Tag Archive: crane safety in the workplace

Ensuring Safety with Explosion-Proof Equipment

September 26, 2024 10:43 am Leave a Comment

American Crane and Equipment Corporation’s Solutions for Hazardous Environments

In industries where safety is paramount, especially those dealing with hazardous environments, having the right equipment is not just a necessity—it’s a lifeline. American Crane and Equipment Corporation (ACECO) has been at the forefront of providing reliable, high-performance explosion-proof equipment for over 50 years. Our expertise in designing and manufacturing explosion-proof cranes and material handling solutions ensures that safety is never compromised, even in the most dangerous conditions.

Understanding Hazardous Environments

Hazardous environments significantly heighten the risk of fire or explosion due to the presence of flammable or combustible materials. These environments might include industries handling:

Flammable liquids and vapors
Combustible dust, particles, or fibers
Flammable gases such as hydrogen or methane
Ignition sources like sparks or heat-producing equipment
Volatile or explosive leaks

In such settings, even a small spark can trigger catastrophic events, making it crucial to use equipment specifically designed to operate safely under these conditions.

Ensuring Safety in Hazardous Environments

ACECO’s explosion-proof cranes are meticulously engineered to prevent the ignition of hazardous materials in the surrounding atmosphere. These cranes are built with specially constructed electrical components that contain any explosion within the components, ensuring that it does not spread to the external environment. This design is critical for maintaining safety and preventing accidents in high-risk settings.

Customizability is another key feature of ACECO’s explosion-proof cranes. We tailor the design of each crane to meet the specific needs of a project, crafting component technology to withstand the unique hazards posed by the application. For instance, spark-resistant features may include stainless steel wire ropes, bronze hooks, and trolley wheels, ensuring the crane operates safely even in the presence of potentially explosive elements.

ACECO’s Explosion-Proof Material Handling Solutions

Beyond cranes, ACECO offers a wide range of explosion-proof material handling solutions, including hazardous environment chain hoists and wire rope hoists. We design these solutions with the same commitment to safety, reliability, and performance, making them suitable for various industries where hazardous conditions are a daily reality.

ACECO’s explosion-proof products come with a host of advanced features, including:

Spark-resistant components
Redundant braking systems for enhanced safety
NEMA 4x explosion-proof enclosures
Rigid galvanized conduits and cables with PVC PlastiBond coating
Anti-collision protection systems
Variable speed controls with micro-speed and indexing capabilities
Real-time X, Y, and Z positioning
An augmented Quality Assurance Program
UL 508 certification for control panels and assemblies in hazardous locations
Equipment built to NEC500 standards

These features ensure that ACECO’s equipment not only meets but often exceeds industry safety standards, providing peace of mind to operators and companies alike.

Comprehensive Support and Services

ACECO’s commitment to safety and quality extends beyond the design and manufacturing of our equipment. Our in-house resources for engineering, manufacturing, custom fabrication, installation, and field service ensure that every product meets the highest standards. Additionally, ACECO offers a range of services, including load testing, OSHA inspections, on-site service and repair, and preventative maintenance, all backed by our comprehensive Quality Assurance Program.

In hazardous environments where safety cannot be compromised, ACECO’s explosion-proof equipment stands as a testament to our dedication to protecting workers and ensuring operational reliability. Industries trust our solutions for their durability, safety, and customization options, making ACECO an essential partner in hazardous material handling

To learn more about how American Crane and Equipment Corporation can enhance safety in your hazardous environment, reach out to our expert team today or checkout our online store.

6 Tips for Increasing Crane Safety in Your Facility

April 20, 2016 2:13 pm Leave a Comment

Over the past 50 years, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) specifications for crane safety have remained relatively unchanged. To begin enhancing the training and safety opportunities in the overhead lifting industry, OSHA has recently renewed a five-year alliance with the Crane, Hoist and Monorail Alliance (CHM).

Crane Safety The partnership demonstrates OSHA’s confidence in CHM as a trusted resource in an ongoing effort to increase workers’ safety. In a recent EHS Today article, OSHA’s Assistant Secretary of Labor Dr. David Michaels said, “Our alliance with CHM has been invaluable in helping to reduce and prevent serious or fatal incidents in the material handling industry.”

To follow the example that these industry leaders have set, here are six ways that you can increase crane safety within your own facility:

Create Accountability with Your Inspection — Develop written guidelines for your crane and hoist inspection and maintenance programs; implement this code to train every operator on proper crane equipment use and safety protocol.
Schedule Your Inspections — Create a pre-planned schedule to stay on top of equipment functionality through preventative maintenance. Having a schedule will help to avert any breakdown repairs by ensuring that your equipment always meets the necessary safety requirements.
Read the Manual — It may sound silly, but it is crucial that every operator has read the manufacturers’ operation manuals. Implementing this practice will add an extra level of protection at your facility.
Conduct Pre-Shift Inspections — Crane operators should understand the applicable OSHA, national, state, and local inspection requirements for their machinery and ensure that all products are in compliance with these specifications at the start of each shift.
Implement a Lockout/Tagout Procedure — Lockout procedures safeguard employees by cutting equipment off from the energy source before any maintenance work. This precaution helps prevent accidental or unexpected operation from stored energy, as well as the resulting risk of injury.
Know Your Equipment’s Limits — Employees should always be aware of crane load limits as well as the capacities of each payload.

By taking these simple precautions, you can increase everyday workplace safety for your operators. To learn more about how to increase crane safety in your facility, we invite you to download our maintenance troubleshooting guide, “What Your Cranes Wish You Knew.”