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Suspended Load in Construction Safety Practices

Posted on by Jessica Roley
21
Aug

When handling suspension loads in the world of construction sites, what goes up usually comes down – and there’s a potential risk associated with it when not handled properly with caution.

A safe working environment must be the ultimate goal of every employer or safety manager, especially in the demanding world of construction sites, which face potential hazards at any time. 

A Physical Ability Test (PAT) can also help you find employees who are physically capable of the demands of a specific job. Placing employees in challenging and demanding roles that they are not physically able to perform can increase the chance of workplace injuries and accidents.

The company’s safety policy has to meet the safety standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines in reference to suspended loads.

What is a suspended load?

A suspended load is anything that is lifted off the ground by a mechanical device or equipment such as forklifts, wheel loaders, overhead, boom, or jib cranes. It is also common for employees to work near suspended loads. Working around or near suspended loads involves a high risk of serious injury. 

 Source: HSE

Suspended load safety practices

It is critical to business operations that employees remain safe and productive while working with suspended loads. 

Here are some OSHA suspended load safety practices for a safer work environment:

  1. All personnel operating the suspended loads should undergo comprehensive training to have a good understanding of the equipment and environmental conditions. It is also important that they be certified and licensed to operate the equipment.
  2. Know the load limits and put a “10-feet rule” in place. No company employee is allowed within a 10-foot radius of the suspended load in case of equipment malfunction or an accidental drop.
  3. There should be regular equipment inspections of the cranes, hoists for wear and tear, corrosion, or other damage by qualified professionals. Proper inspections help prevent rigging failures and accidents.
  4. Workers should wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, especially those involved in suspended load operations, to protect against falling objects and injury.
  5. Before lifting any load, it is crucial to ensure proper load balancing and prevent accidents.

For jobs with challenging physical requirements, MedPhysicals Plus can work together with you to create a pre-employment test to ensure that you only hire qualified and capable candidates for the job.

We at MedPhysicals Plus offer occupational health services that focus on the reduction of occupational fatalities, injuries, and illnesses in the workplace. Our collectors and physicians stay up-to date on all relevant certifications and procedures. We share all of the relevant forms and documentation with you so that you can have peace-of-mind about your physical procedure. Contact us today or visit https://medphysicalsplus.com/occupational-health/ to learn more.

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