The birth of the crane is tied to the birth of the pulley. Both of these concepts and early inventions are thought to be the mystery help that ancient civilizations received when building historic sites like the pyramid of Giza and the mysterious Stonehenge in Ireland. The early Mesopotamians devised early versions of pulleys around 1500 BC. They used these for hoisting water. The first compound pulleys were used by Archimedes, so the story goes, and used to lift an entire war ship. We thought we’d take a look at some of the history that lies behind the crane, its importance today, and how regulations keep them safe. It’s why Soutwestern Industrial does crane inspections, as we like to ensure the safety of you and your workers in every project.
Human beings have an innate need to build. And it’s why even thousands of years ago people thought up innovative and creative ways to construct their structures, complex as they seemed, although at first animals and man himself carried much of the burden. Once the compound pulley emerged, it contributed to the development of mechanical cranes.
The fist cranes came from the ancient Greeks and then continued development in Ancient Rome. During the Middle Ages the treadwheel crane was re-imagined, after it had been short lived a few decades prior. The treadwheel crane, for example, was elemental in the construction of many famous Gothic cathedrals throughout Europe.
Cranes come in many different sizes and why they can be useful for a variety of projects and types of work. The smallest crane is a jib crane to the tallest, which is a tower crane. That’s used for the most complex construction projects.
Establishment of OSHA and Crane Regulations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was created in 1970 to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for all of American workers. OSHA was created to enforce standards and providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. The reason the organization was created was because of public outcry and problems that arose with serious injury and death rates on the job. Congress decided that there needed to be a set of standards for industries—especially those that involved occupational hazards— in order to ensure the safety of all employees. Today, mobile and overhead crane inspections are a necessary part of any construction contractor’s job. These inspections are not only mandatory, but have been developed to prevent unnecessary injury or malfunction with today’s cranes.
Get Your Crane Inspections Done With Soutwestern Industrial
If you’re looking for a well-done and trustworthy inspection of your cranes, give Southwestern Industrial a call. We check for loose bolts, cracked and eroded parts, and excessive wear and tear, as well as checking that they meet all other OSHA regulations. We’ll help you keep your cranes in good shape!