Thursday, July 31, 2014

Why Tower Crane Inspections Are Necessary

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.

With increasing construction work, many cranes have been hired for these projects. Tower cranes manufacturers have also increased their productions so as to sell many cranes to ensure the projects are catered for. Even with these rising need for more cranes, the manufacturer is obliged to ensure production of standard machines and accessories that are durable and offer maximum safety.

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.

All cranes must be thoroughly inspected at the start of a construction. Regular inspections are also necessary as required by law, and these should be done by specialized, certified, and competent technicians. It is the responsibility cranes users to ensure all inspections are carried out and reports and records provided. Such inspection reports are used to analyze the performance of cranes and schedule maintenance tasks.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment