The Benefits Of Hiring A Crane Rigger
A crane rigger is a person who is trained to aid in the installation and operation of cranes. A crane rigger is not a crane operator; however, they do work alongside the operator to ensure safety at the site. Below is an excerpt discussing the benefits of hiring a crane rigger at your site.
Crane Selection And Inspection
An experienced crane rigger will help you choose an appropriate crane. Typically, the rigger will need to understand the project specifications and the prevailing site conditions. For instance, a rough-terrain crane is ideal when working on uneven ground. On the other hand, crawler cranes have a long boom and can lift very heavy weights.
The rigger will also inspect the crane before hire and at the site to ensure it meets the required safety standards. For instance, the crane outriggers or mats should support the maximum weight you intend to lift. Additionally, the crane's engine and hydraulic system should be fully functional. The rigger will also look out for defects such as damaged wire ropes, broken bearings and pulleys.
Crane Installation
Once you hire a mobile or tower crane, the crane rigger will determine the best place to install it. Ideally, the crane should be installed on a firm surface to ensure it will not sink when lifting heavy loads. The rigger will also look out for overhead hazards such as electric lines, nearby buildings and trees. They will also check the weather to ensure the area will not have strong winds or storms when you will be using the crane.
Onsite Safety Protocol
The rigger will help develop an onsite safety protocol. He or she will:
- Inform site personnel how the crane will operate. For instance, will it swing to the left or right? This ensures that no one gets hit by the boom or load.
- Determine an appropriate location to load and offload the crane.
- Inform the operator of blind spots. They should be marked to ensure site personnel avoid those areas.
- The rigger will conduct risk assessments at the beginning of each shift and develop control measures to reduce the risk of accidents.
Crane Operation
The rigger is in charge of attaching and detaching loads at the site. He or she ensures that the crane operates within its weight limits. Besides, the rigger signals the crane operator to inform him when to raise or lower the crane. The rigger will also be on the lookout for crane defects such as leaking hydraulic fluid or a worn-out wire rope.
A crane rigger will choose an appropriate crane, conduct crane inspections and installations, develop an onsite safety protocol and guide the crane operator. As a rule, the rigger must have proper certification and a high-risk work licence.