Safe Work Procedure: Tower Crane Operation Near Sensitive Areas

Document Number: [SWP-NUMBER] Revision Date: [DATE] Next Review Date: [NEXT REVIEW DATE] Department: [DEPARTMENT NAME]

1. Scope

This Safe Work Procedure (SWP) outlines the necessary safety precautions and procedures for operating a tower crane on a construction site located adjacent to a sensitive area, specifically a daycare. This procedure aims to prevent any crane operations from occurring over the daycare during its hours of operation to ensure the safety of children and staff. This SWP applies to all personnel involved in tower crane operations, including the crane operator, riggers, supervisors, and site management. This SWP should be used in conjunction with the manufacturer's operating manual for the specific tower crane model, the site-specific lift plan, and all other relevant safety procedures.

2. Definitions

Tower Crane: A type of lifting device that is fixed to the ground or a structure, used for lifting and moving heavy materials.

Sensitive Area: Any location where specific hazards require additional precautions, in this case, a daycare center adjacent to the construction site.

Exclusion Zone: A defined area above the daycare where crane operations are prohibited during daycare operating hours.

Spotter: A designated worker responsible for visually monitoring crane operations and ensuring adherence to the exclusion zone.

3. Responsibilities

3.1 Supervisors

Ensure that all crane operators and related personnel are trained and competent to perform their duties.
Develop and enforce a site-specific lift plan that incorporates the exclusion zone and time restrictions.
Conduct regular inspections of the crane and associated equipment to ensure they are in safe working condition.
Communicate the SWP and any updates to all relevant personnel.
Monitor weather conditions and halt crane operations if wind or temperature limits are exceeded .

3.2 Workers

Follow all instructions and procedures outlined in this SWP and the site-specific lift plan.
Participate in pre-job briefings and hazard assessments.
Inspect the crane and associated equipment before each shift and report any defects or concerns to the supervisor.
Refuse to operate the crane if it is unsafe or if conditions are not suitable.
Immediately report any incidents, near misses, or hazards to the supervisor.

3.3 Health and Safety Representative

Assist in the development and review of this SWP.
Conduct regular site inspections to ensure compliance with safety procedures.
Investigate incidents and near misses related to crane operations.
Provide recommendations for improving safety performance.

4. Potential Hazards and Risks

Hazard	Risk	Control Measures
Crane operation over the daycare	Injury to children or staff	Establish and enforce an exclusion zone over the daycare during operating hours. Use limit devices to restrict crane movement .
Falling objects	Injury to children or staff	Implement a dropped object prevention program. Use netting or other safeguards to contain materials .
Crane malfunction	Injury to workers or the public	Conduct regular inspections and maintenance of the crane. Ensure the crane is equipped with overload and travel limit devices .
Communication breakdown	Erroneous crane movements	Use a clear and reliable communication system between the operator and the spotter. Use agreed upon signals .
Adverse weather conditions	Loss of control of the crane	Monitor wind speed and temperature and cease operations if limits are exceeded .
Overlapping crane radii	Crane collisions	Implement procedures to prevent collisions if multiple cranes are in use 2, 5.

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Proper PPE must be worn at all times while operating or working near the tower crane.

Hard hat - Protects against head injuries from falling objects.
High-visibility vest - Ensures visibility to other workers and equipment operators.
Safety glasses - Protects eyes from dust and debris.
Steel-toed boots - Protects feet from crushing injuries.
Gloves - Provides grip and protects hands from cuts and abrasions.

Inspect all PPE before use and replace any damaged or defective items immediately.

6. Equipment and Tools

Only use equipment and tools that are in good working condition and appropriate for the task.

Tower crane - Used for lifting and moving heavy materials.
Two-way radios - Used for communication between the operator, spotter, and ground crew.
Anemometer - Used to measure wind speed.
Load charts - Used to determine the crane's lifting capacity at various radii .
Taglines - Used to control the movement of loads.

Inspect all equipment and tools before use and remove any damaged or defective items from service.

7. Pre-Job Requirements

7.1 Training and Competency

Crane operators must be certified and competent to operate the specific type of tower crane being used .
Riggers must be trained and qualified in rigging procedures.
All personnel involved in crane operations must be trained on this SWP and the site-specific lift plan.

