Crane Safety

That depends on where you are working. In extreme cold areas you should keep it running but guarded due to the time that it takes to heat up to where you can use it properly. While under normal conditions you should never leave any piece of heavy equipment running and unattended due to safety issues.

I think Not so Smart is right about this. If we take it from cranes to planes, the principle becomes more clear.

Because I have worked with cranes, and driven diesel fuel trucks in extreme cold I have some feeling for the issues.

If I left the truck running, I did still keep it pretty much insight.

At night we did shut them down and plug them in.

It would seem extremely unwise to leave a crane running without an operator, if only all they knew was how to shut it off, or operate a fire extinquisher.

Machinery does have a tendency to vibrate itself apart.

P.S. Operating a little crane was one of the most fun jobs I ever had.

Hi not so smart,

GA to you Sir,

for a good simple answer.

Take care

Thanks babybear,

I have operated heavy equipment in Alaska during the winter. We even did routine maint, including oil changes, with the machines running.

If you where are my site I would end up having to fire you. Working on a piece of equipment while running is a major incident with OSHA and MSHA where the company would getting some major fines.

From the perspective of "Pure Safety" it is not a good idea unless there are additional devices that will prevent accidental unlocking of the brakes. Incidental vibration or movement of the cab by shifting of the load, etc. can set up an incident of Murphy's Law which states that, "If it just can't happen, it will anyway."

Be safe, live a long time!

in cold weather or on a barge in the water we always left it running -- locked the door with brake on -- no load or hookup

Hi dadw5boys,

GA to you Sir,

Good straight forward advice with respect to a boat crane.

Take care.

Ho kane343,

As has been said it depend on circumstances and where you live and or work as to whether you can or should leave your cab with all safety on.

I do not think you should leave a cab while you have a lift in progress. And any 'lock' should I think be both electronic and physical where possible.

Big cranes mean big strains and a big crane could have 'standing waves' set up from wind perhaps, that may dislodge any load. This is not very likely but, if it can, it will!

As with other 'moving machines' always take care. You know you can turn the wheels into the curb to stop it running away and get out to put a child in it for instance, but you should always be in control. I would say you can leave the 'hook' of the crane in a safe place if you need to get out of the cab.

Take care and good luck.

There are some qualifying conditions that need to be attached to this discussion.

What is meant by unattended? Absolutely no one around? No moving or movement capable equipment should ever be left running completely unattended. If someone is in the immediate vicinity and capable of shutting it off if some mechanical malfunction begins to occur, then leaving it running may be best. Cold weather, need to immediately use without waiting to build air pressure or dry the frictions etc or even simply defog the windows may necessitate leaving it running. Closed doors, safety fencing or other means to ensure unauthorized personnel do not enter the machine are obviously of paramount importance. Boom dogs and brakes, and swing brakes and dogs must all be set of course. Some one to observe that high winds or other circumstances do not occur is another concern. In my early days in the industry we all apprenticed and I served as a rig oiler on several large cranes. It was my job to maintain and watch over the machine when it was not in operation. Unfortunately you do not see rig oilers very often these days. And people wonder why more qualified operators are not coming up through the ranks. But back on task. Some one should always be in sight and earshot of the machine and it should be secured from itself and others. And an oiler to grease and clean it might be a thought.

Glad to see work going on somewhere.

I would have to direct my comment to "is it OK": NO! Is it a common practice, yes.

This is a complicated question regulation wise. In PA we now have a new "no idling law" through PADEP, which means you can't leave it running and not being used for more then 15 minutes even in the cold. With OSHA and MSHA no vehicles are aloud to be left idling without someone in it even if it is locked, chucked, etc.

I would check with OSHA before making any decisions, plus now OSHA requires anyone operating I believe its a 15 ton or greater capacity crane to have a crane operators license. Something else to look into.

I can't state what is acceptable on your site but at this site that is not acceptable. At this plant site you are not supposed to leave anything running unattended.

Not on a railway that is under Engineering Posession. The time implications of having to look for the crane operative might have major commercial effects should the Posession not be given up in time.