Cranes and derricks installed on floating surfaces must have a placed where it can be easily seen by the operators.
Personnel platform
Guardrail
Boom angle indicator
Hoist drum
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is Boom angle indicator.
Explanation:
Cranes and derricks installed on floating surfaces, such as barges or vessels, must be carefully operated to ensure safety, especially considering the dynamic and sometimes unpredictable nature of waterborne environments. In such settings, a boom angle indicator is crucial to help operators understand and maintain the correct angle of the crane’s boom during operations. This is especially important on floating surfaces where the stability and positioning of the crane may vary due to wave motion or shifting tides.
A boom angle indicator provides the crane operator with real-time data on the angle of the crane’s boom relative to the horizontal plane. This allows the operator to make adjustments to the crane’s movement, ensuring that the load is lifted and moved safely without exceeding the crane’s operational limits. On floating surfaces, the crane’s stability can change depending on the movement of the vessel, so having an accurate boom angle indicator ensures that the crane’s boom operates within safe parameters, preventing potential accidents.
Let’s explore the other options briefly:
- Personnel platform: While personnel platforms are essential for safely transporting workers to elevated positions, they are not directly related to ensuring that cranes and derricks on floating surfaces are easily seen by operators or help monitor the crane’s performance. They are safety devices but not the primary tool for crane angle visibility.
- Guardrail: Guardrails are a safety feature designed to prevent falls or accidents on platforms, edges, or walkways. However, like the personnel platform, they don’t provide a means of monitoring or adjusting the crane’s boom angle, which is critical for safe operation on floating surfaces.
- Hoist drum: The hoist drum is part of the crane’s winch system and is responsible for lifting and lowering loads. While important for the crane’s functionality, it does not offer information about the boom angle, which is vital in floating surface operations.
Thus, the boom angle indicator is the most relevant tool for this specific requirement.