7.2 Pre-Job Briefing

Conduct a pre-job briefing before each shift to discuss the day's activities, potential hazards, and safety precautions.
Review the exclusion zone and time restrictions for crane operations over the daycare.
Confirm communication protocols and emergency procedures.

7.3 Work Area Preparation

Establish and clearly mark the exclusion zone around the daycare.
Ensure that the crane's swing radius does not encroach on the exclusion zone during daycare operating hours.
Inspect the crane's foundation and ensure it is stable and level.
Clear the work area of any obstructions or hazards.

8. Safe Work Procedure Steps

8.1 Pre-Operational Inspection

Conduct a thorough inspection of the tower crane before each shift .
Check the structural components for any signs of damage or wear .
Inspect the wire ropes, sheaves, and hooks for defects .
Verify the functionality of all limit devices and safety systems .
Ensure that the load chart is present and legible .
Check the oil and lubrication levels .
Confirm that a fire extinguisher is present in the crane cab .

[Safety considerations for this step: Any defects or deficiencies must be reported to the supervisor and corrected before operating the crane.]

8.2 Crane Operation

Start the crane and inspect it when it is moving .
Ensure smooth play out of wire rope to and from a drum .
Ensure sheaves are turning without binding or jerking as a rope passes over them .
Ensure proper alignment where ropes enter sheaves .
Ensure ropes are not rubbing on rope sheave guards .
Operate the crane smoothly and avoid abrupt movements .
Use taglines to control the movement of loads .
Never exceed the crane's rated load capacity .
Be aware of the location of the daycare and the exclusion zone at all times.
If using multiple cranes, ensure operators are provided with visual or auditory means of communicating with each other .

[Safety considerations for this step: The crane operator must have clear visibility of the load and the surrounding area. A spotter should be used to assist the operator in maintaining a safe distance from the daycare.]

8.3 Load Placement and Securing

Lower loads slowly and carefully .
Set loads on blocking, not the sling itself .
Ensure that loads are properly secured before releasing them.
Never leave suspended loads unattended .

[Safety considerations for this step: Ensure that the landing area is clear of obstructions and that the load is stable before releasing it.]

8.4 Shut-Down Procedures

Remove the load hanging on crane hooks .
Raise all hooks to a mid-position .
Spot the crane at a designated location .
Before closing the main switch, make sure that all controllers are in the "off" position .
Secure the crane against unauthorized use.

[Safety considerations for this step: Properly securing the crane prevents accidental movement or operation.]

9. Precautions and Safety Measures

Exclusion Zone: Establish a clearly defined exclusion zone over the daycare during its hours of operation. Crane operations are strictly prohibited within this zone during these times.
Communication: Maintain constant communication between the crane operator, spotter, and ground crew using two-way radios. Use a pre-established set of hand signals in case of radio failure .
Weather Monitoring: Continuously monitor weather conditions, especially wind speed. Cease crane operations if wind speeds exceed the manufacturer's recommendations or site-specific limits .
Load Limits: Never exceed the crane's rated load capacity. Use load charts to determine the safe lifting capacity for each lift .
Dropped Object Prevention: Implement a dropped object prevention program, including securing tools and materials at height and using debris netting to contain any falling objects .

10. Emergency Procedures

10.1 General Emergency Response

In the event of an emergency, immediately stop crane operations and activate the emergency alarm.
Evacuate the area and account for all personnel.
Contact emergency services (911) and provide them with the location and nature of the emergency.
Administer first aid to any injured personnel.

10.2 Specific Emergency Scenarios

Crane Failure: If the crane malfunctions, immediately stop operations and evacuate the area. Contact a qualified technician to inspect and repair the crane.
Load Drop: If a load is dropped, immediately evacuate the area and assess the damage. Do not attempt to move the load until it has been properly secured.
Medical Emergency: If a worker is injured, provide first aid and contact emergency services. Ensure that the injured worker is transported to a medical facility for treatment.

10.3 Emergency Contact Information

Emergency Services: 911
Site Supervisor: [PHONE NUMBER]
Health and Safety Representative: [PHONE NUMBER]
Crane Technician: [PHONE NUMBER]

11. Incident Reporting and Investigation

Report all incidents, near misses, and hazards to the supervisor immediately.

Investigate all reported incidents to determine the root cause and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Approved by: [NAME AND POSITION] Date: [APPROVAL DATE]