Crane and outrigger pads play a crucial role as a safety tool in maintaining stability and preventing accidents during crane operations. They provide support and distribute the load, minimizing the risk of tipping or collapse. Understanding the importance of proper outrigger and crane pad usage is essential for ensuring a safe working environment.
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Below are important safety tips listed that anyone working in the lifting and rigging industry should follow when using outrigger and crane pads.
Outrigger pads are essential tools used in any lifting and rigging setup. They are flat objects that come in a variety of different sizes, thickness, and materials to accommodate the equipment's weight and points of contact.
Also known as crane pads, these tools sit underneath the outrigger (known as a shoe, foot, arm, or flat) and provide a flat surface that distributes the pressure more evenly across the ground. Because the point of contact between the outrigger and the ground is small, too much pressure can cause the ground underneath to shift and crumble. These products help alleviate this pressure to keep equipment like cranes stable during lifting jobs.
Outrigger & Crane Pad Safety Tips
Like any lifting and rigging equipment, safe usage ensures that personnel and equipment stay safe during operations. When it comes to using outrigger pads, follow these tips to make sure everything runs nice and safely during the job.
1. Conduct a Site Assessment
Prior to any crane operations, conduct a thorough site assessment to identify potential hazards. This includes factors like the positioning of your equipment, underground utilities, available space, environmental conditions, and obstructions. Be sure to check for any specific regulations or permits required for crane operations in the area. Always comply with local safety standards and guidelines to avoid any potential legal issues. This includes not only outrigger systems, but any other equipment involved like lifting slings, lifting beams and spreader bars, and any rigging hardware used.
- Browse through our collection of Lifting Slings today!
Part of the site assessment also includes evaluating ground conditions. Ground stability, which involves soil type, compaction, slope, and underground utilities, helps determine the appropriate size and type of outrigger and crane pad needed for the specific conditions. According to OSHA's standards on ground conditions, outrigger pads "must not be assembled or used unless ground conditions are firm, drained, and graded to a sufficient extent..." (.(b)). Ensure that conditions meet the necessary safety requirements to use cranes and other equipment on before taking on the task.
2. Understand Load Capacities
Secondly, be aware of your crane's load capacity and the maximum load it can handle with fully extended outriggers. Exceeding the load capacity or misjudging the load distribution leads to outrigger failure or crane instability. Also, not calculating additional weight components like counterweights used to lessen the pressure on outrigger pads leads to the same problems. Refer to the crane manufacturer's specifications and consult with an engineer if necessary.
3. Proper Setup and Leveling
Selecting the correct outriggers and crane pads is crucial for maintaining stability. Use outriggers specifically designed for the crane model and ensure they are in good working condition. Crane pads should be large enough to distribute the load evenly and prevent too much ground pressure. Use load-bearing calculation tools or consult with experts to determine the appropriate size and type of outriggers and crane pads for your specific application.
Keep these tips in mind when setting up the outrigger system:
4. Regular Inspections and Maintenance
Additionally, make sure to regularly inspect and maintain outriggers and crane pads so that they are in proper working condition. Check for signs of damage, corrosion, or wear, and address any issues quickly. Regular inspections help identify potential problems before they compromise safety. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance and conduct load testing when required.
5. Operator Training and Communication
Lastly, ensure that crane operators are adequately trained and experienced in outrigger and crane pad setup. They should have a clear understanding of load capacities, setup procedures, and safety protocols. Establish effective communication channels between the crane operator, signal person, and other personnel involved in the operation to ensure everyone is aware of their roles and responsibilities.
Outrigger and Crane Pads from U.S. Cargo Control
Safety is paramount when working with outriggers and crane pads. That's why US Cargo Control offers high-quality outrigger pads from DICA®. Designed with an engineered thermoplastic material, these products are made to be unbreakable, flexible, and withstanding of high pressure, temperature, moisture, and other corrosives. DICA® outrigger perform well compared to other competitors and handle a variety of applications, all while having an ergonomic design for safe and easy usage.
These products come in two different varieties:
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SafetyTech Pads: These outrigger pads work for a wide variety of equipment, from digging derricks and bucket trucks, to mobile cranes and concrete pumpers with higher reactionary forces. SafetyTech pads come in a variety of sizes and thickness to accommodate different equipment loads:
- Medium Duty Pads
- Heavy Duty Pads
- Super Duty Pads
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FiberTech Pads: These outrigger pads are made with Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (FRP) for added rigidity and strength-to-weight ratio that's higher than SafetyTech pads. With incredible durability and a service life of over 20 years, FiberTech pads are the durable alternative that seriously holds up for any outrigging task.
