When you look at a bridge crane that is installed in a production facility, loading or unloading area or in a shipping area, it is easy to fall into the trap of assuming these cranes can handle anything the operators need to move.
Unfortunately, this is really not the case, with all overhead cranes designed with specific ratings that include the weight of the load, operating conditions and other factors. Operating bridge cranes outside of the parameters of the design and construction of the crane can result in very serious safety and workplace risks.
Too often, inexperienced and untrained operators use overhead cranes incorrectly. At best this will result in possible damage to the crane system or a decreased life cycle while in a worst case scenario, it can result in the loss of a load or the tragic loss of life or injury.
Cranes Don’t Require Load Maximum Monitoring
While it is very true that the manufacturer of any crane system will account for an occasional over weight limit load, this is a very slight difference in the weight. Overloading a bridge crane of any design in a one-time lift and move or on a regular basis is a dangerous issue.
Additionally, consider the weight that the building can support. Often the crane system will have no trouble in handling the weight, but the building cannot support the extra load, leading to the risk of structural damage.
Upper Limits to a Lift
When lifting the load, it is not necessary, safe or desirable to lift until the load to the maximum height. This can include the load hitting the upper limit switch. Not only is this an error, but it can put additional stress on the crane system, leading to a shorter lifecycle and increased need of repairs.
Finally, never assume that a safety inspection is just a regulation issue with overhead cranes. Take these seriously as simple issues can often signify a pending or a current problem with the crane.
