Equipment for the safe control of cranes
Fourth Quarter 2004
Other technologies
Despite the current legislation (act 85 of 1993) many cranes are still not fitted with the required safety equipment. Most mines and larger metal and petrochemical companies are checking and inspecting cranes for the required equipment to be fitted. Should the machine not meet with the legal requirements, the crane will not be allowed access onto the site, or be prevented from operating until the required equipment has been fitted and/or serviced.
While it has been noticed that a number of cranes are fitted with a form of safe load indicator, these systems often do not conform to the legal requirements. Some safety officers or crane owners believe that the machine conforms to the previously allowed hook load indicators that do not automatically compare the lifted load to the allowed maximum rated capacity as per the manufacturers rating chart.
The safe load indicators (also known as rated capacity indicators) assist the operator in determining that the load being lifted is within the manufacturers designed capacity. They also help in minimising downtime, as the crane is not regularly subjected to overload conditions or operator misuse.
Mobile cranes and all winch operated lifting equipment with a lifting capacity of 5 t or more, must be load tested annually for mechanical fitness and correct operation of the safe load indicator. Should the lifting machine meet the required specifications, a load test certificate will be issued. The person performing the load test must be certified and competent. The system must not require manual adjustment by the operator when performing a lift, the machines must also be equipped with an over hoist limiting device (anti-2-block) and a lever cut-off system. The lever cut-off must inhibit unsafe actions, which may make the situation more dangerous, but also allow the operator to correct the unsafe condition. There is new legislation presently being formulated and considered, which will be known as BS 7121-2, which will very clearly state the requirements which need to be met and adhered to.
Elec-Mech has specialised in manufacturing crane safe load indicators for the past 18 years. The company has recently been appointed as the distributors for the VEI range of front-end and wheel loader range of weighing and management systems. A dumper load system for rigid off-highway dump trucks is also manufactured by VEI. The ability to accurately determine the load and keep records works to prevent the overloading of equipment, which brings saving in maintenance costs.
For more information contact Elec-Mech, +27 (0) 11 792 1084, [email protected], www.cranesafety.co.za
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