The dumpster screwup on 5th Ave that changed my rigging flow

Last month I was setting up a pick for a HVAC unit on a 5th Ave rooftop and my tagline got snagged on a dumpster lid corner. I lost 20 minutes re-rigging because I didn't walk the full perimeter first, which is basic stuff I usually do. But the funny part is the building super watched me and said, 'You crane guys always trust the drawing, never the sidewalk.' He was right, the actual clearance was a foot less than the site plan showed. Now I do a slow walk-around with my spotter every single job, even quick ones, and I check for dumpsters, signs, and loose fencing. Has anyone else had a surprise obstacle that wasn't on the lift plan but threw off your whole timing?

2 comments

2 Comments

milam481mo ago

Ha! Same here, trust the walk, not the paper. Saved my butt last week.

seth_singh201mo ago

Trust the walk, not the paper" is exactly it. I had a similar thing with a rooftop unit a few months back, the plan showed a clear path but there was a brand new AC condenser sitting right in the zone where I needed to swing the load. Not on any drawing. Spent an extra 45 minutes moving it with the super's crew. Now I do the same as you, me and my spotter do a slow lap and I poke at anything that looks flimsy. Found a loose fence panel last week that would've torn my strap to shreds. Costs five minutes to walk it, saves an hour of rework.