Only certified individuals are qualified to operate cranes and perform crane inspections. The U.S. Department of Labor offers operational safety certification programs that train individuals to properly use and inspect cranes. When a crane goes without proper inspection, the general likelihood of experiencing crane-related injuries on the worksite increases.
Certain safety components, combined with proper operational procedures, contribute to increased safety while cranes are operating. Anti-current components arrest an electric current before it has a chance to injure a crane operator when a crane grazes power lines. Cranes can tip under a multitude of conditions. Anti-upset components deter tipping in cases where upset seems imminent.
According to Online Lawyer Source, roughly 50 Americans die annually from crane-related accidents. About 15 electrocutions occur annually from crane/power line contact, according to the National Institute of Occupational Health & Safety. According to Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, crane upset occurs at an average rate of once every 10,000 hours of crane operation.