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High Winds and Crane Lifting: When to Stop
If the wind catches the load, it controls the crane - know your wind speed limits and stop before it is too late.
Why this matters
- In the Gulf region, wind speeds can increase rapidly, especially at the height of the crane jib. A light breeze on the ground might be a dangerous gust 50 meters up. When wind hits a load, it acts like a sail, pulling the crane out of its safe operating zone.
- Ignoring wind limits leads to catastrophic failures, including crane collapses or the load smashing into nearby structures and workers. Even if the load is light, a large surface area makes it impossible to control in high winds.
Talking points
- Check the anemometer (wind speed meter) display or ask the operator for the current reading before every lift.
- Know the specific wind speed limit for your crane and the specific load; some loads (like shutters or panels) have lower limits.
- Always use taglines to maintain control, but never wrap the line around your hand or body.
- If the load starts to spin, swing, or become difficult to manage, land it immediately and stop the operation.
- The crane operator has the absolute right to refuse a lift if they believe the wind speed is unsafe.
- When work is stopped due to wind, the crane must be placed in 'weathervane' mode (brakes released) so it can spin freely with the wind.
- Watch for 'sail effects' - lightweight objects with large surface areas are more dangerous in wind than heavy, compact loads.
Ask the crew
- What is the maximum wind speed allowed for the lift we are doing today?
- Where is the anemometer display located so the operator can see it?
- If a sudden gust makes the load swing toward a building, what is our emergency plan?
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