ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Among the most dangerous operations at Anniston Army Depot, is the use of overhead cranes.
Overhead cranes provide the essential ability to move vehicles, parts and equipment from one work station to another.
That ability comes with a huge safety concern for employees who work around this machinery.
With that in mind, here are some important tips for working around overhead cranes:
• Only qualified, licensed operators are permitted to operate lifting equipment.
• Inspect the crane movement and any attachments at the beginning of each shift.
• Do not operate/use lifting equipment which is not in good operating condition.
• Check the Next Periodic Inspection date on the crane as well as on all lifting equipment.
• Ensure familiarity with the operating controls, procedures and warnings of the particular crane being used.
• Use safety latches when possible; ensure they are functional and not supporting any part of the load.
• Remove all slings, cables and chains from the crane hooks when not in use (dangling hooks can inadvertently snag other objects when a crane is moving).
• Never lift a load beyond the safe carrying capacity of lifting slings or the rated capacity of the crane.
• Lift loads vertically and avoid side pulls.
• Ensure loads are hoisted high enough to clear all obstacles below the crane.
• Loads shall not be carried over personnel.
If you are an employee working in an area serviced by an overhead crane, always practice good situational awareness. Be familiar with, and listen for, the warning alarm, which alerts employees that the crane is moving. Stay clear of loads about to be lifted and never walk under a suspended load.
For more information, consult ANAD 385-1, the Employee Safety Handbook or call the Safety Office at Ext. 7541.
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