How Much Does Crane Safety Actually Cost?

What safety features should be built into your next crane or your lifting equipment? Which ones tend to get cut before the order is placed?

In this episode of Safety Factor, crane experts share what happens when budget decisions override safety intentions. From no-touch rigging tools to laser-marked danger zones, they walk through the safety innovations available today and explore the extra costs associated.

You’ll hear about the most common injury patterns in steel operations, the push-pull between production and safety, and how small investments now can prevent major incidents later.

"Everybody has caviar dreams until they find out how much it costs, right? So yes, they want to make them safe. Yes, they want to make them reliable, right? ... 'Yes, I want the Cadillac.' And then you give 'em the price and they say, 'Oh, well, what can we do to get it, you know, half price?'"

Episode Highlights:

• Why crane safety features get cut during procurement - A real look at where cost pressures show up—and what it means for operators

• No-touch systems and radio control systems - What they do, how they help, and the % price bump to expect

• Crane safety vs. production pressure - Why “just train them better” isn't a full strategy—and what to do instead

• How to use incident data to justify safety upgrades - Learn how near-miss trends can support your CapEx proposal

• The hidden cost of designing for price, not safety - When procurement wins the spec battle, who pays the price later?

Whether you're specifying cranes, selecting safety systems, or building a CapEx case, this episode offers grounded advice on how to prioritize safety, even when budgets tighten.

Guests:

• Jim Warren, Director of Steel Segment, Mazzella
• Chris Ross, Key Account Manager, Mazzella
• Lance White, Director of Sales Specialists, Mazzella

FREE DOWNLOADS:

• Overhead Cranes E-Book: Overhead Cranes From Top To Bottom

• 10 Things to Consider When Selecting an Overhead Crane for Your Business Checklist

• Bridge Crane Quote Comparison Tool

• Overhead Crane and Hoist Service E-Book: A Guide to Upgrades and Modernizations

• Overhead Cranes & Built-Up Hoists Brochure

• No-Touch Electrode Handling Systems Brochure