Thursday 14 November 2019

Safety in Material Handling at Construction site Article by Dr.Yashoda Tammaneni , HOD, HSE




During construction, large numbers of material handling equipment like cranes, chain pulley blocks, hoists, lifts, and other lifting accessories are used for transferring/lifting of different construction materials, heavy structures, etc.

Various types of hazards such as crush injury due to fall of material, caught in-between moving part of the crane, the collapse of crane, overturning of the crane are associated with this material handling equipment that may cause loss of life and property.

To prevent the hazards associated with material handling, the following important measures need to be taken

(a)  No lifting machine, chain, rope or lifting tackle should be taken into use for the first time unless it has been tested and examined by a competent person and a certificate of such a test and examination specifying the safe working load and signed by the person making the test and the examination is kept available for inspection.

(b)  Cranes should be operated only by authorized persons who are well trained and experienced.

(c)  Regular inspection and maintenance of material handling equipment should be scheduled and carried out. Load testing of the crane at a specified load should be carried out by a Competent Person at least once in twelve months.

(d)  Standard signals given by an authorized signalman should be used so that the operator and user are able to synchronize their communication.

(e)  Care should be taken to prevent an accidental approach to live electric overhead lines.

(f)  The load to be lifted should not exceed the Safe Working Load (SWL).

(g) The load to be lifted should be secured tightly to prevent falling during lifting.

(h) Material handling operations should be carried out under supervision. The lift area should be cordoned off during the lifting operation. No one should be under/close to any working crane or suspended load.

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