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TEN POINTS TO A SAFE LIFT:

1) The hook is directly above the load center of gravity. 2) The load weight is known. 3) Boom angle, boom length, radius and the cranes capacity are known. 4) Outrigger pads are on solid footing or blocking (cribbing). 5) All wheels are clear of the ground. 6) All outriggers are fully extended or to crane manufacturers recommended position per cranes rated capacity load chart. 7) The crane is uniformly level within 1% of level grade. 8) Rigging is correct for load to be lifted. 9) All obstacles and/or obstructions are known. 10) The crane operator is properly trained and is qualified on the crane to be operated.

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PROPER CRANE SET-UP CRANE LOAD CHARTS ARE BASED ON THE CRANE BEING LEVEL

One of the critical factors in proper crane setup is a firm supporting surface. Crane load chart rating are based on the crane maintaining a level condition. To maintain a level condition the ground surface must be capable of supporting the crane weight, the load weight, and any dynamic loading that would be induced into the lift. Regardless of your use of outriggers the ground must be stable enough to support the crane and the load without collapse. Especially soft or water logged ground requires a special base for the crane. When unstable ground conditions exist, blocking, mats, steel plates or concrete rafts shall be used to distribute the load under the crane and to ensure that the ground bearing capacity is not exceeded. There are four basic elements to consider for maintaining proper crane support. 1. Total imposed load 2. Supporting surface area 3. Pounds per square foot 4. Soil or surface area material stability

Total Imposed Load: Includes the following, Crane weight + Load weight + Rigging weight + Dynamics from load movement.
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Supporting Surface Area

Supporting area is the ability of the ground or the surface area material to support the total load that will be imposed on the supporting area. When it is determined that the bearing pressure exceeds supporting area stability, the bearing area of the crane must be increased by the use of cribbing, mats or other suitable means under the outrigger pads or tires, ( if on rubber is permitted by the crane manufacturer and within the cranes rated capacity chart). Pounds Per Square Foot: Determined by calculating the total square feet of the crane bearing area and dividing the square feet into the total imposed load. If, for example the total imposed load is 60 ton, the crane is equipped with four (4) outrigger pads measuring two foot square, the pounds per square foot exerted on the support surface area would be; 60 ton divided by 16 sq. ft. = 3.75 ton per square foot. Soil or Surface Area Material Stability: Is the ability of the soil or surface area material on which you intend to set up the crane, to support the pounds per square foot that will be exerted by the total imposed load. Different type soils or surface area materials will support different load bearing pressures.

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OUTRIGGER FOUNDATION and SUPPORT

Use of outriggers does not necessarily increase the crane surface bearing area. In fact, the use of outriggers may actually decrease the surface bearing area. Do not confuse this with the fact that outriggers improve stability. Stability is improved by creating a wider stance for the crane to operate on. Whenever outriggers are used, cribbing is recommended to increase the surface bearing area. The surface bearing area should be increased by at least three ( but no less then two and a half ) times that of the outrigger pad.

However, the correct amount of cribbing required is dictated by the stability of the surface bearing area. If the crane is equipped with outriggers they should be used on every lift regardless of the weight of the load. On rubber lifts shall be made , Only if permitted by the crane manufacturer and within the limits as stated in the cranes rated capacity chart for on rubber lifting.

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OUTRIGGER USE

Statistics have proven that many crane accidents are a result of improper use of outriggers. Either the outriggers were not used or they were used incorrectly. The following general points should be followed unless the crane manufacturers operators manual and the cranes rated capacity chart instructs otherwise. All outriggers shall be used or the on rubber capacity chart must be used. Avoid using outriggers on the load side only. If not all outriggers are used the on rubber capacity chart must be used. If outriggers are used on the load side only, this practice can/may cause the crane to loose stability when the boom is rotated over the side with outriggers not deployed. When using an on outrigger capacity chart, all outriggers shall be extended to the recommended position according to crane manufacturers specifications and the cranes rated capacity chart. Extend all outriggers completely. If all outriggers are not completely deployed for any reason, the on rubber capacity chart shall be used. For cranes that do not have a on rubber chart, OUTRIGGERS SHALL BE DEPLOYED. All wheels/ tires shall be free of surface contact before lifting the load. If the wheels/ tires are not free of support surface contact the cranes tipping axis will be on the wheels/ tires. If the cranes weight is not removed from the tires, this condition will/ may cause oscillation of the carrier, causing the load radii to increase. The pads or floats shall be secured to the outrigger stabilizer cylinder. If they are not and a tipping condition occurs, the stabilizer cylinder may not re-engage the pad, the result will be a complete loss of support under that stabilizer, creating a loss of stability. Use proper cribbing under outrigger pads / floats when operating on soft or unstable support surface areas. Timber mats are the most common method used to increase the support bearing area of crawler cranes. Timber mats, as with all cribbing constructed from wood shall be through bolted to ensure that the timbers or wooden pieces do not separate with weight applied.

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Proper Leveling of the Crane Crane manufacturers provide load chart ratings for the various configurations that the crane can be operated in, these configurations are noted in the cranes rated capacity chart. The crane shall only be operated in the configurations specified in the crane manufacturers rated capacity for the crane being operated. Any deviation from these specifications must have approval from the crane manufacturer. Whether you are operating on rubber, crawler treads or outriggers, leveling the crane is critical to the safety of each lift. Level indicators are provided on most crane models and can be used for initial leveling of the crane. If the level indicator is damaged or missing it shall be replaced before the crane is put into service, unless other approved methods of leveling the crane are used. NOTE: These methods of leveling the crane must be approved by the crane manufacturer and within the guidelines of the ANSI B30.5 Standards for leveling the crane. A working crane may/ can settle during lifting operations, frequently check the crane for level. It may be necessary to re-level the crane. Always follow the crane manufacturer recommended procedure for leveling the crane.

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Wind Policy: It is recommended that each location establish a wind policy relative to crane operations. There have been numerous incidents reported where wind force acting on the load was sufficient to force the load seriously out of alignment thereby, side loading the crane boom to the point of collapse. Also, wind force acting on the boom structure itself often is sufficient to turn the crane over. Almost all crane manufacturers specify, in the load chart information, that chart ratings must be reduced under windy conditions. Recommendations are also made regarding a shut down when wind exceeds a specific velocity.

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WIND Cont

Wind affects both the crane and the load, reducing the rated capacity of the crane. Never make a full capacity lift if it is windy. Use a great deal of discretion even when lifting under moderate wind conditions of 20 MPH. it is advisable to avoid handling loads that present large wind catching surfaces. The result could be loss of control of the load and crane, even if the weight of the load is within the capacity of the crane. An example of the affects of wind on crane booms and crane loads is provided by the following example. A 20mph. wind exerts a force of only 11/8 lb/ft 2 on a flat surfaced load (the force on a 4X8 sheet of plywood = 36 lbs.) so only loads having a very large wind catching surface would require crane capacity derating. At 30 mph, however, the wind exerts a force of 2.53 lb/ft 2 on flat surface areas (the same 4x8 plywood sheet would have an added wind load equal to 80 lbs.) This is sufficient wind force to cause non-vertical hoist lines and loads that are/ may be difficult to control. Making regular contact with your local weather bureau will provide information relative to anticipated adverse wind conditions. Also, some facilities have installed anemometers which provide a audible alarm when wind velocity exceeds acceptable limits. In any case, operators, supervisors and / or crane owners should be aware of the adverse affects wind can have on cranes and loads. Consult your manufacturers manual fo specific warnings. If insufficient detail is provided in your users manual, contact the cranes manufacturer for specific instructions.

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