What is the purpose of taglines in crane operations?

The purpose of taglines in crane operations is to steady the load during lifting. Taglines are ropes or cables that are attached to the load being lifted and are held by ground personnel. Their primary function is to control the movement of the load, preventing it from swinging or rotating uncontrollably as it is lifted and moved. This is especially important in maintaining safety on the site, as it helps to ensure that the load travels along a predictable path and does not cause accidents or damage.

While taglines do contribute to safe operations, they do not increase the weight capacity of the crane, which depends on the crane's specifications and design. They do not replace the need for cranes; rather, they work in conjunction with them to facilitate safe handling of loads. Lastly, taglines do not indicate the load weight. Load weights are determined by separate measurements and are not indicated by the presence of taglines. Thus, the primary role of taglines is indeed to help steady and control the load during lifting operations.