Lighting Solutions for Mobile Overhead Cranes: Enhancing Safety and Efficiency

Employees can become unaware of the danger of the fast-paced nature of work and the constant distractions that come with it. This includes equipment traffic. But audible alarms can be useful. They may not always be heard, especially in loud environments like steel mills.

Employees of mobile equipment before it gets too close.

Recently, many companies have started using blue spotlights. The overhead cranes and mobile equipment operating within their facilities use these lights to enhance pedestrian safety.

These pluses, companies with fixed overhead cranes use crane spotlights to enhance safety. These lights are specifically designed for cranes and are the only of their kind in the industry.

They help prevent accidents by making cranes more visible to in-plant vehicles. They make things better for people by reducing the risk of collisions and injuries.

overhead red blue crane safety lights

Lights for Overhead Crane 

Have you ever experienced a maintenance cart coming up behind you? Or when you turned a blind corner and were surprised by a moving piece of equipment?

These scenarios can happen when the facility does not have proper safety measures in place. It can be avoided with warning signals, such as lights, sounds, or other forms of visual cues.

Warning light for Crane 

 when used throughout the day, workers may become accustomed to the sound. They will no longer pay attention to it. Warning spotlights are introduced to address this problem.

This is developed to spot the equipment. It provides a visual cue to pedestrians. It alerts them to the pres lights are an extra warning system that complements the existing audible alarms.

These provide a more direct and visible sign of the danger. Blue spotlights are becoming more common. They increase awareness of mobile equipment movement. And they reduce the chances of collisions or accidents.

9″ Overhead Crane LED Warning Light

9″ 75 Watts Overhead Mobile Crane LED Warning Side Lights

Warning Perimeter Lights for Overhead Crane 

Overhead crane LED proximity warning lights have become an important safety feature in recent years. These lights typically consist of a front light continuously on when the crane is working. A rear light activates when it works in reverse. 

For enhanced safety, manufacturers are now developing various lights. These lights warn pedestrians of mobile equipment in the vicinity. They are such as forklifts and rotating equipment. 

There were positive responses from employees about the increased awareness of mobile equipment. This is through the use of blue lights. It has led to the consideration of implementing similar lights on overhead cranes.

Audible Alarm For Overhead Crane 

Standard practice is to be aware of and locate cranes while working in a steel mill. But employees who are absorbed in their tasks or deep in thought may not hear the overhead crane’s warning siren.

The sound of an alarm serves as a general warning to employees in the vicinity. But it relies on them to recognize the danger and determine if it poses a direct threat.

In contrast, the movement of an overhead crane’s light provides a clear and immediate warning to those who are close by.

Furthermore, the crane’s spotlights are always on when the equipment is in use. It eliminates the possibility of human error. But the audible warning sirens will be on when the operator works on the crane.

Why using a safety light is essential for crane warning light

Safety Warning Light For Overhead Crane 

The forklift’s blue lights project a beam (15 feet) that creates a consistent and visible blue spot on the ground.

Different heights of overhead cranes may present a challenge in selecting the appropriate LED light. This is to create a large, visible beam on the floor.

Upon investigation, it was found that the concept of overhead crane warning lights is relatively new.

But, manufacturers are currently designing and producing LED lights. This is to use in overhead cranes to help pedestrians to see crane movements. 

LED Side Lights For Overhead Crane 

In the initial trials of LED lights on overhead cranes, the same lights used for mobile equipment were used. Specifically, a 4 LED blue spotlight.

A blue spotlight was mounted on the bridge of an overhead crane at 65 feet height. This resulted in a blue spot measuring 6 feet by 6 feet on the floor.

Yet, it was found that it would be beneficial for the lights on overhead cranes to be different in color from the lights on mobile equipment. This helps workers differentiate the two. The focused beam color was only red.

So, a red 4 LED spotlight from the same manufacturer as the lights for mobile equipment was acquired. And they were installed on the same overhead crane at 65 feet height. 

Mobile crane Blue LED Safety Light With Pedestrian Boundary Line

Safety Lights For Overhead Crane

The area of operation for the crane was well-lit. It was by using halogen lights and natural sunlight from overhead doors. But, the particular red light created a soft red spot on the ground.

