For cribbing under an outrigger float, how should the blocking be arranged?

The correct arrangement for cribbing under an outrigger float involves crossing and through bolting the blocking. This method ensures maximum stability and load distribution, which are critical when operating a crane, especially when extending out to the limits of the outriggers. By crossing the blocks, the forces acting on the outrigger are effectively shared across multiple layers, minimizing the risk of collapse or movement under load, and enhancing overall safety.

Through bolting the blocks adds an extra layer of security, preventing any possible shift in position due to dynamic loads or environmental factors such as wind. This provides a reliable connection between the blocks, ensuring that they stay in place even under heavy loads. This method of cribbing is widely recognized and recommended in industry standards to enhance safety when lifting and stabilizing heavy equipment.

Other arrangements, such as stacking vertically without additional support or security, do not provide the necessary stability and can lead to dangerous scenarios. Similarly, random placement or laying blocks flat without any securing method can result in insufficient load support, increasing the risk of failure during operation. Thus, crossing and through bolting is the safest and most effective way to arrange the blocking under an outrigger float.