Industrial machinery is an important tool for manufacturing companies.
Among them is the overhead crane, a machine that allows the movement of heavy loads within industrial buildings.

The overhead crane is essential for industrial productivity, and for this reason, it is kept in service for as many hours as possible.

But what happens if this crucial machinery experiences a breakdown? In the event of a crane failure, immediate action is taken to analyze the problem and restore operational status. The moving components of

the overhead crane are located at several meters above the ground, and performing maintenance without fall protection systems can represent a risk.

Runways, motors, transmissions, and electrical panels must be safely accessible, regardless of the urgency of the operations. Therefore, it is necessary to equip overhead cranes with appropriate fall protection systems to reach areas prone to failures and requiring periodic maintenance.

Among the solutions, the runways can be protected with a rope-based fall protection system (Type C), allowing safe cleaning of the rails and/or access to the crane.

Where possible, this system is installed at a height above the operator to minimize the damage in the event of a fall. For the safety of the cranes, one can also use guardrails, single anchor points (Type A) or lifelines (Type C), always trying to minimize the space required to safely arrest a fall.

Maintenance activities at height must be carried out with the area below as clear as possible to avoid an insufficient fall clearance (safety clearance). It is necessary to consider all conditions of the environment, not just those related to fall hazards, such as moving loads, moving machinery components, energized equipment, etc. It is therefore clear that overhead crane maintenance must be conducted with a thorough assessment of the associated risks. A well-maintained overhead crane can itself become a safety tool; with proper procedural and planning precautions, fall protection solutions can be implemented that leverage the structural strength of the crane to protect against falls from the work areas below. These solutions are particularly suitable where flexibility of positioning and large working areas are required.