With the introduction of new construction crane standards and certifications, there are some key tips that people sitting these tests need to remember when taking the signal person test.

1. Understand crane operations and limitations

When a signaller understands what crane operations, limitations and results may occur when certain signals are given to direct a crane operator, then they can use this information to carry out tasks and direction more effectively. For example, if a crane is about to be put into an overload condition then a signal person needs to signal the gain or loss of capacity to the crane operator quickly and clearly.

2. Special assignments as a signal person

As a signal person, it is important to understand each of the different signals and what they mean. For example, the ‘blind pick’ relay signal is assigned to lifts being made in a prohibited zone, or during lifting activity that uses a suspended personnel platform.

3. Present the hand signals correctly

When signalling the movements must be standardised and performed clearly so that they are easily understood. This is key so there is no room for misinterpretation. No allowance should be made for lazy hand signals.

4. Give voice signals in the correct format

When carrying out signals there is a set format that must be followed: function and direction; distance or speed; function and stop.

5. Understand what to do when there’s a failure in the communication process

All signals are continuous, whether that be via hand or voice, therefore this means that when an unplanned event occurs to the signal person they should give a ‘stop’ or ‘emergency stop’ signal. This allowed for the event to be sorted and the load moved on without causing an incident. There may be times when the operator cannot see or hear the signals, suspecting an unplanned loss of contact has occurred. At this point, they should stop moving the crane and load until they regain communication and the situation rectified. It is integral that a signal person also knows what to do during an unplanned event.

Contact

If you would like any more information on crane safety, or you would be interested in learning more about the services NMT Crane Hire provides, please get in touch with one of our friendly team members by calling us on 0800 026 6985, or fill out one of our online enquiry forms.

Spiderman swoops between a set of New York skyscrapers, all the way back in 1958 Orson Welles creates one of the most memorable cinematic moments with his opening ‘car-bomb’ scene in the iconic Touch of Evil and Jack Sparrow swash-buckles his way out of another sticky situation. It all makes for exhilarating viewing but how do the directors achieve these breath-taking shots and compile these awe-inspiring scenes? Continue reading “How Crane Hire can be used in Film and TV”

There are two main hire options for any business in need of crane hire services for a project. You can either undertake a CPA Crane Hire or, instead, a CPA Contract Lift. There are advantages to both options, so the choice between the two should be carefully considered. NMT Crane Hire are always on hand to guide you through your options. Here we have given an overview of just what CPA Crane Hire entails.

What Does CPA Mean?

CPA stands for ‘Construction Plant Hire Association’; this is the terms and conditions that all crane and plant hire companies must adhere to and is in accordance with “The Safe Use of Cranes”, known as BS 7121.

What Is Provided with CPA Crane Hire?

When you hire a crane through CPA Crane Hire the hire company are responsible for the following elements:

–  Providing you with a crane that is fully maintained and in a good working condition

– The crane provided must be tested and certified, which should be verifiable by the crane company

– They must also supply for you a crane operator; the crane operator must be fully certified and competent at the task at hand

What Is Not Provided with CPA Crane Hire?

Although CPA Crane Hire supplies you with the above aspects, you must provide the following:

– You will need to organise having the following people on site:

1.  an Appointed Person who is fully qualified in all aspects of the lifting operation, alongside having the relevant experience and knowledge to complete the job.
2. a qualified Crane Supervisor
3. a qualified Slinger/Signaller.

– The work must be carried out in accordance with both LOLER 1998 and BS 7121.

– It is your responsibility to make sure that the crane is suitable for the job.

– You must plan and execute the lift in operation with a safe system of work.

– You are responsible for checking the credentials and certifications of both the crane hire company and the crane.

You must also provide all of the Method Statements and Risk Assessments, along with organising insurance cover for all areas of the operation, including loss of or damage to the plant when on site, loss or damage to the lifted goods, covering hire charges should the plant be ‘off the road’ for repairs, and insurance covering Public Liability, operator injury and any other third parties, and also insurance for property damage due to the operation.

CPA Crane Hire gives far more responsibility to the hirer, but is often the preferable budgetary option, especially if the hirer already has many of the above requirements in place. If you’re interested in undertaking a CPA Crane Hire from NMT Crane Hire, take a read of our Terms and Conditions and give us a call today on read the NMT Crane Hire CPA Hire Terms and Conditions and call us today on 0800 026 6985.

A fellow worker getting injured due to the wrong functioning of a crane is the last thing that any crane operator or the management team would want to see happen in a workplace. Unfortunately, such types of tragedies do happen in the workplace due to the crane operators’ non-adherence to certain crane-safety rules and regulations. Continue reading “Top Safety Rules when Using a Crane”

Five years ago, a very disturbing accident involving a mobile crane took place near St. Cyrus. When the EU Parliament decided to pass a legislature to make it mandatory for mobile cranes to undergo MOTs, it was welcomed by all the concerned parties, and this new rule will be introduced in September 2013.rnrn Continue reading “Campaign For Mandatory Crane MOTs Gets EU Boost”