Thursday 31 July 2014

Importance Of Carrying Out Tower Crane Inspections

By Annabelle Holman


Advancement in technology and modernization has obviously led to inventions of highly advanced and sophisticated types of cranes, tower cranes being among them. These large lifters are much safer and efficient than ancient types, which used ropes that could snap. Such machines besides occupying lager areas for stability could also disassemble anyhow causing disasters. However, modern tower cranes though much efficient and reliable being they can develop errors and breakages, and that is why tower crane inspections are important.

Without repair and inspections, they could put human life at risks. Thus, there is a constant need for regular inspections to reduce risks of injuries or even huge calamities. These cranes are in construction of tall buildings. Nowadays, taller and even more complex towers and structures are being designed.

Cranes and lifting accessories must always be of adequate strength, tested, and subjected to the required examinations and inspections. Stability of these machines is important to ensure no danger is posed to workers and other people. These heavy equipment must be erected on great foundation to prevent toppling or any unnecessary movements that might compromise the safety of people working on sites.

At times, the cranes may require to be attached to other structures. The mast is usually heavy being made up of steel trussed sections. Together with the other units such as, hook, jib or the operating arm, the operating cabin, engines and other accessories, the crane is very heavy. Any fault in any of these parts if not repaired in time can lead to collapse of such cranes causing deaths, injuries, and damages.

Poor planning, hiring unskilled persons for crane operations and poor inspections practices often come with consequences. The machines are heavy and need to be stable for the rest of the construction period. If erected on soft soils and with poor methods of stabilization, the machines could topple and dismantle killing people, injuring others, and destroying near structures and buildings. This follows large costs and legal cases especially if you are not covered by insurance.

Therefore by not employing the right people puts you at legal risks, and you can incur huge losses in case of damages. At the same time, you also put lives of people at risk. Many hazards can occur if poor supervision of cranes operations is done by unskilled. The cranes could dismantle if not well erected. They could detach from the attached structures and injure people and destroy property.

Other parts may have broken and need repair. If no inspections are done for the specified time given by the law, the faults may increase and become hazardous. Therefore, when giving contracts for your construction projects it is important that you employ the right person with adequate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience. The contractors can be hired from crane hire companies. They have great skills in planning and supervision.

In terms of maintenance, ensure the inspectors are qualified and ensure safety is attained when using these equipments. The technicians use the latest technologies and have advanced knowledge to identify even hidden faults in cranes. All parts of cranes are critically examined periodically to ensure they are functioning properly. With every inspection, reports are provided that help in determining the suitability of the machine in carrying load. The load lifting capacity of cranes reduces as they age because some of the parts become weak.




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