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SAFETY MOMENT, JUNE 10

Rig it right before it leaves the floor

Safety moment, June 10

Rig it right before it leaves the floor

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 10

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

Attach the load to the hook with slings or other approved devices (29 CFR 1910.179(n)(2)(ii)). The hoist rope or chain must be free of kinks or twists and must not be wrapped around the load (29 CFR 1910.179(n)(2)(i)). The load must be well secured and properly balanced before it is lifted more than a few inches (29 CFR 1910.179(n)(3)(i)). Lift a few inches, check it and test the brakes before you go further. (29 CFR 1910.179(n)(3)(i))

ASK THE CREW

What would we do if a load got stuck or the crane stopped mid-lift?

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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