Stay clear of suspended loads

摘要

In our industry, suspended loads of bulky and heavy materials routinely dangle from hoists, cranes and come-a-longs of all sorts and threaten the lives of miners. Many are injured and killed every year when struck unexpectedly by the force of a moving, suspended load. This can be the result of equipment failure, such as a cable break or a slip, which then causes a load to drop or swing erratically. Poor judgment of crane operators also can be a factor. Operators are responsible for inspecting their machines, overseeing loading, planning the path of motion, controlling movement and alerting bystanders. Breakdown of communication by hand signals -either the failure of an operator to use the appropriate signals or the inability of workers to use and understand them - can cause an accident. All of these risks can be managed by adhering to a safety program.