Tower cranes and mobile cranes are indispensable at a project. If there is no crane there is no construction. The manner in which the crane operator and the rigger cooperate is important. Lifting work can only be carried out properly if everyone is alert. This goes for both the crane operator as the rigger. In this toolbox we discuss how to communicate with the crane operator via the walkie talkie. It seems simple but using the walkie talkie properly requires more attention than you would think. A walkie talkie can be used by itself or together with a speaker microphone.
Using a walkie talkie
The walkie talkie is not always used properly. This can lead to misunderstandings, which can result in accidents.
Irritation and misunderstanding
Be aware that if you suddenly shout STOP when a load is being lowered, the crane will not instantly stop lowering the load.
Crane motors need time to slow down. Before the motors come to a standstill, the load might have descended another 6 metres because of the speed at which it is being lowered and its weight. Indicate the height in the number of metres that the load consists of: “SIX METRES, FIVE METRES, FOUR METRES, THREE METRES, TWO METRES, ONE METRE, HALF A METRE, 10 CENTIMETRES, STOP”.
The operator cannot see depth and therefore not estimate the distance between the load and the floor!
Watch the (Dutch) clips below.
The clips can be watched in Firefox, Chrome, Safari, but not in Explorer 11
Watch the (Dutch) clips below
The clips can be watched in Firefox, Chrome, Safari, but not in Explorer 11