Every construction site has its own unique set of safety challenges, and with those challenges come some very specific safety guidelines. Here is a quick set of basic safety tips that should be followed when operating an overhead crane.

--Make sure all parts are in good working order before using an overhead crane

Every piece of machinery, cranes included, should undergo a thorough inspection at the beginning of each and every workday. If any parts of the machine are beginning to show signs of wear, let that crane rest for the day and order the needed overhead crane parts immediately. Worker safety is simply too important to leave to chance.

--Make sure the crane can handle the load

Every crane is different, and every hoisting job is different. Make sure the crane is suitable for the job it's being asked to do. It simply must have the right level of lift, travel, and capacity in order to perform a hoist safely.

-- Double check

Double check the load weight, and make sure that the capacities of all crane hardware and accessory equipment is suitable to handle the load.

--Buddy up

A crane operator should always have a designated signal person with whom he is constant contact. Too many people trying to relay instructions to the operator can result in disaster: buddy up with one person and one person only.

--All persons in the load lift area should be alerted before crane operation begins, and under no circumstances should any load be allowed to be hoisted over anyone.

Safe crane operation procedures according to OSHA guidelines should always be mandatory at any construction site employing this type of machinery: it just makes good common sense.