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 foundations, pads, and access paths, confirm load-bearing strength against planned weights, spot soft areas, gaps, or soil erosion, and assess water flow or underground water effects that might weaken stability during work.
Reviewing soil engineering and load dataInspecting crane base, anchors, and padsAssessing temporary roads and access pathsIdentifying soft soil, gaps, and erosionEvaluating drainage and underground water impactsRecording 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, batteries, chargers, extra units, and fixed signs, and how to set up reliable backup hand signal methods to keep control if main systems fail during lifts.
Inspecting radios, headsets, and chargersTesting radio range and sound qualityManaging batteries and extra handheld devicesVerifying posted crane and site signsStandardising hand and arm signal methodsPlanning for communication breakdown scenariosLesson 3Weather assessment procedures: wind monitoring, gust forecasting, visibility checks, rain/icing effects and when to suspend lifting operationsThis part outlines how to track wind speed and direction, understand gust predictions, evaluate visibility, rain, snow, and ice buildup, and use maker guidelines and rules to determine when to limit or halt crane activities for weather safety in Eritrea.
Using wind gauges and indicatorsReviewing weather predictions and gust patternsAssessing visibility, mist, and night lightsEvaluating rain, snow, and ice effectsApplying wind and weather operation limitsSteps to halt and restart liftingLesson 4Wire ropes, hoist ropes and hooks: inspection criteria, wear limits, lubrication and end-of-life signsYou will learn checking standards for wire ropes, hoist ropes, and hooks, including looking for broken strands, rust, twists, bending, hook mouth widening, latch operation, lubrication state, and spotting end-of-use signs that require taking them out of service.
Spotting broken strands and rope damageChecking rope thickness and stretchingDetecting rust, twists, and cage-like damageInspecting hooks for breaks and bendingVerifying hook latch presence and operationLubrication methods and removal standardsLesson 5Tower crane structural checks: mast, slewing ring, jib, counterweights, corrosion and deformation indicatorsThis part includes visual and working checks of tower crane parts, such as mast segments, supports, slewing ring, jib, counterjib, and weights, searching for cracks, loose bolts, rust, bending, and odd sounds or shifts.
Inspecting mast segments and jointsChecking supports, anchors, and bracingExamining slewing ring and bolt tightnessInspecting jib, counterjib, and supportsVerifying counterweight state and fitIdentifying rust, cracks, 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, nearby structures, traffic paths, and public areas, then set up no-entry zones, barriers, and watchers to manage people and vehicle movement near lifting tasks.
Locating and marking overhead power linesAssessing gaps to buildings and roofsEvaluating risks to roads and walkwaysPlanning load routes and swing areasSetting up barriers and no-entry zonesCoordinating with site security and trafficLesson 7Load chart interpretation: ratings by radius, configuration limits, dynamic factors and derating for attachmentsThis part explains how to read and use tower crane load charts, including capacities by distance and setup, impacts of jib length and weights, movement load factors, reductions for add-ons, and using charts to plan secure lifts.
Understanding chart design and termsCapacity shifts with distance and heightImpacts of jib length and setupAccounting for wind and movement factorsReductions for hooks, blocks, and ropesValidating planned lifts using chartsLesson 8Crew competency and role verification: verifying riggers, signalers and operator certifications and pre-shift briefing checklistThis part covers confirming operator, rigger, and signaler skills, checking needed certificates, noting daily readiness status, and holding organised pre-shift talks that unite the team on duties, dangers, and contact methods.
Verifying operator licences and approvalsChecking rigger and signal person skillsConfirming health fitness and tiredness statusReviewing site-specific training needsConducting organised pre-shift talksDocumenting team verification recordsLesson 9Safety devices and limit switches: function checks for overload, anti-two-block, boom angle/radius, wind speed indicators and emergency stop systemsThis part explains how to test safety tools and limit switches, including overload guards, anti-two-block, boom angle and distance shows, wind alerts, and emergency halt circuits, making sure they work right before lifting starts.
Testing overload and moment limitersVerifying anti-two-block functionChecking boom angle and distance showsInspecting wind speed alerts and cutoffsTesting emergency halt buttons and circuitsDocumenting safety tool test outcomes
