What You Need to Know About Crane Rental in the Carolinas
The North Carolina Department of Labor: Occupational Safety and Health has a detailed breakdown of what federal standards apply to crane operation on construction sites in NC. It can be a lot to keep track of, on top of all the other intricacies of managing a construction project.
When selecting a crane company, you need to ensure that they operate to OSHA standards and provide the services you need. When looking for a crane rental company, consider the following five items to ensure you partner with an experienced team who won’t endanger your workers or job site.
1. Licensing and Certification
When selecting a crane company, the first items to look for are their licensing and certifications. Both the company needs certification as well as maintenance crew, crane operators, and rigging specialists.
Keep in mind you will likely be hiring a company to provide both crane and personnel to the jobs site. So make sure to verify they are up to date on all training and government regulations. Look for certification by the following institutions in particular:
- Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SC&RA)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO)
2. Appropriate Machines
You can generally check on licensing and certification before contacting a crane rental company. However, you won’t know before discussing your job with them if they have the appropriate cranes and personnel for the project or time in their rental schedule to fit you in.
Be sure to discuss the project's logistics, including site location and required load specifications. While discussing cranes, be sure to ask about their fleet's maintenance schedule. Cranes are large hardy pieces of machinery. But they will only operate safely when properly maintained and inspected.
Having the right equipment for the job can make the work easier and safer for everyone. A good rental company should identify the type of crane required and if they can provide it.
3. Safety Focus
Look for a company that has an established high safety standard. A good crane rental service will provide more than equipment and crew. They will help reduce the risk of workplace accidents with a comprehensive safety program of pre-lift job assessments, daily risk audits, and on-site hazard analysis. Ask about the following aspects of safety:
- Are provided employees trained for emergencies?
- What frequency do they perform site inspections during a job?
- Are there daily safety briefings, and who is involved?
When discussing your upcoming job, ask about their Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR). OSHA monitors this score against industry standards. All companies subject to OSHA regulations are required to keep appropriate records of safety incidents and measures.
4. Insurance Coverage and Safety Rating
Check that any crane rental company you contract has a proper level of insurance. Given the heightened danger if an error or accident occurs on-site, insurance coverage needs to be high, and the crane operating company should cover accidents. If the crane owner or operator is not adequately insured, you could end up footing the bill out of your insurance or pocket if something goes wrong.
Ask about the company's Experience Modification Rate (EMR) when checking insurance coverage. Insurance and workman's compensation uses EMR ratings to determine the company's risk. If their rating is under 1.0, they have a safety record above the average. If it is over, you may want to steer clear.
5. Contracting Requirements
Once the initial selection stages are over, you should have a clear idea of what crane and crew are being provided and know that the company has the safety and track record to perform. It is time to take a look at a formal contract. If they don’t offer one, now is the time to walk away.
Crane equipment is expensive to maintain and dangerous on-site, and any reputable company will take agreements to use it seriously.
Read through the documents thoroughly with a lawyer and address any questions you may have. The contract should clearly lay out fees and expenses for equipment rental and crew costs. Pay special attention to the following details within the contract, so you know who is responsible for what.
- What happens if inclement weather or other delays on the site cause any overage on time?
- Who is responsible for maintenance and servicing during the rental?
- Will a replacement crane be provided in the event of a breakdown or other incident?
- What responsibilities do your crew have on-site during crane lifts?
Reliable, Safe Crane Service in North Carolina
If you need safe, reliable hydraulic truck cranes in North Carolina and surrounding states, Parker’s Crane Service has you covered. Our fleet is backed by professional staff and a Zero Accident Philosophy. We provide equipment that is well maintained and services for risk management and safety programs. All of our operators, riggers, and signal persons are OSHA certified.
Contact us today if you would like to discuss your needs and whether or not our services and equipment will work for your construction project. We provide free on-site quotes and evaluations.