When you show up on a job, you expect to go home at the end of the day. However, if you are in a hurry and don’t adhere to the safety factors of your truck crane bodies, you might end up in the hospital instead of home. In some cases, you could even be killed if a truck crane tips over while you are operating it. Instead of being a statistic, think safety first when you are heading to a job.
Don’t Get Used to Your Job
When you get into your crane truck, treat it like you’ve never seen it before. Be sure to do any safety checks before you leave for the job. Make sure the proper maintenance required for truck crane bodies has been completed every month – don’t skip the maintenance and when you do it, double check everything. A malfunctioning support could mean the difference between life and death. And, make sure your mind is 100 percent on your job. Just one slip-up could ruin your day or someone else’s day.
When You Arrive at the Job Site
As much as you would love to get to work right away so that you can get to the next job or so you can get home at the end of the day, take the time to make sure the crane is set up properly and safely before you begin your work. Make sure the ground for the stabilizers is solid so that they won’t sink and allow the truck to top while you are working with the crane. You’ll also want to be sure that there are no power lines above your work area, especially low-hanging power lines. Know the height of your crane and the height of the wires before you extend the crane.
Qualifications
Regardless of the type of crane and truck crane body you have, even if it’s a Knapheide that is made to be safe, you need to be qualified on the equipment. The National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators trains candidates and issues certifications. When you go through the course, you’ll learn about using cranes in a safe manner and you’ll know whether you qualify pursuant to ANSI ad OSHA rules.
Know About the Job
Your job as a crane operator changes every time you go out to a job site. The weight of the lift will be different, the angle at which you have to perform the lift, whether a bridge or wires are in the way and several other factors change from job to job. Part of being safe is knowing how much you are lifting, especially if you are working with a lighter crane. When you lift, you’ll need to see your load every time you lift, so be sure to set the crane and truck in a spot where your vision is not limited.
Know Your Crane
You can purchase truck crane bodies and cranes from Drake-Scruggs, plus you could add several items to the truck crane bodies to best fit the type of work you do. In addition to the crane, add bumpers, tool boxes, locks and more. Regardless of which truck crane body and crane you choose, be sure that you know how to operate the specific crane and crane truck body combination you purchase.
