Jib cranes are one of the most used types of crane in the wider lifting industry, thanks to their versatility and adaptability to different environments and situations. This allows them to be used be a host of different businesses, in many different ways, to further the productivity and output of that particular business. The potential of a jib crane to move objects is almost limitless, and they can lift, move, position, stack and do many other tasks as required. A bespoke jib crane might be needed for some of these tasks, or it might be possible to install and use a standard jib crane that will provide enough functionality.
When jib cranes are put to full use, they can have many positive benefits. They take the effort out of lifting and loading, making these processes faster and simpler so they can be scaled up as needed. With manual labour, scaling up is difficult without hiring a larger workforce and taking the time to train them up. With a jib crane, scaling up is much easier because the crane works faster, can lift larger capacities, and can carry out more tasks safely.
It is this safety component that makes jib cranes particularly useful at scale: workforces will have less lifting to do, protecting them from injury while at the same time increasing their productivity. This safety element is very important because serious injury can be caused by manual lifting that is not done correctly or that is done too many times, for too long a period of time, or using the incorrect lifting technique. Any kind of manual lifting that can be presented will help to keep people safer, and one of the key ways to do this is by using a crane instead of relying on workers to do things manually. While using cranes will result in safer processes, it is also important to train workers thoroughly before they are able to work with them. Under the LOLER and PUWER, it is essential that cranes and lifting equipment is operated by skilled, fully trained professionals who have received the correct training. They will need to have been trained in the use of the particular jib crane they will be operating, not just in the general usage of cranes. This is a specific requirement of the regulations as well as a logical health and safety measure; all cranes are different, especially with the highly adaptable and customisable nature of jib crane design. They can be made in so many different ways to fulfil a vast array of purposes, so in depth training will need to be provided to any crane operative. While this will take time, it is going to be highly beneficial in the long run for any organisation looking to increase production and scale up. Once training has been provided, it is essentially an investment in process and innovation, and it will allow operations to be expanded. When businesses are willing to invest in technology like jib cranes and ensure their proper use, there are numerous benefits for everyone.