Had a close call with a sudden wind gust on a site in Omaha last Tuesday

Honestly, I was lifting a big steel beam for a warehouse, maybe 8 tons, and it was a clear morning. Out of nowhere, this wind came up off the plains, I'd say 30 mph easy. The load started swinging hard toward the crew's tool trailer. Ngl, my heart jumped. I immediately hit the stop, didn't try to fight it with the controls. I got on the radio, told everyone to clear the area, and just let the crane's brakes hold. We waited a solid ten minutes for the gust to die down before I very slowly lowered it to a safe spot. Has anyone else had to deal with a surprise wind like that, and what's your first move?

2 comments

2 Comments

claire6416d ago

@the_uma is right about holding, but we also check the rigging after. A sudden jerk like that can shift slings or damage a shackle. It's a quiet step a lot of crews forget before the next pick.

the_uma16d ago

Stop everything and hold position like you did. Trying to fight a swinging load with the crane is how you lose it completely. Your first job is to keep people safe, not save the lift.