OSHA 10-Hour Construction ReviewFocus Four HazardsHard
During demolition work, a crane is used to hoist a large, heavy concrete slab. As the slab is being lifted, it begins to swing uncontrollably. What is the most critical action the crane operator should take immediately to regain control and prevent a 'struck-by' incident?
- ARapidly lower the load to the ground.
- BSwing the boom in the opposite direction of the load's swing.
- CStop all crane movement and hold the load steady.
- DIncrease the boom angle to shorten the radius.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Stop all crane movement and hold the load steady.
When a load swings uncontrollably, the most critical action is to stop all crane movement and hold the load steady. This allows the load to stabilize naturally, preventing further dangerous swinging and potential 'struck-by' hazards.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Rapidly lowering the load can increase swing and create a shock load, potentially causing further instability or structural failure.
- B. Attempting to counter-swing can be difficult to time correctly and may worsen the situation, leading to greater instability.
- D. Changing the boom angle or radius while the load is swinging can exacerbate the uncontrolled motion.
Crane Load Control
In the event of an uncontrolled load swing during crane operations, the operator's most critical action is to stop all crane movement and hold the load steady to allow it to stabilize naturally.
- Prevents 'struck-by' incidents from swinging loads.
- Requires smooth, controlled movements by operator.
- Operators must be trained in load handling dynamics.
Memory trick: Load's a swayin'? Stop the playin'!