HEALTH / SAFETY WEEKLY REPORT

Tool Box Talk

Rigging & Crane Safety

During the last three days we have had two avoidable accidents involving rigging and cranes. We refer to them as avoidable because if the tasks were carried out in the right manner both these accidents would never have happened. We are also lucky we got away without any casualty.

We have to remember that crane operators and riggers have to work as a team to carry out their tasks safely and efficiently. Operators should never perform any lift or even move the crane from one location to the other without a qualified rigger to signal and guide him. The rigger should always position himself in such away that he has full vision of the load being lifted and he is also in full view of the operator, if this is not possible then the help of another rigger must be taken. Do not use your helper to transfer signals. If the crane needs to be moved from one location to another, the rigger must help the operator to manouver and not leave the task to a helper. If the operator has problems following signals from the rigger he should have a talk with the rigger and clear his doubts before attempting a lift.

All loads being lifted should have a tag line, if the load is big or extra long then two tag lines should be used, so that it would help to control the lift better. If the crane has to leave the site and travel on the public roads then the operator must insist on an Escort preferably with a qualified rigger. Having an escort would help the operator to move safely on the roads.

If the simple procedures would have been followed there is no doubt these two incidents would never have happened.

Thank you for listening.

Any Question ?

Tool Box Talk