In cases of changing weather, lifts can continue if there is a plan in place in case high winds are reported nearby. Safety managers should be consulted before the start of every day. This will affect timelines of course, but a lost day is much better than lost materials, broken equipment, or especially serious injuries and/or death. If higher winds are a probability, postponing the lift is always an option. It is always important to think about decreasing the angle of the lift, the weight of the load, or the height of the lift if at all possible. The occasional light gust should always be considered, but if the winds are below 20 mph, normal lifting operations may continue as planned.
CRANE LIFT WIND SPEED LIMITS HOW TO
A crane operator should never be “flying blind.” How to Handle High Winds Heavy rain, snow, or fog can also create these situations. Wind can affect other aspects of a lift, such as blowing dust that obscures the visibility between a crane operator and their lift or signal person on the ground.
Capacity deductions vary based on crane model and boom length between 20-39 mph. Generally speaking, cranes should proceed with extreme caution when winds are between 0-20 mph. Because of that, manufacturers also list wind limits when the crane is in use, such as maximum wind gusts before the crane must stop or decrease operations.
Looking at weather reports beforehand will give operators, safety managers, and project managers a way to plan the day.Īll cranes use load charts that are prepared as if there is no wind. Without these safety operator aids, crane operators must rely on outside resources for delivering vital information. Link-Belt cranes also include weather radios in their cabs to keep the operators up to date with live weather conditions. Newer crane operator cabs have wind speed indicators that inform the operators of current wind conditions. Even though larger cranes weigh significantly more when you include the added counterweight, the effect of the wind on the lifted load, booms, and/or jibs can still be catastrophic to the equipment if not appropriately accounted for.
From the smallest carry decks to the largest all-terrain and crawler cranes, operators need to be aware of how the wind may affect their lifts. Regardless of size, wind shows no favoritism. For the equipment, materials, crane operator, and anyone else in the vicinity. Even with the crane technology of today, any unexpected high winds can turn the simplest lifts dangerous. They all have one thing in common though: sudden changes in the weather can make any lifting job that much more difficult. But they aren’t designed for the heaviest loads.
Mobile and agile boom trucks are found at almost any large construction site, even helping erect other cranes. Tower cranes are perfect for skyscraper construction, but not at all feasible on a wind farm. However, not every crane can be used for every situation, nor are they ready for every situation. From hoisting public utility crews for powerline service or lifting hundreds of tons of material hundreds of feet in the air, there’s a crane for every situation. Whether it’s involved in construction or demolition, industrial or agricultural, maintenance or repair, there are thousands of uses for cranes.
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