Tuesday, August 5, 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.

There has been an increase in production of these machines by engineering plants due to the high number of buildings and structures set to be constructed. The manufacturers despite the increased demand are still required to maintain the required standard of machines for safety purposes. However, since they cannot be one 100 percent safe, maintenance and inspection services are crucial at the construction sites.

Since these cranes are erected very high meters above, stabilizing them is important to prevent toppling, disassembling, falling, or causing any movement that could lead to a heavy load falling or destruction of other structures. The ground for hoisting this equipment should be checked for signs of weakness by a skilled person. The mast is then mounted on a concrete slab to make it firmly stable.

Some cranes are even attached to other structures by their sides to boost stability. Due to the stability requirements and ability to move loads, tower cranes are heavy. They are made of many materials such as cables, ropes, steel frames, operator cabin, ball bearings, engines, and hydraulic cylinders among others that enables them function as required. Maintenance is necessary for such machines.

All operators and workers involved in slinging loads and supervising lifting operations, must be adequately trained, certified, and competent. You as the employer should ensure that you get qualified contractors. These contractors are available in many crane hire companies. When a crane is hired, supervising, planning, and carrying out lifting operations are tasks left to you as the user and the person you awarded the contract.

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.

Advanced ultrasonic technology allows inspection be done fast without disassembling the cranes. High technology equipment such as borescopes and pendants are also used. In essence, employing skilled supervisors, workers, and crane operators reduces some of the risks. If inspections and repairs are not done in time, more problems arise, which may be catastrophic.




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