Lesson 1Ground and foundation checks: crane base, pad conditions, temporary roadways, surface bearing capacity and ground water/drainage issuesIn this lesson, you will discover how to evaluate crane bases, foundations, and access paths, confirm load-bearing strength against planned weights, spot weak areas, holes, or soil erosion, and assess water flow or underground water that might affect steadiness during work.
Reviewing soil engineering and load dataChecking crane base, fixings, and foundationsEvaluating temporary paths and entry routesSpotting soft soil, holes, and wearing awayAssessing water flow and underground water impactsNoting and reporting soil problemsLesson 2Communication equipment checks: radio testing, battery management, spare handhelds, signage and backup hand signal protocolsYou will find out how to examine and test communication devices, such as radios, power packs, chargers, extra units, and fixed signs, and how to set up reliable backup hand signals to keep things under control if main systems stop working during hoisting.
Examining radios, earpieces, and chargersTesting radio reach and sound qualityHandling power packs and extra portable unitsConfirming displayed crane and site signsStandardising hand and arm signal methodsPlanning for communication breakdown backupsLesson 3Weather assessment procedures: wind monitoring, gust forecasting, visibility checks, rain/icing effects and when to suspend lifting operationsThis part outlines how to track wind strength and direction, understand gust predictions, check clear sight, rain, snow, and ice buildup, and use maker guidelines and rules to decide when to limit or halt crane work for weather safety in Botswana.
Using wind gauges and direction markersReviewing weather predictions and gust patternsAssessing sight, mist, and night lightsEvaluating rain, snow, and ice effectsApplying wind and weather work limitsSteps to halt and restart hoistingLesson 4Wire ropes, hoist ropes and hooks: inspection criteria, wear limits, lubrication and end-of-life signsYou will learn check standards for wire ropes, lifting ropes, and hooks, including looking for snapped wires, rust, twists, bending, hook mouth widening, catch mechanism work, oiling standard, and spotting end-of-use signs that mean removal from duty.
Spotting snapped wires and rope strand harmChecking rope thickness and stretchingDetecting rust, twists, and cagingExamining hooks for breaks and bendingConfirming hook catch presence and operationOiling methods and removal standardsLesson 5Tower crane structural checks: mast, slewing ring, jib, counterweights, corrosion and deformation indicatorsThis part includes sight and function checks of tower crane parts, such as mast pieces, supports, turning ring, arm, counter arm, and balance weights, searching for splits, loose bolts, rust, bending, and odd sounds or shifts.
Checking mast pieces and joinsExamining supports, fixings, and bracingLooking at turning ring and bolt tightnessInspecting arm, counter arm, and supportsConfirming balance weight state and fitSpotting rust, splits, and warpingLesson 6Work area assessment: locating overhead power lines, adjoining buildings, public street risks, pedestrian routes and exclusion zonesHere you will learn to inspect the crane work zone for overhead electricity lines, close buildings, traffic paths, and public risks, then set up no-go areas, barriers, and watchers to manage people and vehicle movement near hoisting activities.
Finding and marking overhead power linesAssessing gaps to buildings and roofsEvaluating dangers to roads and walkwaysPlanning load routes and swing areasSetting barriers and no-go zonesWorking with site guards and trafficLesson 7Load chart interpretation: ratings by radius, configuration limits, dynamic factors and derating for attachmentsThis part shows how to read and use tower crane load tables, including strengths by distance and setup, impacts of arm length and balance weights, moving load effects, reductions for extras, and using tables to plan secure hoisting.
Understanding table design and termsStrength changes with distance and heightImpacts of arm length and setupAccounting for wind and moving factorsReductions for hooks, pulleys, and strapsChecking planned hoists against tablesLesson 8Crew competency and role verification: verifying riggers, signalers and operator certifications and pre-shift briefing checklistThis part includes confirming operator, rigger, and signaler skills, checking needed papers, noting daily readiness, and holding planned pre-shift talks that get the team aligned on jobs, risks, and talking methods.
Confirming operator papers and approvalsChecking rigger and signal skillsConfirming health fitness and tiredness stateReviewing site-specific training needsHolding planned pre-shift talksNoting team check recordsLesson 9Safety devices and limit switches: function checks for overload, anti-two-block, boom angle/radius, wind speed indicators and emergency stop systemsThis part shows how to test safety tools and limit switches, including overload guards, anti-two-block, arm angle and distance shows, wind warnings, and emergency halt circuits, making sure they work right before hoisting starts.
Testing overload and moment limitsConfirming anti-two-block workChecking arm angle and distance showsInspecting wind speed warnings and stopsTesting emergency halt buttons and circuitsNoting safety tool test outcomes
