MATERIALS HANDLING AND STORAGE

Footwalk Hazards

If a footwalk is not provided, significant falling hazards exist for maintenance and inspection personnel when working from portable ladders, off the main bridge girder, or from the trolley platform. Maintenance managers and supervisors shall thoroughly check the crane maintenance procedures for those that are not provided with bridge footwalks.

In many older workplaces, serious hazards are associated with the bridge footwalk itself. It is quite common to find bridge footwalks not continuous or permanently secured. This could be dangerous for inspection personnel who must climb onto the crane to properly inspect the footwalk. It is also dangerous for maintenance employees and the crane operator who must go on the bridge footwalk.