This light faded away when it was exposed to natural sunlight. Stronger lights were sought for taller cranes (over 100 feet). This was to produce a more visible spot on the ground.

Blue 2 LED and red lights were purchased. It was done to use as warning lights on overhead cranes.

These lights worked well, creating a brilliant 7-foot x 7-foot spot on the floor from a height of 100 feet. Yet, it should be noted that there were still some red and blue colors fading in areas lit by natural sunlight.

Light Duty For Overhead Crane

After testing a green light on a crane, feedback from employees indicated that the visibility was better with the red light. This is in comparison to the green light.

Performance and feedback made it clear that red lights are best for industrial facilities. It is important to experiment with colored lights before settling for one.

The overhead crane lights have proven to be valuable to the existing audible warning sirens. They serve as a visual warning for employees who may be distracted.

Or even for those who have become accustomed to audible alarms. This prevents them from walking under a suspended load unknowingly.

Lights on the crane’s bridge will be angled outward to alert workers to its approach. The warning distance can be customized based on the surrounding area.

line beam pattern LED forklift blue lights

Warning Systems For Overhead Crane 

Another option that can be considered is installing lights on the trolley. This is positioned to project straight down from the trolley’s four corners.

This will create a visible “danger zone” in the area of a suspended load. This can be best not only for pedestrians but also for crane operators. It helps them to keep an eye on the position of the trolley and the load. 

By having the lights on the trolley, the crane operator does not have to take their eyes off the crane block. Or even the load to know the trolley is centered over the load.

Providing more awareness about the movement of the overhead crane leads to fewer opportunities for employees to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. This minimizes the potential of a possible accident.

line beam pattern LED forklift blue lights

Can you explain the functioning of security lights on cranes?

Overhead warning lights not only serve as a safety feature for pedestrians but also aid crane operators in moving objects and adjusting the crane hook.

The light can be used as a reference point for the hook position. So it makes things easier for the operator to maneuver the crane.

The lights can also be adjusted by installing a lens cover to activate the light beam from a dot to a line. The adjustable mounting brackets make it simple and easy to place the warning light.

This single warning light can project either a line or a dot, depending on the operator’s preference and the specific task at hand.

overhead red blue crane lights

How do overhead crane lights function in terms of safety?

Overhead crane lights work by projecting safety lines on the floor, which serve as a visual warning to pedestrians of the movement of the crane.

These lines, displayed in a chosen color, inform all nearby employees of the presence of a moving load. Additionally, when used by the crane operator, the lights help to position the crane precisely and make it easy for the operator to maneuver it.

How do the lights on the overhead crane serve as a safety feature?

The lights on the overhead crane are used to enhance the safety of pedestrians by creating a visual warning of the crane’s movement.

The projected lines, displayed in a chosen color, inform employees in the vicinity of the moving load. Additionally, when used by the crane operator, the aid of the light in positioning the crane with precision.

75W LED Spotlight Overhead Crane Safety Warning Light

What is the process for installing the overhead crane lights?

Installing the overhead crane lights is a simple process. The lamp is mounted directly on the crane, and the included adjustable mounting bracket allows for easy positioning of the lamp in the desired location. The bracket can be adjusted up and down to place the lamp where needed.

Benefits of overhead crane lights include:

  • The lamps are available in two colors (blue and red). They can be used indoors and outdoors. This makes it easy to adapt to the specific requirements of a company.
  • The lamps make the crane work easier, safe, and more efficient for operators. They provide operators with better control over the load.
  • The lamp is the best solution for crowded areas in workplaces. It enhances the safety of employees around loading areas and cranes. 
overhead red blue crane lights

How does the light warning system function on an overhead crane?

The overhead crane lights project points or lines of light on the ground from an elevator. This avoids dangers to workers affected by suspended loads and crane hooks.

Each light on the overhead crane is equipped with 14 LEDs that project a beam of light on the ground.

It is to warn the presence of the crane’s aerial hook in the vicinity. This is an effective way to increase awareness and prevent accidents from occurring.

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