Safety Guidelines

Significant and serious injuries may occur if cranes are not inspected
before use and not used properly. Often these injuries occur when a
worker is struck by an overhead load or caught within the crane’s
swing radius. Many crane fatalities occur when the boom of a crane
or its load line contact an overhead power line.

Check all crane controls to ensure proper operation before use.

Inspect wire rope, chains, and hook for any damage.
Know the weight of the load the crane is to lift.
Ensure that the load does not exceed the crane’s rated capacity.
Raise the load a few inches to verify balance and the
effectiveness of the brake system.
Check all rigging prior to use; do not wrap hoist ropes or
chains around the load.
Fully extend outriggers.
Do not move a load over workers.
Barricade accessible areas within the crane’s swing radius.
Watch for overhead electrical distribution and transmission
lines, and maintain a safe working clearance of at least 10 ft
from energized electrical lines.

Crane and Derrick Safety

Allow only properly trained and qualified operators to work
with hoisting and rigging equipment.
Make sure that cranes and derricks are restricted from
operating within 10 ft (3 m) of any electrical power line.
Post and make visible to the operator the rated load capacities,
operating speed, and instructions.
Make sure cranes are equipped with a load chart, and that
operators understand and use the load chart.
Make sure the operator can determine the angle and length of
the crane boom at all times.
Make sure crane machinery and other rigging equipment
is inspected daily prior to use to ensure that it is in good
condition.
Barricade accessible areas within the crane’s swing radius.
Use tag lines to prevent dangerous swing or spin of materials
when raised or lowered by a crane or derrick.
Post illustrations of hand signals to crane and derrick operators
on the job site.
Make sure the signal person uses correct signals for the crane
operator to follow.
Make sure crane outriggers are extended when required.
Make sure crane platforms and walkways have antiskid
surfaces.
Remove broken, worn, or damaged wire rope from service.
Provide guardrails, handholds, and steps for safe and easy
access to and from all areas of the crane.
Make sure load testing reports/certifications are available.
Make sure tower crane mast bolts are properly torqued to the
manufacturer’s specifications.
Make sure overload limits are tested and correctly set.
Post the maximum acceptable load and the last test results on
the crane.
Make sure annual inspections of all hoisting and rigging
equipment are
Safety Guidelines forklift

Only authorized employees must operate forklifts.

Do not allow any riders on a forklift.
Do not raise people on a forklift.
Do not speed.
Always drive up and back down ramps.
Do not walk, stand, or work under the elevated portion of a forklift
(even if it is not loaded).
Make sure that the forklift has an overhead barrier to protect the
operator from falling objects.
Always work within the capacity limits of the forklift being used.
Check with the manufacturer before modifying the operation or
capacity limits of a forklift.
Do not operate a forklift in areas within hazardous concentrations of
acetylene, butadiene, hydrogen, ethylene, or diethyl ether, or other
explosive environment.
Never lift a load while moving the forklift; completely stop the forklift
before raising its mast.
Make sure that the top load sits squarely on the stack; an uneven
load could topple.
Travel with loads slightly tilted back to provide stability.
Travel with loads at the proper height; a stable clearance height is
usually 4 in. to 6 in (15 cm). at the tips and 2 in. at the heels of fork blades.
Lift stacked loads in the same manner as loads on the floor.
Always drive the forklift with the load upgrade when ascending or
descending a grade in excess of 10%.
Always drive forklift in reverse if not able to see over a load.
Do not try to look around a load and drive forward.
Always lower the mast when preparing to leave the forklift
unattended—neutralize the controls, shut off the power, and set
the brakes. (The forklift is unattended when the operator is more
than 25 ft away, or the forklift is out of the operator’s view.)