Which safety practice is essential before operating a crane?

Conducting a pre-operational inspection is crucial before operating a crane because it ensures that the equipment is in safe working condition and ready for operation. This inspection involves checking critical components such as brakes, fluid levels, operational functionality, and the integrity of ropes and chains, among other aspects. Identifying any issues before beginning operations can prevent accidents and equipment failures, ultimately protecting the operator and crew on site.

Other practices, while important for safety, do not address the immediate readiness of the crane for operation as directly. Wearing steel-toed boots provides personal protection to the operator but does not ensure the crane itself is safe to use. Reading the operator’s manual is important for understanding the crane's specific functionalities and limitations, but it should not replace the need for a thorough equipment inspection. Filling out the daily log is a part of record-keeping that tracks equipment usage and issues, but it does not contribute to assessing the crane's operational safety before use. Overall, the pre-operational inspection is the definitive step to verifying the crane is safe and functional for the day's tasks.