Safety Operating Procedures for Cranes and Hoists

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1. Crane operators must receive specialized training and pass the assessments conducted by relevant authorities; only after obtaining a certificate of competence are they allowed to operate the crane. It is strictly prohibited for unqualified persons to operate crane equipment. 2. Before carrying out lifting operations, the crane operator must check whether all components are in good condition, whether the steel cables meet safety requirements, and whether the control devices, hydraulic systems, and safety mechanisms are complete, reliable, and sensitive. It is strictly prohibited for any part of the crane to operate while faulty. When the crane is used for work in a substation during partial power outages, its casing must be properly grounded. When the crane is parked or in motion, the distance between the wheels, the front ends of the legs, or the outer sides of these elements and the edges of any ditches or pits must be no less than 1.2 times the depth of such ditches or pits ； Otherwise, measures to prevent tipping and collapse must be taken. 3. When lifting heavy objects, first lift the load about 10 centimeters off the ground to check whether the crane is stable and whether its brakes are functional and effective; work can proceed only after confirming that everything is normal. 4. The crane operator must work closely with the supervisor and obey the signals given by the supervisor. The horn must be sounded before operating. If the command signals are unclear or incorrect, the driver has the right to refuse to carry out the order ； At work, drivers must immediately obey any emergency stop signal given by anyone. 5. It is strictly prohibited for people to stand on lifted objects, it is strictly prohibited for lifted objects to rise above a person’s head, and it is strictly prohibited for anyone to stand or pass under lifted objects. 6. When the crane is lifting at full load, it is prohibited to use two or more operating actions simultaneously. The left and right rotation angles of the crane boom must not exceed 45°; lifting at an angle, pulling while lifting, or rapid lifting and lowering are strictly prohibited. It is strictly prohibited to lift objects buried in the ground, and it is also strictly prohibited to forcibly lift large objects that are stuck to the ground. 7. When a crane is operating near live power lines, it must maintain a safe distance from them. The minimum allowable distance from the power lines within the maximum rotation range is shown in the table below. In rainy or foggy weather, this safe distance should be increased to more than 1.5 times the specified value. When the crane passes under a power line, its boom must be lowered. 8. When using two cranes to lift a heavy object simultaneously, it is necessary to follow the unified instructions of a designated person. The lifting speeds of the two cranes must be equal, and the weight of the object lifted shall not exceed 75% of the total lifting capacity of the two cranes combined. When tying the slings, pay attention to the load distribution; the load carried by each vehicle should not exceed 80% of the maximum lifting capacity allowed. 9. When the crane is in operation, a certain distance should be maintained between the hook and the pulley to prevent excessive winding from breaking the steel cable or causing the boom to flip backward. When the boom is fully extended to its maximum elevation angle and the hook is lowered to its lowest position, at least 3 turns of the steel cable should remain on the winch drum. 10. During operation, the elevation angle of the boom must not be less than 30°. When the crane is carrying a load, attempts should be made to avoid any changes in the boom’s angle; it is strictly prohibited to adjust the control lever until the load is securely in place. 11. Lifting operations with a large wind-exposed area shall not be carried out when the wind force at the work site reaches level 5 ； Lifting operations must not be carried out when the wind force reaches level 6 or above. During shutdowns or breaks, it is not allowed to leave the lifted load hanging in the air. 12. Once the work is completed, the hook and boom should be placed in their designated safe positions, and all control levers should be moved to the neutral position. 13. The command signals must be clearly communicated to the crane operator in advance; if it is not possible to see the signals clearly during operation, an assistant should be assigned to convey the signals accurately. 14. Command gestures must be clear and signals must be distinct; it is not allowed to use gloves while giving commands. 2.3 Before lifting the object, check first whether it is securely tied; padding should be placed where the ropes pass over sharp edges or corners. The center of gravity of the object during lifting must be accurate, to prevent it from twisting, bending, sinking, or tilting under stress. 15. Before the object to be lifted is in place and secured, the crane operator must not leave his post, nor may he stop working while the rigging is under stress or the lifted object is still in the air. 16. When the crane operator refuses to lift an object due to its excessive weight, the supervisor should take measures to reduce the excessive load on the crane; it is strictly prohibited to order the crane to operate under overloaded conditions. 17 Crane operators must strictly abide by the “Ten Prohibitions” for lifting: 1. Do not lift if the load is overloaded or if the weight of the item to be lifted is unknown ； 2. Do not lift if the command signals are unclear ； 3. If the bundling or hanging is not secure or balanced, it may cause slipping and failure to lift ； 4. Do not lift when there are people or floating objects on the load ； 5. Do not lift when the structure or components have defects or damages that affect safe operation ； 6. Do not lift buried objects when the pulling force is unclear ； 7. If the work area is dim and it is not possible to see the area clearly, as well as the lifted objects and command signals, do not lift the load ； 8. Do not lift when there is no padding between the sharp edges of the load and the binding wires ； 9. Do not lift heavy objects when pulling them at an angle ； 10. The crane’s safety devices are incomplete or unreliable, preventing lifting operations.