Lesson 1Ground and foundation checks: crane base, pad conditions, temporary roadways, surface bearing capacity and ground water/drainage issuesIn this lesson, you will discover methods to evaluate crane foundations, pads, and access paths, confirm load-bearing capacity relative to anticipated weights, spot soft areas, gaps, or soil erosion, and assess drainage or underground water factors that might compromise stability during crane activities.
Reviewing geotechnical and bearing dataInspecting crane base, anchors, and padsAssessing temporary roadways and access routesIdentifying soft ground, voids, and erosionEvaluating drainage and groundwater effectsRecording and reporting ground deficienciesLesson 2Communication equipment checks: radio testing, battery management, spare handhelds, signage and backup hand signal protocolsYou will explore techniques to examine and test communication devices, encompassing radios, batteries, chargers, extra units, and permanent signs, along with setting up reliable alternative hand signal methods to ensure command continuity should main systems malfunction during lifts.
Inspecting radios, headsets, and chargersTesting radio range and audio clarityManaging batteries and spare handheld unitsVerifying posted crane and site signageStandardizing hand and arm signal setsPlanning communication failure contingenciesLesson 3Weather assessment procedures: wind monitoring, gust forecasting, visibility checks, rain/icing effects and when to suspend lifting operationsThis part outlines procedures for observing wind velocity and direction, analysing gust predictions, evaluating visibility, rainfall, snow, and ice formation, and implementing producer and authority guidelines to determine moments to limit or halt crane functions for weather-related safety.
Using anemometers and wind indicatorsReviewing weather forecasts and gust trendsAssessing visibility, fog, and night lightingEvaluating rain, snow, and icing impactsApplying wind and weather operating limitsProcedures to suspend and resume liftingLesson 4Wire ropes, hoist ropes and hooks: inspection criteria, wear limits, lubrication and end-of-life signsYou will gain knowledge on examination standards for wire ropes, hoist ropes, and hooks, covering detection of fractured wires, rust, twists, bending, hook mouth widening, latch operation, lubrication standards, and identifying terminal condition signals that necessitate service withdrawal.
Identifying broken wires and strand damageChecking rope diameter and elongationDetecting corrosion, kinks, and birdcagingInspecting hooks for cracks and deformationVerifying hook latch presence and functionLubrication practices and discard criteriaLesson 5Tower crane structural checks: mast, slewing ring, jib, counterweights, corrosion and deformation indicatorsThis segment addresses visual and operational verifications of tower crane frameworks, including mast segments, supports, slewing ring, jib, counterjib, and balancing weights, searching for fissures, loose fixings, rust, warping, and atypical sounds or shifts.
Inspecting mast sections and connectionsChecking ties, anchors, and bracing systemsExamining slewing ring and bolt tightnessInspecting jib, counterjib, and pendantsVerifying counterweight condition and seatingIdentifying corrosion, cracks, and distortionLesson 6Work area assessment: locating overhead power lines, adjoining buildings, public street risks, pedestrian routes and exclusion zonesHere, you will master surveying the crane operational zone for elevated electricity cables, adjacent structures, traffic paths, and community exposure, followed by defining restricted areas, barriers, and observers to regulate foot and vehicle traffic near lifting tasks.
Locating and marking overhead power linesAssessing clearances to buildings and roofsEvaluating risks to streets and sidewalksPlanning load paths and swing envelopesSetting up barriers and exclusion zonesCoordinating with site security and trafficLesson 7Load chart interpretation: ratings by radius, configuration limits, dynamic factors and derating for attachmentsThis segment clarifies reading and utilising tower crane capacity tables, covering load limits by distance and setup, influences of jib extension and balancing weights, motion-induced load adjustments, reductions for fittings, and employing tables to organise secure lifting tasks.
Understanding chart layout and terminologyCapacity changes with radius and heightEffects of jib length and configurationAccounting for wind and dynamic factorsDerating for hooks, blocks, and slingsValidating planned lifts against chartsLesson 8Crew competency and role verification: verifying riggers, signalers and operator certifications and pre-shift briefing checklistThis part involves validating operator, rigger, and signaler credentials, examining necessary qualifications, noting daily readiness condition, and leading organised pre-shift discussions to synchronise the team on duties, dangers, and interaction methods.
Verifying operator licenses and endorsementsChecking rigger and signal person qualificationsConfirming medical fitness and fatigue statusReviewing site-specific training requirementsConducting structured pre-shift briefingsDocumenting crew verification recordsLesson 9Safety devices and limit switches: function checks for overload, anti-two-block, boom angle/radius, wind speed indicators and emergency stop systemsThis segment describes verifying safety apparatus and limit mechanisms, including excess load safeguards, anti-two-block functions, boom angle and reach displays, wind alerts, and urgent halt circuits, confirming proper operation prior to initiating lifts.
Testing overload and moment limitersVerifying anti-two-block operationChecking boom angle and radius indicatorsInspecting wind speed alarms and cutoutsTesting emergency stop buttons and circuitsDocumenting safety device test results
