What is tail swing and why is it a hazard?

• A. The arc of the crane’s counterweight or load during movement; can strike people, equipment, or structures.
• B. The noise produced by the crane.
• C. The color change of the paint during operation.
• D. The speed of the hoist.

Answer: (A)

Tail swing is the arc traced by the crane’s counterweight and the load as the crane slews or moves the load. That swing can extend into areas where workers, equipment, or nearby structures are located. It’s a hazard because the moving tail can strike people or things, causing serious injury or property damage. To prevent this, establish a clear exclusion zone around the tail swing, use barriers or spotters, maintain safe distances, and communicate clearly during moves. The other descriptions refer to things like noise, paint color change, or hoist speed, which do not describe the tail swing hazard.