever during
hoisting or lowering it. It is strictly prohibited to let any employee get on the hook
and be lifted up.
 The operator must never leave his cabinet as the crane is engaged into a cargo.
 Brakes must be tested to make sure that it would not fail to function at the time
of hoisting heavy cargo.
 No compressed gas cylinder shall be lifted up by a crane unless they shall be
placed into a proper cage.
 In case of works near the electric power transmission lines, the distance between
the line carrying electric power of up to 50 kV and any part of a crane or cargo
shall be minimum 3 m. This distance shall be increased by 1 m per kilovolt above
50 kV.
 During hoisting, cargo must be lifted up slowly and carefully not to let the cargo
hit anywhere due to the sling angle and clearing. The cargo is first lifted up by 5
– 10 cm; then, it is stopped to check if the brakes are still effective; later, the
lifting operation is proceeded with slowly. Cargos are carried as much close to
the ground as possible.

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Cranes, sling ropes safety guidelines
These are just basic guidelines gathered from different sources, may vary from standards

 Care must be paid to ensure that the crane block and tackle set is exactly on the
weight center of the cargo before hoisting to prevent it from swinging. It is
required that the cargo is precisely balanced and that the slinging ropes are not
intertwined.
 Where our facilities have electric or pneumatic chain hoists, locally controlled
small ceiling cranes and derricks / jib cranes, periodical maintenance and
controls must be made on these items of equipment. Any controls made must be
taken down. The following issues must be considered in control of hoisting
equipment.

In drum ropes
 Ten broken fibers randomly distributed inside rope mesh or five broken fibers
inside a rope mash (for a steel rope having a capacity of 5 tons)
 Loosening or sliding in the mesh
 Any curling or bruise distorting the composition of steel ropes
 Wear and tear or scratch at a ratio of 1/3 of the original diameter of outer single
wires
 Any indication when there is thermal damage
 Cracks, deformation or wear and tear at the end connections
 Corrosion or wear and tear in ropes and outfits thereof
 In hooks
 Signs of crack
 Extension measured on the narrowest point, which is bigger than the normal
neck clearing by 15 % or more
 10 degree lateral bending on the hook
 Any hoisting devices located in the facilities must be tested under a load 1.5
times the indicated payloads and taken under record once a year.
 As a crane undergoes maintenance, the electric supply switch shall be locked as
per the Lock & Label procedure and a note indicating that maintenance is
progress shall be placed on the crane.

Slings and Ropes

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