Woodyard Crane Sway Hazards

Woodyards at pulp mills and other locations often use large overhead cranes to unload, store, and deliver logs. When moving logs and other heavy loads with an overhead crane, the load can sway (swing), especially when starting or stopping and in windy conditions. This is a serious hazard because the swaying load can hit people or objects. Swaying loads can also cause excess wear and strain on crane components, which can lead to premature failures. In this course, we discuss the hazards associated with woodyard crane sway, common causes, and how it can be controlled or prevented. While this course was written for woodyard crane operators at pulp mills, operators of similar large overhead cranes at other sites will benefit from the concepts it presents.