There are three main weather conditions that heavily impact a cranes safe operation. 

It is important to note that while you may not feel a breeze on the ground, the higher up you go the faster the wind speed. Operators experience and risk planning will be a key role in mitigating this risk if it were to occur suddenly. Following a significant increase in wind speed the crew will gauge their ability to control and secure the load for a safe landing. Conversely, if high wind speed is present before the lift, the lift will most likely be postponed until weather conditions clear so that they are operating in a controlled environment.

While some cranes are fitted with lightning rods, mobile cranes do not have this protection. Thus, it is extremely dangerous to operate. A strike could severely damage electrical systems causing malfunctions and proposing a large safety risk to both the crane and most importantly the operator. A predicted likelihood of a storm on the day of operation will most likely see the job postponed until it can be completed safely. 

Heavy rain means poor visibility for crane operators. When there isn’t a clear vision of the load or landing, the job will be ceased immediately. Rain also has an impact on the ground stability and access to a site, to prevent damage to the property and to the crane high rain fall can often lead to the job being postponed.