What is the best way to prevent injuries from the counterweight of the crane?

The best approach to preventing injuries from the counterweight of the crane is to fence or barricade the swing area of the crane. This method creates a physical barrier that restricts access to the area where the counterweight moves, significantly reducing the risk of personnel being struck by the counterweight during crane operations.

By implementing fencing or barricades, you effectively designate the swing area as a restricted zone, ensuring that only trained personnel or those with a specific need to be in the vicinity can enter. This proactive measure enhances safety by minimizing the chance of injury due to unexpected crane movements, which can pose significant hazards.

The other options, while they may contribute to overall safety, do not provide the same level of protection as physical barriers. For instance, providing safety goggles is important for eye protection but does not prevent proximity to potential hazards. Training workers to stay alert is beneficial, but it relies on personnel maintaining awareness, which can be challenging in dynamic environments. Establishing a minimum distance for personnel is also a useful safety measure, but it may not be as effective without physical limitations to enforce that distance. Fencing or barricading directly addresses the danger presented by the counterweight and clearly defines safe zones, making it the most effective safety measure in this scenario.