OSHA Issues Fact Sheet to Help Longshore Crane Operators
OSHA has published a new fact sheet to improve crane operation safety in marine terminals. The publication, "Radio Communication Can Assist Container Gantry Crane Operators in Marine Terminals" (http://www.osha.gov/Publications/radio-communication-factsheet.html) is designed to help longshore employees work safely on the ground, on a ship, and in a crane.
"Depending on a particular operation, employees under the crane or aboard ship may need to communicate with the crane operator," said OSHA head Edwin G. Foulke Jr. "OSHA believes that employers and employees who use radio communication between those working on the ground, on a ship, and in the crane will result in fewer accidents and greater productivity."
The use of radio communication by the crane operators and longshore personnel can reduce the risk of injury and property damage because the crane operators will no longer need to rely on their line of sight or hand signals from longshoremen to move cargo safely and accurately, OSHA said.