Crane and outrigger pads play a crucial role as a safety tool in maintaining stability and preventing accidents during crane operations. They provide support and distribute the load, minimizing the risk of tipping or collapse. Understanding the importance of proper outrigger and crane pad usage is essential for ensuring a safe working environment.
Below are important safety tips listed that anyone working in the lifting and rigging industry should follow when using outrigger and crane pads.
Outrigger pads are essential tools used in any lifting and rigging setup. They are flat objects that come in a variety of different sizes, thickness, and materials to accommodate the equipment's weight and points of contact.
Also known as crane pads, these tools sit underneath the outrigger (known as a shoe, foot, arm, or flat) and provide a flat surface that distributes the pressure more evenly across the ground. Because the point of contact between the outrigger and the ground is small, too much pressure can cause the ground underneath to shift and crumble. These products help alleviate this pressure to keep equipment like cranes stable during lifting jobs.
Like any lifting and rigging equipment, safe usage ensures that personnel and equipment stay safe during operations. When it comes to using outrigger pads, follow these tips to make sure everything runs nice and safely during the job.
Prior to any crane operations, conduct a thorough site assessment to identify potential hazards. This includes factors like the positioning of your equipment, underground utilities, available space, environmental conditions, and obstructions. Be sure to check for any specific regulations or permits required for crane operations in the area. Always comply with local safety standards and guidelines to avoid any potential legal issues. This includes not only outrigger systems, but any other equipment involved like lifting slings, lifting beams and spreader bars, and any rigging hardware used.
Part of the site assessment also includes evaluating ground conditions. Ground stability, which involves soil type, compaction, slope, and underground utilities, helps determine the appropriate size and type of outrigger and crane pad needed for the specific conditions. According to OSHA's standards on ground conditions, outrigger pads "must not be assembled or used unless ground conditions are firm, drained, and graded to a sufficient extent..." (.(b)). Ensure that conditions meet the necessary safety requirements to use cranes and other equipment on before taking on the task.
Secondly, be aware of your crane's load capacity and the maximum load it can handle with fully extended outriggers. Exceeding the load capacity or misjudging the load distribution leads to outrigger failure or crane instability. Also, not calculating additional weight components like counterweights used to lessen the pressure on outrigger pads leads to the same problems. Refer to the crane manufacturer's specifications and consult with an engineer if necessary.
Selecting the correct outriggers and crane pads is crucial for maintaining stability. Use outriggers specifically designed for the crane model and ensure they are in good working condition. Crane pads should be large enough to distribute the load evenly and prevent too much ground pressure. Use load-bearing calculation tools or consult with experts to determine the appropriate size and type of outriggers and crane pads for your specific application.
Keep these tips in mind when setting up the outrigger system:
Cribbing blocks can be used to support the outriggers, especially on slopes or uneven ground, further enhancing stability.
Additionally, make sure to regularly inspect and maintain outriggers and crane pads so that they are in proper working condition. Check for signs of damage, corrosion, or wear, and address any issues quickly. Regular inspections help identify potential problems before they compromise safety. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance and conduct load testing when required.
Lastly, ensure that crane operators are adequately trained and experienced in outrigger and crane pad setup. They should have a clear understanding of load capacities, setup procedures, and safety protocols. Establish effective communication channels between the crane operator, signal person, and other personnel involved in the operation to ensure everyone is aware of their roles and responsibilities.
Safety is paramount when working with outriggers and crane pads. That's why US Cargo Control offers high-quality outrigger pads from DICA®. Designed with an engineered thermoplastic material, these products are made to be unbreakable, flexible, and withstanding of high pressure, temperature, moisture, and other corrosives. DICA® outrigger perform well compared to other competitors and handle a variety of applications, all while having an ergonomic design for safe and easy usage.
These products come in two different varieties:
By following these essential safety tips, you can help ensure stability, prevent accidents, and create a secure work environment. Remember, a well-prepared and knowledgeable team is key to successful and safe crane operations.
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The Tree Care Industry Magazine recently published an article by Emily Duane, that covers the importance of proper outrigger pad, crane pad and cribbing setup. It also addresses the magnitude of risk crane operators face every day.
Highlights of that article are captured below. To read the article in it&#;s entirety, see the TCI website here.
A quick Google search of &#;failed crane tipped over&#; produces nearly 4.5 million results in less than a second. A search of OSHA&#;s accident results for &#;crane outrigger&#; lists 55 incidents across three pages, including nine relating to cranes tipping over on the first page alone.
Each month, the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) compiles an accident report from published reports or incidents reported directly to TCIA staff that, unfortunately, often includes crane incidents. Accidents involving cranes result in costly damage, can be lethal and are entirely avoidable with the correct knowledge and preparation.
Cranes are only as safe as their setup and operation. This begins, quite literally, with setting a proper foundation for the equipment using outrigger pads.
Selecting the correct pad size and material
Pads come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials &#; it&#;s important to pick the correct outrigger pad for your needs. Equipment manufacturers are doing a good job of providing outrigger reaction forces for the specific model of equipment you are using.
&#;Outrigger pads must be large enough to reduce ground-bearing pressures to levels the ground can support and provide stability to keep the crane level during operations,&#; states Kris Koberg, CEO of DICA, a 22-year TCIA Corporate Member company based in Guthrie Center, Iowa, and specializing in engineered outrigger pads.
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Shape brings an added dimension to the selection process. Pads can be quite heavy, so round pads can be tipped on their edge and rolled around for easy positioning; square pads do not offer this same level of simplicity, especially when the pad is larger. Additionally, your rig&#;s storage capabilities will determine the size &#; and, to a degree, shape &#; that your pads can be. It&#;s best to familiarize yourself with the size and storage capacity of your equipment and discuss your needs with a trusted manufacturer.