By following these essential safety tips, you can help ensure stability, prevent accidents, and create a secure work environment. Remember, a well-prepared and knowledgeable team is key to successful and safe crane operations.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website XINXINGHUAGONG.
More Articles You May Like:
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Spreader Bars vs. Lifting Beams: What's the Difference?
What is D/d Ratio, and Why is it Important for Lifting Slings?
Why is it Called 'Guy Wire?'
Talk with our product experts via or by at (866) 444- today for questions you might have on any of our cargo control products.
What are outrigger pads and what are they used for? You may have seen them a dozen times and not noticed, but outrigger pads are quite common with heavy machinery. An outrigger pad is a sturdy, heavy duty mat or pad that helps distribute the weight of heavy machinery more evenly across a surface by creating a larger surface area for the machine&#;s outriggers/stablizers to rest upon. This helps not only stabilize the equipment, but helps ensure safety and protects the machinery, especially on softer, less ideal terrain. Outrigger Pads are often used with any machine that uses outrigger arms, down-jacks, or stabilizers such as Cranes, R.V.s, Boom Trucks, and other types of lifts.
In this article we are going to discuss the types of materials that are used for outrigger pads, as well as the difference in shapes. After reading through this, you should have the knowledge to help decide which outrigger pad will be a good choice for you.
Firstly, you must decide the material that is best fit for the job and meets safety requirements. There are quite a bit of differences between the materials out there and sometimes the heaviest duty may not be the best job and vice versa. Read below to learn more.
Wood - While wood may be inexpensive and sometimes more accessible, there are quite a bit of drawbacks. Compared to other materials such as plastics and steel, wood is porous and absorbs liquids/chemicals easily. This can weaken the wood causing it to break apart quickly and become unreliable. Another drawback of wood&#;s porous nature is, as water is absorbed, the wood becomes much heavier, while offering less safety. The heavier your outrigger pad is the more likely someone is to injure themselves while handling it.
Steel - While steel may be the strongest material out there, it's not always best for the job. Steel has been in the industry for years and has always been known for its strength, but is also burdened by its weight. Because steel mats are so much heavier than other materials, they often require additional resources to handle. This could mean extra employees, vehicles, equipment and so forth. Not only does this add significant costs to your operations but it may not be the best choice for the job anyways. But nevertheless, for some of the toughest, heaviest jobs out, steel will always have its place.
Synthetic - Now that we have looked at both the wood outrigger pads and steel options, let's take a look at synthetic. While the thought of plastic being a reliable option may seem odd at first, it's more often than not the best option available and for many different reasons. First off, in terms of sheer strength, steel will always ultimately be stronger, but for most common jobs, composite plastics are not only just as strong, but also lighter and more maneuverable on the job site. Plus they are moisture and chemical resistant which can be a major issue with wood outrigger pads.
When really looking at the overall factors of what makes a good outrigger pad, the durability, and lightweight plus chemical and liquid resistant aspects make synthetic outrigger pads generally the best option for the job. Remember to always consider factors outside of just the job; weather, site conditions, employee count and so forth. Having this knowledge will not only help you get the right outrigger pad, but also ensures you. your team, and your equipment's safety.
Sizes & Shapes
Outrigger pads are built in different lengths, widths, thicknesses and shapes. When it comes to shapes, there are pros and cons depending on what you choose. For example, because large square outrigger pads have a large surface area, they are not as easy to move around on the job site as round outrigger pads, which usually can be rolled into position by one person but have less surface area.
With the exception of mobility and perhaps placement issues, there really isn't much to discuss when deciding shape. The square options are typically more common, but having an additional set of round outriggers will always come in handy. But past that, sometimes it just comes down to preference.
Summary
While there is still plenty to learn about how to properly size outrigger pads, after reading this article, hopefully you should have a much more clear idea of how outrigger pads work and the differences between them. Remember, if you need help or have any questions please reach out to us here at Orange Seal and we would be more than happy to answer any questions on outrigger pads that you may have. In the meantime, stay tuned for our next article where we will look more in depth at sizing, and check out our collection of outrigger pads at the link below. Enjoy folks.
View Our Collection Of Outrigger Pads Here
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