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SAFETY MOMENT, JUNE 8

Inspect and test before you lift

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Safety moment, June 8

Inspect and test before you lift

An overhead crane moves heavy loads right over our heads. A dropped load, a swinging load, a failed brake or a bad rope can hurt or kill someone below. Much of your protection comes from checks and habits that take a few minutes: knowing the rated load, rigging well, testing before you lift and keeping people out from under the load.

SAFETY MOMENT

June 8

The hazard

An overhead crane moves heavy loads right over our heads. A dropped load, a swinging load, a failed brake or a bad rope can hurt or kill someone below. Much of your protection comes from checks and habits that take a few minutes: knowing the rated load, rigging well, testing before you lift and keeping people out from under the load.

The action

Look at the hook for deformation and cracks, at the chain and rope for wear, kinks and broken wires, and at the operating mechanisms and air or hydraulic lines for leaks. Hooks need a visual inspection daily and a monthly inspection with a certification record (29 CFR 1910.179(j)(2)(iii)). At the beginning of each operator's shift, the upper limit switch of each hoist must be tried out under no load (29 CFR 1910.179(n)(4)(i)). If anything is wrong, stop and tell your supervisor. (29 CFR 1910.179(b)(4)(i))

ASK THE CREW

What do you check on the crane at the start of the shift?

From the talk: Overhead crane safety. Read it in full, free, with the questions and the sign-in sheet.

HOW TO USE IT

How to give a safety moment

  1. Gather the crew where they work, before the shift or the meeting starts. Read the hazard out loud.
  2. Ask the question and let two or three people answer. What they say about their own work counts for more than what you read.
  3. Name the action and point to one place on today's job where it applies, so everyone knows what to do differently.
  4. Write the date and the names on a sign-in sheet.

A safety moment is short and does not replace the full talk. When you want to go through a topic with the crew, pick a free toolbox talk.

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