Operating a crane comes with important responsibilities, especially when it comes to safety and avoiding accidents. According to the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA), those who use cranes are considered PCBU (person conducting a business or undertaking), unless they are a volunteer organization or a homeowner who has hired the crane owner to do work.
As a PCBU, it's important to make sure that your workplace has safety systems in place and that everyone follows them. Work closely with your team to identify and address any potential hazards and to ensure that each job is done safely and efficiently.
When hiring or leasing a crane, it's important to think about the hazards that come with this type of machinery.
You can work with the crane owner or supplier to address these hazards. If you're a homeowner or part of a volunteer organization (with no paid employees), the responsibility for the work shifts to the crane owner or supplier. Sharing as much information as you can about the job and the work site can help the crane owner or supplier avoid potential hazards.
If you're hiring a crane, it's your responsibility to provide the crane owner or supplier with enough information to choose the right crane and equipment and to determine if expert supervision is needed. Work with the crane owner or supplier to understand the details of the job and the workplace conditions, restrictions, and hazards. If you're unsure about the conditions, consider asking a competent and experienced supervisor to inspect the site. You'll also need to provide clear access to the workplace and a suitable location for the crane.
If you're leasing a crane, you'll need to work with the crane owner or supplier to figure out who's responsible for what. The Pressure Equipment, Cranes, and Passenger Ropeway Regulations (PECPR) outline the responsibilities of the controller, and your lease agreement may assign some of these responsibilities to you. You may also need to provide access to the crane for maintenance and annual inspections.
Most accidents can be prevented with careful planning. It's crucial to keep the crane operator and crew informed of any potential hazards or unusual operating conditions.
The Final Say
It's important to remember that the crane operator has the final say on any lift. If the crane operator feels that a lift is unsafe, they can stop the lift at any time. By working together with the crane owner or supplier and being mindful of safety, we can help prevent accidents and keep our work environment safe.
If you would like help in considering your role and the requirements to create a safe site contact McLeod and we will be happy to work with you. We understand the legislation and how to ensure a safe lift.