Identifying Heavy Equipment and its Functions

Equipment and machines have enabled us to increase our productivity as well as take on tasks that would otherwise be too big for us. It is important to remember that just as these machines easily accomplish heavy tasks, they can also easily injure or kill you.

Heavy equipment can be categorized as:

• Metal working or metal forming, such as presses, punches, lathes, etc.
• Handling equipment such as hoists and lifting equipment.
• Aerial platforms and other access equipment.
• Earthmoving equipment

Safe Use of Hoisting and Lifting Equipment

Cranes, forklifts, and hoists are so commonly seen and used that it is easy to become complacent about safety around them. Unfortunately, injuries and deaths can result from improper use of these types of equipment. As a result of accidents over the years, the government has increased training and credential requirements regarding who is allowed to operate and work with these machines, especially cranes in construction.

Hoisting equipment picks up materials from above. Hoists, Chainfalls, and cranes are examples of hoisting equipment Lifting equipment, such as jacks and forklifts, are used for lifting materials from below. A forklift’s forks should never be used as a hoist. In other words, loads should never be hung below the forks. Only use a forklift for hoisting if it has the appropriate attachments to do so.

Cranes are deceptively simple to use, with overhead bridge cranes and jib cranes in shops being the easiest to use. You still need training! Misplaced overconfidence in one’s skills and knowledge and an overhead crane with a heavy load is an accident waiting to happen.

Before hoisting an object, two questions must be answered: How much does the object weigh, and where does the object need to be moved to? The answers to these questions determine what crane and what rigging need to be used. Remember, the necessity of the job being done in a hurry does not add to the crane’s capacity! If the crane or rigging is not rated for the load, do not use it!

When calculating the load to be applied to a crane, include the known weight of the object plus the weight of the crane’s hook and any rigging that is to be used. If the weight of the object to be lifted is unknown, do not attempt to lift it. Refer to the shipping information, blueprint, or manufacturer to determine its weight. When using a ground crane, such as a crawler crane or boom truck, also include in your planning how much the crane’s capacity is reduced by increased radius…that is, the further the load is moved away from the crane, the less capacity the crane has. (To understand this idea, hold a bucket off the ground directly above your feet. How many bricks can you put in the bucket before you can no longer pick it up off the ground? Now try the same thing while holding the bucket at arm’s length away from you. One brick in the bucket is likely challenging. The crane experiences the same challenge.) Thus, a load that the crane may easily lift next to its base might just tip the crane over when swung further away.

Proper rigging must also be used. Rigging of sufficient strength must be chosen and then properly secured to the load. A load that is rigged with undersized slings or rigged off-center may fall while being hoisted, or swing uncontrollably. Furthermore, proper signals must be used when working with a crane operator.

Even when not directly working with a crane, you may still be in harm’s way. Never let the load of a crane pass over you. If you see a load about to travel overhead, move out of its path of travel. A shifting load or a sling that slips or breaks may drop the load on you, resulting in serious injury or death. Likewise, never get under a load suspended by a forklift. Always be aware of what cranes or other heavy equipment are doing when they are on a job site.

One sometimes overlooked component is the ground beneath the crane: Is it stable? Level? Able to support the weight of the crane plus the load it is lifting? Will you find out during a critical lift that there is a large sewer main under the crane…only to be revealed when it collapses?

In summary regarding working with cranes, much training is required before a person is certified or qualified to work as a rigger or signal person. Working with cranes without such training is an unsafe practice that must be avoided.

Safe Use of Aerial Work Platforms

The aerial work platforms are generally two types: boom lifts and scissor lifts. Boom lifts can be telescoping or articulated, and scissor lifts can be designed for indoor or outdoor use. Aerial work platforms are usually self-propelled and powered by gasoline, diesel, propane, or electricity.

Never disable or override safety features such as limit switches, do not operate when the floor or ground is unstable or cannot support the weight of the equipment, and do not operate gas or diesel-powered equipment indoors or where exhaust fumes can accumulate to dangerous levels. Also, be aware of and avoid high-voltage overhead power lines.

Oftentimes, a fall arrest harness is not required to operate and use a scissor lift, due to its railings and relatively stable nature. However, a boom lift should never be used without wearing a fall arrest harness secured to the proper anchor point. The boom arm on a boom lift can act as a catapult if the equipment is driven over rough terrain.

Always use aerial work platforms according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, be sure you are trained by the employer, and follow site-specific safety rules. Some employers/job sites require the use of a fall arrest harness when operating a scissor lift. Some will not allow a scissor lift to be driven while the platform is elevated. Other employers may require a flagger or spotter on the ground. Be sure to understand and follow all employer safety requirements.

Safely Working Around Earthmoving Equipment

When working on a job site with earthmoving equipment, the most important thing to keep in mind is that if the operator of the equipment is not aware of your presence, you may be in serious danger. Never walk around the back of a piece of heavy equipment in use. Always make eye contact with the operator to be sure they are aware of your presence. Verify you have their permission before crossing their path of movement or operation. If the machine rotates and has a counterweight, do not approach from the operator’s blind side, as the counterweight may rotate and strike you, or crush you against a wall or other stationary object. Never use this type of equipment for anything other than its intended use. An excavator ( track hoe/backhoe) bucket is designed for digging, not for use as an aerial work platform. It is also not intended to be used as a crane for erecting structural steel.

Always wear a high visibility vest or clothing and other PPE. Earth-moving equipment is usually very noisy. Always protect your hearing with earplugs or earmuffs. Never cross red danger tape unless you are authorized to do so. Never enter an excavation that does not have appropriate shoring in place. Always follow employer safety rules.

Attributions

1. Figure 4.7: Street VX Wire Rope Hoist by Streetcrane is released under CC BY-SA 4.0
2. Figure 4.8: Polipasto industrial by Ed9254 is released under CC BY-SA 3.0
3. Figure 4.9: Grove Crane in Antarctica by Eli Duke is released under CC BY-SA 2.0
4. Figure 4.10: O’Brien 5 Tonne Major Jib Crane by O’Brien Installations Limited is released under CC BY-ND 2.0
5. Figure 4.11: Purso 6 by Matti Erikkilä is released under CC BY-SA 4.0
6. Figure 4.12: 贝莉儿 NG 2015-04-19 (Unsplash 8Gg2Ne uTcM) by Danist Soh is released under CC0
7. Figure 4.13: DCC03042011rvancopp by Rvancopp is released under CC BY-SA 4.0
8. Figure 4.14: June 1, 2014 – Bring in the crane! by Washington State Department of Transportation is released under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
9. Figure 4.15: Hebebuehne Scissorlift by Smial is released under CC BY-SA 2.0 DE
10. Figure 4.16: JLG 860SJ aerial work platform by High Contrast is released under CC BY 3.0 DE
11. Figure 4.17: JLG lift 600SC p4 by Alf van Beem is released under CC0
12. Figure 4.18: Genie Z-30-20N articulated boom lift by Grendelkhan is released under CC BY-SA 3.0
13. Figure 4.19: Sailors operate a backhoe and an excavator by Official U.S. Navy Page is released under CC BY 2.0
14. Figure 4.20: image released under the Pixabay License
15. Figure 4.21: image released under the Pixabay License
16. Figure 4.22: Work Development by City of Greenville, North Carolina is released under PDM 1.0