Having a crane on your construction site can make it easier to transport heavy loads from one place to another. If your project has vertical work areas, a crane can be a valuable tool in ensuring that workers have access to the materials and supplies needed to complete your construction project.

While cranes can be useful, these pieces of heavy machinery can also be dangerous when not operated properly. Here are three tips that new crane operators can use to improve the safety of their crane operations in the future.

1. Always perform a pre-operational inspection.

It's important for new crane operators to get into the habit of performing a pre-operational inspection before each and every lift. This inspection will allow the operator to evaluate the condition of the crane itself, and it will also give the operator a chance to double-check the weight of the load to ensure the crane is capable of completing the lift.

Many of the accidents that occur while a crane is in use can be avoided with a proper pre-operational inspection, so new crane operators should make it a point to complete these inspections in the future.

2. Always check the rigging gear.

Once a pre-operational inspection is complete, new crane operators should invest some time in checking the rigging gear. The rigging gear plays a critical role in hoisting heavy loads into the air, so faulty rigging gear could result in a serious accident during a lift.

New operators should ensure that they are looking for fraying, buckling, or other signs of damage when inspecting the rigging gear before a lift. Questionable rigging gear should be replaced to ensure maximum safety while the crane is in operation.

3. Complete continuing education courses.

While some operators feel that the instruction they received during their certification training is sufficient, new crane operators should always invest in continuing education courses.

These courses provide valuable information on new trends within the crane industry, and they also allow operators to gain hands-on experience working with new cranes and lift equipment. Continuing education courses help new operators become more knowledgeable, which allows them to remain vigilant when it comes to preventing serious accidents in the future.

Operating a crane is a significant responsibility. Mistakes made by crane operators can result in serious damage or injury, so it's important that operators remain aware at all times. New crane operators can improve their ability to maneuver a crane safely by completing a pre-operational inspection, conducting a thorough check of all rigging gear, and investing in continuing education courses over time. To learn more about cranes, contact companies like Bogner  Construction Co.