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 capacity relative to anticipated weights, spot soft areas, cavities, or erosion, and assess drainage or underground water situations that might compromise stability during work.
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 gain knowledge on inspecting and testing communication devices, such as radios, batteries, chargers, extra units, and fixed signs, along with setting up reliable backup hand signal methods to ensure command is retained if 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 methods to track wind speed and direction, analyse gust predictions, evaluate visibility, rain, snow, and ice buildup, and utilise manufacturer and regulatory guidelines to determine when to limit or halt crane activities 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 acquire inspection standards for wire ropes, hoist ropes, and hooks, encompassing checks for broken strands, rust, twists, bending, hook throat widening, latch operation, lubrication state, and identifying terminal conditions that necessitate removal from use.
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 inspections of tower crane components, covering mast segments, ties, slewing ring, jib, counterjib, and counterweights, searching for fractures, loose bolts, rust, warping, and odd 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 learn to examine the crane operational zone for overhead electricity lines, adjacent structures, traffic paths, and public access, then set up restricted areas, barriers, and observers to manage foot and vehicle traffic near lifting activities.
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 part clarifies how to interpret and utilise tower crane load charts, including capacities based on radius and setup, impacts of jib extension and counterweights, dynamic load influences, reductions for accessories, and employing charts to organise secure lifts.
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 segment involves validating operator, rigger, and signaler credentials, examining necessary certifications, noting daily readiness status, and holding organised pre-shift meetings 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 part describes verifying safety apparatus and limit switches, such as overload safeguards, anti-two-block mechanisms, boom angle and radius monitors, wind alerts, and emergency halt circuits, confirming their proper operation before lifts commence.
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
