Lifting and Rigging Toolbox Talk

Lifting and Rigging Safety Talk

Anytime you work in an environment that has physical hazards that apply, you should be educated on the safety protocols for the job. It is the best thing to do for the employees and the safety of all involved. Work that involves mechanical lifting and rigging falls into the category of having high hazards.

There are many instances that can occur in this industry that involve minor injuries, serious injuries, and even fatalities. It should be part of the regulation to inform all employees of the hazards that are involved with their job title and inform them of the proper safety techniques that should be used. Safety is the number one priority that should be paid attention to.

Incidents That Can Happen With Lifting and Rigging

While there are many things that can go wrong when lifting and rigging, there are some that happen more often than not. If a chain, sling, or wire rope were to break while crane lifting, it can cause many instances of injury or death. Some of the many injuries that can happen are:

• Enduring a sprain

• Getting crushed by a load

• Being electrocuted

• Someone falling

• Being struck by a falling load

Sometimes, even during the safest of precautions being used, instances can happen. That is why it is very important that people know the hazards that are possible when working. This will help them to be more aware of what is going on around them and be able to protect themselves better. Also, everyone should always be wearing proper PPE.

Ways To Practice Safe Work Habits

Staying safe in a construction site or a warehouse is important. There are so many instances where people can get injured or face fatal injuries. Every employee should have proper training on safety protocol. It can help to avoid many instances where people can be hurt.

Training

Having proper training for the environment in which you work is very important. Lack of knowledge and information can only lead to injuries and accidents occurring. When you are operating machinery or even assisting in an area where a crane or heavy machinery is being used, you should have the proper training to be there.

Be Observant

Always be aware of what your surroundings are when working on a construction site and operating heavy machinery. It is the key to safety. Mistakes can be easily made when you do not know who and what is all around you.

Written Plans

Anytime there is a project at hand to be done, the plan should be properly planned out and looked over. The safest way to operate machinery is with a straight forward plan. The ideas that are made should be properly thought through and written down. This way there isn't any confusion about what is going to happen.

Stand Clear

When rigging is in process, it is important that everyone knows to stand clear. The load that is being carried should be kept away from people and they should know to stand clear as well. The proper supplies should be used to stay clear of the load and not pose a risk to you.

Proper Storage

When you are working on a construction site or even in a warehouse setting, it is important to keep the area clear and clean. This is going to leave fewer opportunities for injuries and accidents from happening. All rigging should have designated storage areas that it is to be placed in. This will help ensure that the rig stays undamaged and also get rid of potential harm to other employees as well.

Inspections

Anytime equipment is used, it should be thoroughly inspected. Making sure that there aren’t any areas that are damaged, missing, or not in the right place. Even during use, the machine should be inspected periodically. This is going to help ensure that it is being used in the safest way possible. A piece of equipment that has problems poses a bigger risk of injuries to the operator or the people standing by.

Be Prepared

Make sure that you are planning out the route you plan to travel with the rig to make sure you are able to clear everything safely. That way you have knowledge of what you are avoiding and what the grounds look like. This is going to lessen the risk of problems from occurring and helping you to feel more confident.

Hazards of Lifting And Rigging

Just like with any type of construction site task, when crane lifting or mechanical lifting, hazards apply. Every employee should be aware of what those hazards are and how to best avoid them. Holding regular meetings and staff training opportunities to help keep people informed would be advised. Some of the hazards that you should be aware of are:

• Swinging loads

• Holding taglines

• Pinch points

• Elevated surfaces

• Moving equipment

• Slippery surfaces

• Trip hazards

• Lifting and rigging safety

Lifting And Rigging Safety Tips

You should always make sure that you are fully focused on the task when performing rigging jobs. The safety of yourself and others around you are at stake. Let’s discuss some of the safety guidelines that you should follow to make sure you are being as safe as possible:

• Always keep your load balanced

• Always inspect your loads thoroughly

• Make sure the people you are working with are qualified

• Always remove machinery with technical difficulties

• Make sure no people are in the vicinity of your task

• Always have a spotter to assist you

• Never leave loads suspended

• Know the weight limits of the rig

• Know the boom length of the rig

• Know the radius of the rig

• Be knowledgeable about the number of legs

• Be aware of the maximum angle capability

• Use durable and strong slings

• Always store the rig and supplies properly

One of the most common reasons for injuries or incidents when crane lifting or mechanical lifting is when people are misusing the equipment. Another area that is commonly found to be a problem is when the crane or machine is not thoroughly inspected before and after use. Many problems could be avoided with thorough investigations of the heavy machinery before use.