OVERHEAD CRANE SAFETY TRAINING

OVERHEAD CRANE SAFETY TRAINING

COURSE OUTLINE

INTRODUCTION

The overall objectives of the course are discussed with the trainees,
placing an emphasis on individual operator responsibilities. The shift
in liability from the company to the operator is stressed for those who
are trained and obtain a license. The operators will be trained in
safety precautions, avoiding accidents, proper material handling
techniques, and protecting equipment and stock.

GETTING TO KNOW THE OVERHEAD CRANE

Learning the unique capabilities of the overhead crane, Types of cranes
and their uses in industry. Exercising extreme caution due to pedestrian
traffic are covered in this section.

THE PRE-SHIFT INSPECTION

The walk around inspection and in depth pre-shift inspection are two of
the most important daily routines that must be logged and maintained.
Not only can this prevent damage, accidents and expensive repairs, it
can also protect the company from liability in the event of injury.
Proper techniques for performing the inspection, assigning a specific
person, reporting problems, and updating the log book are
responsibilities that all crane operators must know in order to avoid
accidents or injury. Also included in this section are the proper hold
tag and/or lock out procedures in the event of damage or problems found
during the pre-shift inspection, or during a shift.

RIGGING PROCEDURES

Determining the weight to be lifted, selecting the proper rigging gear,
and using sound practices to secure the load. Understanding the
manufacturer's data plate, safe working loads, slings, chains, ropes,
hooks, shackles, and their capacities are covered in detail in this
section.

LIFTING AND MOVING

Proper lifting and moving procedures with cranes and hoists, load swing,
raising the load, aborting a lift, setting the load, unhooking the
slings, fall zones, storing or parking the crane, ANSI B30 hand signals,
important safety practices.

OPERATOR QUALIFICATIONS

This section covers who may operate the cranes at your facility,
specialized training and permits, and the physical requirements for
crane operators.

PREPARATION

Responsibilities for safe crane operation, the visual inspection,
checking for hydraulic leaks, condition of the safety guards, testing
the controls, inspecting the hoist rope and hook, limit switches and
braking mechanisms, and the proper reporting procedures are covered in
this section.

ATTACHING THE LOAD

Understanding the load rating, calculating load weights and load centres
for regular and irregular shaped loads, choosing the proper rigging
equipment, sling capacity, positioning of the hoist, finding the centre
of gravity, safety precautions, and preparing to lift a load.

MOVING THE LOAD

Correct starting and stopping procedures, controlling the load, guiding
the load, observing working conditions, working with signals, what to do
if there is a power failure.

FINISHING THE JOB

Techniques for lowering the load and removing the slings, storage of
chains, ropes and straps, parking the crane, leaving the controls,
securing an indoor and outdoor crane, special requirements for storing
remote controls.

INSPECTIONS

Frequent and periodic inspections, proper documentation, filing the
inspection, inspecting hooks for cracks, increases in the throat
opening, degree of twist. Inspection of hoist ropes for corrosion, loss
of diameter, worn wires, broken wires, kinks and bird caging, heat and
chemical damage. Inspecting the chains for nicks and gouges, twists,
distortion, excessive wear, stretching, pits, damage from welding or
other extreme heat, corrosion and cracks. Finding the volumes of common
shapes, approximate weights of common materials. Review of all safe
operating practices.

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION

Lecture, overhead, video, hands on, class participation and discussion,
written examination.