As the summer season brings a busy schedule of events, prioritising safety for everyone on site is essential. Crane operations, often integral to event setups, require meticulous planning and execution. This guide to crane safety for event organisation showcases the importance of crane and safety measures and the advantages of our versatile crane fleet.
Understanding Crane Lifting Safety
Crane lifting safety is essential in any environment, but particularly during events where public safety is a priority. The risks associated with crane operations include equipment failure, human error and environmental conditions. Understanding these hazards is the first step in ensuring effective crane operations and overall safety.
Summer-Specific Safety Challenges
Summer events present distinct challenges for crane lifting safety, requiring careful consideration and planning to ensure efficient and secure operations. Here are some of the key challenges and the technical measures necessary to address them:
1. High Temperatures and Equipment Performance
- Heat Stress on Equipment: High temperatures can affect the performance and longevity of crane components. Hydraulic systems in particular may overheat, leading to potential failures. Close monitoring of equipment temperatures and effective cooling measures are essential to support crane lifting safety.
- Lubrication and Fluid Management: Heat increases the rate of evaporation and degradation of lubricants and hydraulic fluids. Regular checks and timely replacements are essential to maintain optimal equipment performance and safe crane operations.
2. Operator Heat Stress
- Operator Safety: High temperatures pose a risk of heat stress to crane operators, which can impair judgement and reaction times, impacting crane lifting safety. Implementing mandatory breaks, providing shaded areas and ensuring proper hydration are vital measures to support effective crane and safety management. For more information, view HSE’s Heat Stress guidelines.
- Monitoring Systems: Utilising wearable technology to monitor body temperature and heart rate can help ensure operator well-being and prevent heat-related incidents.
3. Unpredictable Weather Patterns
- Sudden Storms and High Winds: Summer weather can be unpredictable, with sudden storms or gusts of wind posing serious risks. Wind speed sensors and anemometers should be used to monitor conditions in real-time, and operations should be halted if wind speeds exceed safe limits.
- Lightning Safety: Cranes are particularly vulnerable to lightning strikes. Implementing lightning detection systems and adhering to safety protocols during thunderstorms is crucial.
4. Increased Foot Traffic and Public Safety
- Crowd Management: Events often lead to increased foot traffic, making robust control measures essential. Barriers and clear signage around crane operations help prevent unauthorised access and maintain effective crane safety for events.
- Visibility and Communication: High-visibility clothing for operators and ground crew, along with clear communication protocols using radios or headsets, ensures everyone is aware of ongoing operations and any potential hazards.
5. Soil Conditions and Ground Stability
- Ground Stability: High temperatures can lead to soil drying and cracking affecting ground stability. Conducting thorough geotechnical assessments prior to crane setup helps in determining appropriate ground stabilisation measures such as matting or additional supports.
- Load Distribution: Correct load distribution, achieved through the use of outriggers and spreader plates, is vital for maintaining stability on uneven or shifting ground and ensures safety for all lifting operations.
By addressing these summer-specific challenges with technical precision and thorough planning, Total Lifting Services ensures that every crane operation meets the highest standards of safety, delivering effective lifts even in the most demanding conditions.
Total Lifting’s Commitment to Safety
At Total Lifting Services, safety is more than a requirement: it’s a commitment. As an accredited Alcumus SafeContractor we adhere to rigorous safety standards and provide top-notch training for our operators. This dedication ensures that every lifting operation is executed with the utmost care and professionalism.
Our Crane Fleet – A Great Choice for Events
Our diverse and robust crane fleet is ideally suited to the varied demands of event setups, supporting reliable crane safety for event operations while maintaining efficiency. Here’s a closer look at some key cranes in our fleet:
Böcker AK36/4000
The Böcker AK36/4000 is a powerhouse of performance and reliability, boasting an impressive payload capacity of up to 4 tons. This crane is designed to combine agility with strength, making it perfect for event applications that require huge working loads and maximum efficiency. With a maximum jib length of 36 metres, the AK36/4000 offers unrivalled performance, ensuring smooth operations and high standards of crane lifting safety throughout event setups.
Böcker AK46/6000
For projects requiring mobile crane hire with extended reach capabilities, the Böcker AK46/6000 is an ideal choice. Its design allows easy access to the rear sides of roofs or buildings. Despite its powerful capabilities, this 6-ton crane maintains a comparatively low body weight and can be mounted on an 18 or 26-ton truck. On-site, this crane can achieve a reach of up to 39 metres with a 250 kg load and 26 metres with a 1,000 kg load, maintaining an almost circular radius for enhanced versatility.
Böcker AK52/12000
Setting new standards in the 32-ton class of 4-axle mobile cranes, the Böcker AK52 can lift 3,000 kg to a remarkable radius of 17 metres at a height of 31 metres, making it one of the strongest and most versatile options available. This crane is well-suited for complex and heavy-duty event setups, offering unparalleled strength and reach.
Liebherr LTM 1060 3.1
Our fleet also features the latest Liebherr LTM 1060-3.1, delivering an impressive lift capacity of 60 tons and a maximum boom length of 48 metres. This crane is equipped with a special ballast plate configuration that allows it to handle a wide range of driving conditions, making it a reliable mobile crane for events.
Each crane in our fleet is maintained to the highest standards to ensure reliable performance and consistent crane lifting safety. Our experienced team is on hand to help you select the most suitable mobile crane for events, delivering efficient solutions that offer complete peace of mind.
Looking for a Mobile Crane for your Event? Contact us Today
Safety in crane operations is crucial to the success of any event. By partnering with experienced and accredited services like Total Lifting, event organisers can ensure that their lifting needs are met safely and professionally.
For those seeking professional crane hire and lifting services, contact Total Lifting today. Call us on 0208 226 4000 and speak to our team. Our expertise and commitment to crane safety for events can help your event run smoothly from start to finish.