Types of construction cranes and their application

The continuous growth of cities and the ever-increasing size demands of buildings are reflected on the construction site, where a construction crane is a must-have solution during the construction of skyscrapers. Although they vary in terms of lifting capacity, mobility and individual components depending on the model, their main task is the vertical transport of people and building materials. Safety rules also do not deviate from the norm regardless of the type of equipment used. Using the aforementioned characteristics, we can differentiate them into passenger and goods cranes (transport of cargo and people) or goods cranes (transport of the cargo alone).

Every person involved in renting or operating a construction crane for their own use should be aware of the responsibilities that rest on their shoulders. All the machines listed above are subject to technical inspection and should be operated in accordance with the operation and use manual, i.e .:

Each device should have a workplace manual developed on the basis of the operating manual, it is the task of the operator, so that every crane operator can consult it. In order to ensure the safe use of the device, the operator is obliged to carry out proper maintenance of the machine in accordance with the requirements of Annex 2 to the Regulation of the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Technology of May 21, 2019 on the method and procedure for checking the qualifications required for the operation and maintenance of technical devices and the manner and procedure for extending the validity period of qualification certificates. Technical condition tests should be carried out within the prescribed deadlines specified in Annex 2 to the Regulation of the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Technology of October 30, 2018 on technical conditions of technical inspection in the field of operation, repair and modernization of handling equipment (Journal of Laws 2018, No. item 2176), unless the manufacturer specified otherwise. Another obligation on the part of the operator of the device is to create a maintenance log, which should be regularly kept by the maintenance person.

Construction 

A crane is a massive construction machine that enables the construction of skyscrapers, tall office buildings and edifices. Cranes are constructed from a column and a boom, the appearance and general use of which varies from model to model. The column is often reduced to a rotating base on which a pivoting boom of telescopic design sits. In most cases, the boom is installed in two places: it is either swung out at the top of the column or pulled out inside the column by means of a pullout at the top. At the end of the boom, a linkage is mounted. The power required to operate the crane efficiently is provided by several electric motors, which supply the energy needed to drive the undercarriage, rotate the boom, swing the jib, move the jib and raise the hook. Without them, operation of the machine would not be possible.

The design is different for goods and passenger lifts (goods lifts), where the movement of goods takes place in cabins or on platforms that rise and fall along vertical guides. They usually use a free-standing structure, inside which there are many moving parts that pose a hazard to workers occupying their positions close to the lift. For this reason, free spaces are enclosed by steel mesh. It is interesting to note that lifts are designed to have a higher lifting capacity than specified in the design documents, also to ensure safety in the event of small differences in capacity and to allow for a certain margin that should not be exceeded in the interest of "goodness" - the efficiency of the machine. The design of a freight lift is usually external, self-supporting and supported by 4 pillars. The space of the cabin is usually adapted to the dimensions of the loads to be transported, often with a designated space for a certain number of pallets. The form of finish, or 'frame', is chosen depending on the type of goods that are being transported by the lift, e.g. stainless steel is used for goods that go on shop shelves, as it is easy to clean. Each lift has a door, usually swinging, which is manually operated.

technical inspection authority 

All construction lifts are subject to technical inspection in accordance with the Regulation of the Council of Ministers of 7 December 2012 on the types of technical devices subject to technical inspection (Journal of Laws of 2012, item 1468). Following the above regulation, we can conclude that in order for a construction crane to be fully used to work on a construction site, it must have a valid decision authorizing its operation, issued by a designated technical inspection unit. How to get such a decision? The device should be reported in writing for technical examination, which will confirm the safety of its use. Then submit the relevant documentation to the Office of Technical Inspection, which will send its employee to test the efficiency of the device. After receiving a positive result, we obtain a time-limited decision (the equipment should undergo constant maintenance in order to ensure the safety of its operators and other employees) allowing for the operation of the construction crane. Crane repairs and service activities should be performed periodically. 

Operator Training Center  

OSO offers new trainings in the field of goods and passenger lifts. The course consists of a theoretical and practical part, preparing for the UDT exam. Our clients receive a certificate of completion of the course, and after successfully passing the exam, they are authorized to operate goods and passenger lifts in the form of a UDT qualification certificate, valid for 10 years. Within three months before the expiry date of the certificate, an application for renewal of the certificate should be submitted, in which we declare that we have been operating hoists and winches for at least 3 years for the last 5 years. We submit an application for extension in paper or electronic form to the UDT unit that issued us the qualification certificate. 

UDT licenses for cranes are issued in two categories: 

- "DI" for construction lifts, they entitle the candidate to operate construction goods and goods-passenger lifts as well as goods lifts. 

- "D II" for goods and passenger lifts with internal control and hospital (authorizes to operate goods and passenger lifts with internal control and hospital lifts without cab load control). 

We cordially invite you to familiarize yourself with the full offer of services and training provided by SPAs on our official website Edukacja-udt.pl. There you will also find information on how our trainings are conducted and the price list. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone and have a nice day.