Safe use of overhead travelling cranes, Gantry Cranes, Jib Cranes and Hoists（Part One）

 Overhead travelling cranes, gantry cranes, jib cranes and Monorail Hoists are used widely for material handling. Safe operation of such crane company requires operators to have the knowledge and competence to avoid accident.

Purpose

The purpose of this guide is to raise awareness of the hazards in lifting operations and to provide the basic knowledge in the safe operation of overhead travelling cranes, gantry cranes, jib cranes and hoists.

Application

This guide is intended to be used by crane operators and supervisors to promote safe lifting operations in the handling of overhead travelling cranes, gantry cranes, jib cranes and hoists.

Most accidents related to gantry cranes, overhead travelling cranes, jib cranes and hoists occur during the lifting activity. The consequences of an accident can be serious, and fatal at times. Adopting the right method and using the right equipment will greatly minimize potential accidents during lifting operations. 

 Common accidents

Key Personnel Involved in Lifting Operations

The key personnel in lifting operations include the following duty holders:

Owner/Occupier

• Occupier needs to ensure that the crane is tested by an Authorised Examiner (AE). The Authorised Examiner must conduct a thorough examination of the crane every year and issue a certificate that shows that the crane is safe to be used. A load test must be conducted every 4 years.
• Crane owner shall ensure that the crane operator is trained in the safe operation of the crane
• Crane owner must ensure that the crane is in good mechanical construction and maintained properly.

Lifting Supervisor

• Lifting supervisor needs to co-ordinate all lifting activities.
• Co-ordination can be achieved through the proper briefing of the lifting plan to all relevant personnel such as the lifting team and co-workers affected by the lifting operations.

Crane operator

• Crane operator is required to be trained and deemed competent in the operation of the crane.

Visual Checks

Note: Lifting equipment include lifting machines and lifting gears.

The following required checks are non-exhaustive. Crane operators must conduct visual checks to ensure the crane is in working condition, and test all limiting and indicating devices under no load condition before the start of every shift. All observations must be recorded in a log book or organisation’s checklist(s) according to work processes at the workplace. Report any defects found to your supervisor immediately. See Figure 4 for types of visual checks.

The occupier must ensure that the crane has a Valid Test Certificate issued by an AE and accompanied stickers/tags.