Lifting with Cranes and Hoists

                       A SAFETY TALK FOR

                      DISCUSSION LEADERS



This safety talk is designed for discussion leaders to use in preparing safety

meetings.



Set a specific time and date for your safety meeting.  Publicize your meeting

so everyone involved will be sure to attend.



Review this safety talk before the meeting and become familiar with its

content. Make notes about the points made in this talk that pertain to your

workplace.  You should be able to present the material in your own words and

lead the discussion without reading it.



Seating space is not absolutely necessary, but arrangements should be made so

that those attending can easily see and hear the presentation.



Collect whatever materials and props you will need ahead of time.  Try to use

equipment in your workplace to demonstrate your points.





                      DURING THE MEETING



Give the safety talk in your own words.  Use the printed talk merely as a

guide.



The purpose of a safety meeting is to initiate discussion of safety problems

and provide solutions to those problems.  Encourage employees to discuss

hazards or potential hazards the encounter on the job. Ask them to suggest ways

to improve safety in their area.



Don't let the meeting turn into a gripe session about unrelated topics.  As

discussion leader, its your job to make sure the topic is safety.  Discussing

other topics wastes time and can ruin the effectiveness of your safety meeting.



At the end of the meeting, ask employees to sign a sheet on the back of this

talk as a record that they attended the safety meeting.  Keep this talk on file

for your records.





Lifting with Cranes and Hoists



Generally speaking, when we talk about staying close to the load, we are

referring to certain procedures that must be followed in order to eliminate or

reduce the risk of an accident, causing injury to workers or damage to

property.



Of course, it's necessary to understand what you are lifting. What is the load?

Do you have the proper slings? Is the load properly hooking on the crane or

hoisting machine? Are you lifting a load that is exceeding the safe limit of

the hoisting machine? Is the person hooking on the load in complete agreement

with the operator as to the signals and where the load is to go? Often the

operator cannot see the material or equipment that is being handled, especially

in building construction work.





Employees should not be permitted to work beneath the area where materials are

being loaded or unloaded. If it is necessary to swing a load over other workers

at the site, make sure they are warned. Every precaution should be taken to

protect workers by means of barricades or a flagman.



Many injuries are caused because workers are standing or working under swinging

loads; unsafe rigging, hooks or slings can cause a load to fall.



What about the weather? Are conditions so unfavorable that the wind or rain

play "tricks" with the load or reduce the visibility of the workers or the

operator who is hoisting the material?



Only experienced employees should make the sling hitches on a load. Do you know

the proper procedures for handling equipment and material?



NOTE TO DISCUSSION LEADER:



Review these procedure with your employee. If there have been accidents

recently in your area, be prepared to discus them with your employee. Listen to

their ideas;  they may have the answer you have been looking for. Also, mention

any hazards that are unique to your operation.



For your safety and the safety of your co-workers, follow these safety steps:



þ Plan ahead and know the load.



þ Use the proper slings and equipment.



þ Know the correct signals.



þ Don't guess; think and be sure..
.

Text Version