Check with the local electrical utility to determine if the electrical lines can be de-energized or isolated.ġ3. If there are overhead power lines located within the rotation radius of the crane, make sure there is sufficient clearance to prevent accidental contact. If the crane operator feels weather conditions pose a safety concern at lower wind speeds, they should have the authority to shut down the crane.ġ2. Make known the maximum allowable wind speed according to the manufacturer’s or governing agency’s requirement and stop crane operations once sustained winds or gusts reach that level. Equip tower cranes with anemometers to measure wind gust, average wind speed and wind turbulence.
Prior to hoisting any load, its weight and any ancillary weights must be calculated along with the boom dimensions and working radius to ensure loads are within the crane’s rated capacity.ġ1. The rigging program should cover proper selection of equipment required to safely perform all hoisting operations, inspection of all equipment regularly and prior to hoisting each load, as well as storage and maintenance of equipment.ġ0. Before tower crane operations begin, a rigging program should be in place and a qualified rigger assigned who has the training to oversee rigging activities associated with the project and authorization to shut down hoisting operations deemed unsafe. As soon as possible after completing the tower crane erection, take an initial or control elevation reading, then set intervals for monitoring readings to determine if any settlement has occurred. Loose nuts or bolts should be replaced rather than re-torqued.Ĩ. All nuts and bolts must be well lubricated, of the correct size and grade, and tightened sufficiently to develop a pretension greater than the dynamic loads that will be applied to them. A common error in tower crane erection is applying improper bolting and torqueing procedures. Properly torque or replace nuts and bolts. A qualified project manager/superintendent responsible for coordinating and overseeing the installation must be in place along with safety measures that ensure compliance with approved plans, traffic and pedestrian controls, in addition to weather condition restrictions.ħ. Erection of tower cranes requires workers experienced in such operations, including a licensed master rigger, lift director and certified tower crane operator.
#CRANE LIFT WIND SPEED LIMITS PROFESSIONAL#
A wind action plan should be developed that proactively addresses safety measures and procedures, according to requirements of the tower crane manufacturer, city/state/municipal agency and/or professional tower crane engineer. It’s critical for each contractor to review the plan with the crew that will perform the work and for crew members to sign the plan, certifying that they participated in the meeting and understand the plan.ĥ. Each contractor submits their plan to the general contractor/ construction manager for review, and the approved plan is covered in the preconstruction safety meeting. Complete a risk assessment/job safety work plan for each tower crane operation, listing the sequence of steps for each task, their potential hazards and the measures that will be taken to eliminate or control them. The general contractor should hold a preconstruction safety meeting before erecting, jumping, climbing and dismantling the crane, with required attendance by the general contractor or construction manager, tower crane engineer, master rigger, lift director, safety manager, tower crane operator, jumping crew, signal person and flagger.Ĥ. proper means of communication and signaling with tower crane operators.All workers engaged in tower crane activities should demonstrate completion of safety training that addresses: An independent firm can review the engineer’s drawings and calculations, and should provide periodic, onsite inspection of the tower crane erection, jumping, climbing and dismantling operations to verify that installation and procedures comply with approved plans.ģ. No work involving tower cranes should commence until these plans are approved.Ģ. The engineer’s drawings and specifications then go to the building department for review. as well as equipment and component lists, including the crane manufacturer, model number, pertinent radius and capacity details.The engineer then develops a detailed, engineered plan and drawings throughout the tower crane’s lifecycle on the project. A licensed professional engineer specializing in tower crane operations can select the best type, size and number of tower cranes for the project based on a range of factors.