In crane operation, what is crucial to maintain to ensure safety during lifting operations?

Maintaining a level and stable setup is essential for safe crane operations. A crane that is not level can create significant risks, leading to potential tipping or unstable loads during lifting. A stable setup ensures that the distribution of weight is balanced and that the ground beneath the crane can support the load. This stability is further enhanced by proper outrigger extension and placement, which helps to widen the base of support. In addition to stability, it allows for better control when maneuvering loads, reducing the chances of accidents and ensuring the safety of both operators and personnel in the vicinity.

In contrast, consistently high boom angles can stress the crane unnecessarily, maximized load sizes can exceed the crane’s capacity, and frequent equipment shutdowns can lead to interruptions in the workflow, increasing the potential for errors to occur when operations are resumed. Hence, prioritizing a stable setup is foundational to safe lifting operations.