GEOTECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR CONTRACTORS- CONSTRUCTION CRANE SAFETY
Think Safety. Slow Down, Use Common Sense and Think it Through. Remember, no set of safety guidelines can cover all possible scenarios. When in doubt about ground support conditions, call BHATE for further consultation.
Ground conditions: In terms of construction crane safety, the ground must be stable, well-drained, and properly graded. Look for impediments, depressions, voids, trenches, excavations, slopes or signs of poor ground conditions that can lead to an unsafe situation. Excessive deflection due to ground displacement can result in a risk of catastrophic failure. Contact BHATE geotechnical staff to determine the soil conditions and the ground stabilization requirements for proper crane and outrigger support. Never use the outrigger pad to bridge over ground depressions or shallow underground utilities.
Outrigger pad selection: Use outriggers designed for the crane model and ensure they are in good condition. By itself, no outrigger pad can provide a complete guarantee of safety. Common sense always needs to be used. Operators must use all the original manufacturers’ guidelines for their outrigger-enabled equipment when using outrigger pads.
Crane pad size and material integrity: Use pads that are large enough to distribute the load evenly. Use materials that are free from cracks, deformations, rot, bending, wear, or damage. Check for signs of damage, corrosion, or wear, and address any issues quickly.
Workload limits and load distribution: Know the working load limits of the outrigger pads and ensure the load does not exceed them. Calculate the total force and the ground area required for safe load distribution using crane manufacturer guidelines.
After the ground is properly stabilized to meet the manufacturer’s recommended soil bearing support capacity, inspect the outrigger pads to verify that they are proper size, smooth and free from debris to evenly spread the load and achieve solid contact with the outrigger pad or crane mat. Proper placement, squarely in the center, is critical for effective support and load distribution.
HOW CAN BHATE HELP?
BHATE Geosciences can evaluate the ground conditions by field observation and testing and provide practical and cost-effective recommendations for improving the soil’s load carrying capacity using various ground improvement methods such as geogrids and high quality compacted crushed stone crane support platforms.