Emergency Procedures, Incident Response and Shutdown
Prepare before the lift
Emergency planning covers powerline contact, fire, hydraulic failure, brake failure, load drop, structural failure, collapse, injury, and severe weather. Know the location of firefighting equipment, first aid, emergency contacts and assembly points. Confirm escape routes and exclusion zones. Brief the team on emergency signals.
Powerline contact
If the crane contacts live conductors, the operator should stay in the cab and warn others to keep clear unless there is fire or imminent danger. If evacuation is necessary, jump clear without touching the crane and the ground at the same time, and shuffle or hop away. Never touch the crane or the load. Keep the exclusion zone until the supply is confirmed isolated.
Other emergencies
For a load that will not lower, secure the area and follow the manufacturer's recovery procedure. For fire, isolate power and use the correct extinguisher. For injury, provide first aid and call emergency services. Preserve the scene for investigation where safe. Report notifiable incidents to the regulator.
Shutdown
After the lift, lower the load, retract and pin the boom, stow the hook, apply brakes, lower outriggers, secure the crane, isolate power and complete the logbook. Shut down in high wind per the manufacturer's instructions.
Traps
Questions test whether you leave the cab during powerline contact (only if fire or imminent danger), whether you touch the load (never), and whether you move the crane away from lines (no, unless directed by the supply authority).
Rule of thumb
In any emergency, the priority order is people, environment, plant, then production.