Crane & Lifting Safety in CRM-III — EOT Cranes, Coil Handling, Rigging & Safe Lifting Operations

Learn at your own pace. Review the examples, illustrations and safety controls before applying the knowledge at work.

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Crane & Lifting Safety in CRM-III

EOT Cranes • Coil Handling • Rigging • Safe Lifting Operations

Safety principle: Never stand under a suspended load.

1. Learning Objectives

Identify crane and lifting hazards in CRM-III.
Verify lifting capacity, equipment condition and load stability.
Apply safe communication, exclusion zones and emergency response.

2. Why Lifting Safety Matters

EOT cranes, hoists, coil lifters, C-hooks, tongs, slings and lifting beams move heavy loads. Failure can cause crushing, struck-by injuries, equipment damage and fatalities. A suspended load is never a safe place to stand beneath.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

Role	Responsibility
Crane operator	Operate only when authorized and competent; inspect controls and brakes; follow agreed signals; stop when unsure.
Rigger / slinger	Select and inspect approved lifting accessories, attach load securely and check balance.
Signal person	Use agreed signals or radio communication; remain visible or maintain reliable communication.
Supervisor / lift planner	Assess load, travel route, capacity, hazards, personnel and any required lift plan or permit.

4. Essential Lifting Terms

Term	Meaning
Rated capacity / SWL / WLL	Maximum permissible load under the specified equipment or accessory configuration. Use the applicable manufacturer rating and site rules.
Centre of gravity	Point where load weight is balanced; poor positioning can cause tilting.
Sling angle	Angle of sling legs affects tension; shallow angles can greatly increase leg forces.
Exclusion zone	Controlled area that keeps people away from the load and potential travel or fall path.

Important: The capacity of a lift is limited by its lowest-rated component and actual configuration. Never assume that a sling, hook or lifting attachment has the same rating as the crane.

5. Pre-Lift Inspection

Confirm equipment certification/inspection status as required by BSL procedures.
Check hook and safety latch, wire rope/chain, brakes, limit switches, controls and audible/visual warning devices.
Inspect slings, shackles, lifting beams, C-hooks, coil tongs and other attachments for identification, damage, distortion or wear.
Confirm load weight, centre of gravity, rigging method, crane rated capacity and travel path.
Check floor conditions, obstructions, overhead services and nearby workers.
Remove defective equipment from service and report it. Do not improvise repairs.

6. Safe Lifting Sequence

Plan the lift and identify hazards; use an approved lift plan for non-routine or critical lifts.
Barricade the danger area and assign a designated signal person when required.
Attach approved lifting gear at designated points and ensure secure seating.
Make a small trial lift just clear of the support to check balance and rigging.
Move smoothly; avoid sudden starts, stops, side pulls and load swinging.
Keep everyone outside the suspended load path and crush zones.
Lower onto a stable support; release rigging only after the load is fully supported.

7. CRM-III Area-Specific Examples

Area	Typical lift	Key control
PL / TCM	Coil transfer, roll and component handling	Correct coil attachment; no person between coil and fixed structure
HDGL / CAL	Coils, rolls, equipment assemblies	Verify lifting points and clear equipment interfaces
SPM / CPL / TLIL	Coils, work rolls and maintenance spares	Stable load, controlled travel, adequate clearance
BAF / coil yard	Coil stacking and lifting	Approved coil lifter, safe stack height and stable landing surface
Maintenance shop	Motors, gearboxes, pumps	Known weight and centre of gravity; engineered lifting points

8. Critical Unsafe Practices

Never:

Walk or work beneath a suspended load.
Exceed the rated capacity of any component.
Lift with damaged or unidentified rigging.
Pull a load sideways with a crane unless expressly engineered and authorized.
Use hands to guide a load at pinch points; use approved tag lines where suitable.
Allow unauthorized persons to operate cranes or direct lifting.
Leave a suspended load unattended unless the equipment and approved procedure expressly permit it.

9. Abnormal Conditions and Emergency Response

If a load swings uncontrollably, rigging slips, a brake fails, or communication is lost: stop the operation if safe, warn others, clear the hazard area and notify the responsible supervisor/control room. Do not attempt to catch, steady or pass beneath the load. Isolate defective equipment and follow the approved emergency response procedure. Do not attempt a rescue under an unstable suspended load.

10. Daily Safety Checklist

Check	Yes / No / N.A.
Authorized operator and rigger assigned	_____
Crane and lifting accessory checks completed	_____
Rated capacity and load weight verified	_____
Rigging and centre of gravity checked	_____
Travel path and exclusion zone clear	_____
Communication method agreed	_____
Landing area stable and prepared	_____
Defects reported and equipment removed from service	_____

11. Key Takeaways

Plan before lifting. Know the weight, capacity, rigging and route.
Inspect before use. Reject defective lifting gear.
Stay out of the line of fire. Never stand below a suspended load or in a pinch zone.
Stop if uncertain. Resume only after the hazard is controlled.

Reference: Source not supplied ·