Crane Safety
In South Africa, cranes (lifting Machines) and related lifting tackle, is strictly governed by the Driven Machinery Regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. All lifting machines, including gantry, mobile and crawler cranes MUST comply with the following:
- Safe working load displayed on the machine
- At least 3 full turns of rope on the drum of any winch at its lowest limit with automatic cut-out device
- Fitted with a brake or other means to hold the load
- Load test performed by a registered lifting machine inspector, every time re-erected or min. 12 months.
- Sheaves, brakes and safety devices inspected min. every 6 months
- A register kept with full service-history – At least 10 years
- Fitted with a load indicator
- Fitted with a load-limiting device that will automatically arrest the driving effort when a greater load is lifted for that radius
- Operated by a certified competent operator
- Lifting tackle will be inspected every 3 months, entered on a register and in Franki, colour coded for that period, as per table below.
Only cranes performing the work of piling and dynamic compaction are legally exempt from items 7 and 8 above, by the Department of Labour in South Africa.
The following applies in general for most lifting operations:
- Loads to be controlled by guide ropes, where possible
- No persons to stand under loads and exclusion zones to be enforced where practical.
- Only qualified banksmen and slingers to be used for heavy lifts and slinging
- Platform safety to be ensured i.e. firm, level, inspected prior to moving the rig
- Machine daily checks to be done
- Outriggers used with base, where fitted
- Lifts to be planned and all risks assessed prior to operation
- If it seems unsafe, STOP.
