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Outrigger Pad Basics: Safety Series

DICA’s new safety series, Outrigger Pad Basics was developed in partnership with NBIS, insurance provider for crane and rigging, concrete pumping and heavy haul equipment.

The essential tips for outrigger pad safety are helpful companions to jobsite responsibilities outlined in OSHA 1926:1402.

1: Always use outrigger pads

• Use outrigger pads on every job and every set-up.
• Always place outrigger floats in the centre of outrigger pads or crane mats. Caution! Not centring the outrigger float will cause off-centre loading which can may lead to a tip over.

2: Avoid the void

• Do not use outrigger pads or crane pads to span depressions or voids.
• Pads and other supporting materials should always be set-up on compacted, drained, flat and level surfaces.

3 Inspect your supporting materials

• When using pads, mats or other supporting materials, always inspect them for cracking, warping, rotting, or other signs of possible failure.
• Do not use any products or materials that show signs of cracking, warping, rotting or other signs of possible failure.

4: Test the ground

• Always use a roll or plate proof test to check the ground’s capacity and stability before operating.
• If excessive settlement occurs; 1. Find a better location to work from, or 2. Increase the area with additional matting and pads to reduce ground bearing pressures.