Overhead Crane - General

There are many types of overhead cranes, all of which can pose hazards if they are not used properly and with adequate safety precautions. Strict guidelines and safety regulations are published by OSHA (US Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration Department). By adhering to these standards and rules, you protect your company from some of the injuries and lawsuits that can be served against companies requiring employees to operate heavy machinery.

Some of OSHA's laws on crane design and manufacture govern the following things.
1-Uniform crane control design and manufacture
2-Trolley and bridge bumper design
3-Stairway and ladder design
4-Trolley and bridge brakes
5-Design and manufacture of electrical components
6-Hoisting equipment design and manufacture

There are several basic types of overhead cranes. OSHA's laws and regulations apply to the following cranes.
1-Cantilever gantry
2-Gantry
3-Semi-gantry
4-Storage bridge
5-Wall

All of these require using the appropriate overhead crane parts for all repairs, as substitutions may result in accidents or defective operation of the machinery.

If you or your employees will be operating cranes and other heavy machinery, here are some safety tips to remember.
1-Cranes should only be used and operated by designated persons.
2-If a crane has been installed since 1971, it must meet all OSHA specifications.
3-An equipment manufacturer or engineer must inspect any crane that has been altered to change its load capacity.
4-You must have a cleared walkway on the side of the crane and above it.
5-You must clearly mark the load capacity of a crane so that everyone who might operate it can see it.
6-If a crane has two or more hoists, you have to clearly mark the load capacity of each hoist so that everyone who might operate it can see it.