Lifting and Moving Loads with Self-Propelled Boom Cranes

Various crane models are used for lifting and moving loads. Sometimes renting truck cranes is required for these purposes. If loads are lifted to heights from ten to one hundred meters using self-propelled boom cranes of various models, the boundary beyond which the danger zone begins is determined in the same way as for tower cranes. If self-propelled boom cranes (except railway ones) are set up and begin work at a distance of less than thirty meters from an overhead electrical network or power line whose voltage exceeds thirty-six Volts, all the conditions of the work permit must be observed. This distance (thirty meters) is measured from the outermost conductor of the power line to the hook axis within the limits of its working outreach (crane rotation 360°). A mandatory condition for the installation and operation of this equipment in such cases is the presence of a supervising person who is responsible for the safety of load-moving operations by cranes. The supervising person must oversee the work, sign the work permit, and ensure that the safe working conditions specified in that document are provided. Sometimes the rental of a truck-mounted manipulator is required for construction and installation works.

A device is installed on the self-propelled boom crane that signals when the crane boom is approaching a dangerous distance to an energized conductor. However, this does not mean that management may omit issuing a work permit. Management must, as a mandatory measure, place a stamp in the worker’s (boom crane operator’s) work ticket stating that the operator is prohibited from positioning the crane near a power line without a work permit. When carrying out construction and installation work, the work permit must be signed by the chief engineer or the power engineer of the construction and installation organization. When work is conducted in the protected zone of a power line or within the clearances established for these lines, a work permit may be issued only if there is written permission from the organization operating the power line.

In load lifting and moving operations, in addition to various types of cranes, other equipment is also used, for example a truck-mounted manipulator.