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SAFETY MOMENT, JUNE 9

Know the rated load and never exceed it

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Safety moment, June 9

Know the rated load and never exceed it

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 9

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

The rated load is marked on the crane and must be clearly legible from the floor (29 CFR 1910.179(b)(5)). The crane must not be loaded past its rated load except for test purposes (29 CFR 1910.179(n)(1)). Know the weight of the load before you pick it up, and count the weight of the hook, the sling and any attachments. (29 CFR 1910.179(n)(1))

ASK THE CREW

How do we keep people out from under the load?

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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