Crane Safety Operations Near Power Lines

14 June 2020

Generally, cranes play a vital role in a wide variety of industries. They are often used in lifting and moving heavy materials that cannot be carried by humans from one place to another. Some materials that are being lifted and moved by this equipment include construction materials, shipping materials, railroad tracks, mobile homes, scrap metal, cars, and so on.

What makes crane functional and powerful are brought by their overall composition and the fundamental mechanics behind them. Cranes are comprised of hoist ropes, wire ropes, chains, and sheaves that enable them to lift heavy loads that exceed the lifting capacity of humans. A typical tower crane can lift around 18,000 kilograms. As for its height, a crane can reach around 8,000 centimetres and can even go higher if it is attached to a building.

The height of most types of cranes can be a concern for some contractors, especially if their site is located near power lines. For a safe crane operation, you may want to adhere to the following guidelines:

Assess the Surrounding Condition

One of the few things that you should always do before installing a crane in your site is to assess the surrounding condition. You must look for specific elements that can cause problems and issues to your crane operations. Most of the time, the presence of power lines impedes the overall operations of cranes. Remember that these power lines are supplied with a huge voltage of current, so you must be very careful in setting up and operating your cranes. You should also maintain a safe, workable distance.

Work at a Safe, Workable Distance

As mentioned, power lines carry a high voltage of current. Once these lines touch the metallic parts of your crane, then it would cause catastrophic incidents and injuries around your site. Believe it or not, distance can make a huge difference in making your crane operations free from deadly accidents. If the surrounding power lines carry 50 kilovolts, then your crane should be at least 10 feet away from them. Alternatively, a distance 20 feet is recommended for lines with more than 50 kilovolts but less than 350 kilovolts of power. Lastly, a crane must be situated at least 50 feet away from 350 kilovolt-power lines.

And when it rains, the crane must operate as far as possible from the power lines. Water can easily amplify the effects of the current when the crane boom touches the power lines. Thus, making the said operation hazardous for anyone who is inside and around the crane.

Jump Off the Crane Right Away

Guidelines governing safe crane operations do not mean that you are 100% safe from threats and dangers. There is still a possibility that your crane boom will accidentally touch the power lines. Once this incident happens, the crane operator must immediately jump off the crane and run as far as possible. They must also try to land on both feet right away to avoid getting an electric shock. If ever this happens, you must avoid touching the components of the crane to prevent getting electrocuted.

Knowing these guidelines and tips can help you prevent any fatal accidents in your crane site. If you want to know more about safe crane operations, just contact us at Sharp Welding and Crane Hire. We have been in business since 1980, and we understand how to provide top-quality welding, structural steel fabrication, maintenance, erection, and ‘crane hire’ services to a wide assortment of clients.