As for material composition of the outrigger pads, common options on the market include engineered composite, wood, steel, FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) and fiberglass.
&#;Pads must be strong enough not to fail under maximum loads and pressures, and they must be rigid enough to effectively spread the load,&#; Koberg says. &#;Performance, weight, durability and longevity all are factors to consider. The larger the load-distribution area needed, the more rigid the pad must be.&#;
Does material stiffness relate to strength?
Stronger does not necessarily mean that a material is stiffer. &#;Strength, specifically mechanical strength, can be defined as the measure of stress that can be applied to a material before it permanently deforms or breaks,&#; says Koberg.
Stiffness is a material&#;s ability to resist bending or deforming. The ability of an outrigger pad to spread load is based on the stiffness of the pad relative to the stiffness of the ground.
&#;If the pad is not rigid enough to overcome the stiffness of the ground, the load concentrates in a smaller area on the pad,&#; explains Koberg. &#;This results in increased ground-bearing pressure, which will cause more pad deflection and shear stress.&#; These scenarios could result in functional or, worst case, physical failures.
Ground conditions can be a problem. &#;According to ProSight Specialty Insurance, ground conditions are the third-leading non-auto cause of operational failures in the crane and rigging industry,&#; reports Koberg. &#;Avoid making assumptions about outrigger loads or pressures because that data is readily available. Knowing this information and understanding how pads are designed to mitigate pressure and spread load will improve your safety IQ and reduce your risk of experiencing a ground-conditions failure.&#;
Is there a cycles-to-failure with outrigger pad use?
The team at DICA defines failure in two ways: functional failure and physical failure. &#;Physical failure is the physical breaking or yield of a pad. This should not happen if the pad is designed, used and inspected correctly. Functional failure occurs when excessive pad deflection occurs, when the ground-bearing pressure is too great for the application or the specific requirements,&#; explains Koberg. &#;Excessive deflection is a sign that the pad is not rigid or stiff enough for the specific scenario.&#;
Shear failure as a force factor
When outrigger pads can no longer withstand the amount of compression applied on top and tension on the bottom, the material can tear.
&#;Shear failure may occur because the loads exerted on the material cause it to bend or deform past its yield point,&#; Koberg says. &#;Most outrigger pads that fail do so from shear failure, while most accidents involving outriggers are a result of the ground giving way or the outriggers not being set up correctly. This is why it is important to assess every situation to ensure you have enough pad area to reduce the load, and pad rigidity to spread the load, sufficiently.&#;
How to inspect and store outrigger pads
Manufacturers provide inspection and usage guidelines for their products that must be adhered to.
Similar to any other equipment inspection, inspect outrigger pads and mats for material-integrity issues such as cracking, warping, rotting and permanent deformation before using. If any of these conditions are present, do not use the pad or mat. &#;If using materials that are not engineered, such as wood, be sure to account for degradation that is caused by moisture, UV light, insects, rotting and stress from previous use,&#; recommends Koberg.
Cribbing and pads
Cribbing serves a different purpose than that of outrigger pads.
&#;When uneven ground conditions exist, equipment must be set up within level tolerances required by the manufacturer,&#; explains Koberg. &#;Cribbing provides additional height where needed to attain the proper degree of level.&#;
Contributions to safety culture
You might set a crane up on asphalt today and someone&#;s lawn tomorrow. Manufacturers can&#;t predict your environment, so they build the machine and a process that is capable of performing a task, and, when the environment changes, you are responsible for mitigating that change.
&#;When you present outrigger pads to your fleet, you&#;re introducing a process and, inherently, a safety culture,&#; says Tyler Elliff, vice president of Precision Crane Service in Windsor, California, and a DICA customer. &#;It is subconscious at first. You&#;re putting down your pads, setting up your crane or truck and you may or may not know you just avoided an accident because everything worked well. Any piece of equipment with outriggers is less susceptible to an accident while using outrigger pads. When you don&#;t use them, you are putting yourself at risk, and when &#; or if &#; something happens, it can happen quickly, not allowing enough time to react.&#;
When confronted with a situation where the subsurface geology doesn&#;t reflect the norm, by implementing a process using outrigger pads, you very well could have a near miss rather than an accident. &#;Anyone in their right mind will start to understand the value of that pad. It&#;s a significant change in your usable surface area and gives you more time to react and make a decision,&#; says Elliff.
Crane failure as a result of improper outrigger-pad selection and setup is preventable. As the saying goes, &#;Knowledge is power.&#; Familiarize yourself with the manufacturer&#;s specifications for the weight and limitations of the specific equipment you use.
&#;The maximum lift capacity of the equipment must be known, which includes understanding how to follow the load chart,&#; emphasizes Steiner. &#;Be sure to factor in not only the load being lifted, but the rigging being used to lift the load as well.&#;
Resources
&#;A good manufacturer will help you figure out how to take unacceptable ground pressure and make it acceptable,&#; says Elliff. &#;Leveraging your vendors is essential &#; they&#;re there to help. Good products and pads with good education helps bridge the gap if you don&#;t have an engineer on your team.&#;
There are many educational resources available on the market, including TCIA&#;s Best Practices for Crane Use in Arboriculture and its Tree Care Academy Crane Operations Specialist credentialing program, which covers topics such as assessing and overcoming poor ground conditions, safe lifting procedures, rigging and hoisting and job-site safety.
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