Cranes & Rigging
Cranes & Rigging
CHASSE Building Team will ensure that only crane operators qualified by training or experience will be allowed to operate equipment and machinery by one of the following methods:
(1) Certification by an accredited crane operator testing organization
(2) Qualification by an audited employer program
(3) Qualification by the U.S. military
(4) Licensing by a government entity
B. Only qualified and experienced employees should be used as spotters and crane signalers.
C. A pre-lift meeting will take place before any lift begins. This will be documented on a Pre-Lift Checklist.
D. Cranes are to be operated only by qualified and trained personnel.
E. A designated competent person must inspect the crane and all crane controls before use. A Competent person means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
F. Be sure the crane is on a firm/stable surface and level.
G. During assembly/disassembly do not unlock or remove pins unless sections are blocked and secure (stable).
H. Fully extend outriggers and barricade accessible areas inside the crane’s swing radius.
I. Watch for overhead electric power lines and maintain at least a 10-foot safe working clearance from the lines.
J. Inspect all rigging prior to use; do not wrap hoist lines around the load.
K. Be sure to use the correct load chart for the crane’s current configuration and setup, the load weight and lift path.
L. Do not exceed the Working Load Limit (WLL) or load chart capacity while making lifts.
M. Raise load a few inches, hold, verify capacity/balance, and test brake system before delivering load.
N. Do not move loads over workers.
O. Be sure to follow signals and manufacturer instructions while operating cranes.
The employer must train each operator and crew member assigned to work with the equipment on all of the following:
A. The procedures to be followed in the event of electrical contact with a power line. Such training must include:
(1) Information regarding the danger of electrocution from the operator simultaneously touching the equipment and the ground.
(2) The importance to the operator’s safety of remaining inside the cab except where there is an imminent danger of fire, explosion, or other emergency that necessitates leaving the cab.
(3) The safest means of evacuating from equipment that may be energized.
(4) The danger of the potentially energized zone around the equipment (step potential).
(5) The need for crew in the area to avoid approaching or touching the equipment and the load.
(6) Safe clearance distance from power lines.
(7) Power lines are presumed to be energized unless the utility owner/operator confirms that the power line has been and continues to be de-energized and visibly grounded at the worksite.
(8) Power lines are presumed to be un-insulated unless the utility owner/ operator or a registered engineer who is a qualified person with respect to electrical power transmission and distribution confirms that a line is insulated.
(9) The limitations of an insulating link/device, proximity alarm, and range control (and similar) device, if used.
(10) The procedures to be followed to properly ground equipment and the limitations of grounding.
B. Employees working as dedicated spotters must be trained to enable them to effectively perform their task.
C. Employees who may be exposed to fall hazards while on or hoisted by equipment under this section.
Signal Person.
The employer must train each employee who will be assigned to work as a signal person who does not meet the requirements of Sec. 1926.1428(c) in the areas addressed in that paragraph.
Competent Persons & Qualified Persons.
The employer must train each competent person and each qualified person regarding the requirements of this subpart applicable to their respective roles.
Crush/Pinch Points.
The employer must train each employee who works with the equipment to keep clear of holes, and crush/pinch points and the hazards pertaining to those tasks.
Tag-Out.
The employer must train each operator and each additional employee authorized to start/energize equipment or operate equipment controls (such as maintenance and repair employees), in the tag-out and start-up procedures.
Crane lift plan complete and signed off (includes certificates, training, loads, etc.)
Ordinary Lift Planning. The designated leader will ensure that the following pre-lift planning issues are addressed, as applicable, prior to the lift (a written plan beyond normal site work planning and control documents is not required, though may be desirable for more complex lifts). A Pre-Lift Checklist may be used as documentation that a pre-lift meeting and pre-lift plan is in place. Also, for construction lifts involving multiple mobile cranes or temporarily installed overhead cranes, a written lift plan is required (refer 29 CFR 1926.1432).
A. Identify the item to be moved, its intrinsic characteristics (e.g., load integrity, loose materials, liquids), weight, dimensions, its center of gravity, its ability to support imposed lifting forces (both the load and any lift points), and whether it contains any hazardous or toxic materials.
B. Validate the loads path and clearances.
C. Identify lifting equipment and rigging to be used by type and rated capacity.
D. Prepare rigging sketches, as necessary.
E. Evaluate the work area for conditions impacting crane setup operations (e.g., weather, soil bearing capacity, underground utilities, clearances to power lines and other structures).
F. Identify any special or site-specific operating procedures and special instructions.
Any time a critical lift takes place, all safety concerns must be addressed and controls in place to eliminate identified hazards. Permits, if required, must be completed and approved per customer procedures.
15. Critical Lift Determination. A designated person will classify each lift into one of the categories (ordinary, critical, personnel or pre-engineered production) prior to planning the lift. A lift will be classified critical if any of the following conditions are met:
A. If loss of control of the item being lifted would likely result in the declaration of an emergency as defined by the facility’s emergency plan or construction site emergency plan.
B. The load item is unique and, if damaged, would be irreplaceable or not repairable and is vital to a system, facility or project operation.
C. The cost to replace or repair the load item, or the delay in operations of having the load item damaged would have a negative impact on facility, organizational, or budgets to the extent that it would affect program commitments.
D. If mishandling or dropping of the load would cause any of the above noted consequences to nearby installations or facilities.
E. For steel erection, a lift will be designated as a critical lift if:
(1) The lift exceeds 75 percent of the rated capacity of the crane or derrick; OR
(2) The lift requires the use of more than one crane or derrick. (§1926.751)
F. Further site-specific criteria may be developed to supplement those cited above and may include criteria imposed by site or project safety basis requirements as well as lifting loads which require exceptional care in handling because of size, weight, close tolerance installation or high susceptibility to damage as well as lifts using multiple pieces of lifting equipment.
G. Though lifting personnel may meet the above criteria, personnel lifts shall not be considered critical lifts and will be conducted in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.1431and ASME B30.23.
H. Critical Lift Requirements - Ensure that the requirements are met for ordinary lifts specified in each section of this standard for each particular equipment category. The operating organization will appoint a Lift Supervisor for critical lifts. The Lift Supervisor will be present at the lift site during the entire lifting operation. The Lift Supervisor will:
(1) Have the necessary knowledge and experience of the specific type of equipment and assigned lifting operations.
(2) Understand the site rules and procedures addressing:
a. Administrative requirements for lifting operations.
b. Personnel assignments and responsibilities commensurate with job requirements.
c. Selection of proper slings, rigging hardware, and lifting equipment.
d. Recognition and control of hazardous or unsafe conditions.
e. Job efficiency and safety.
f. Critical-lift determination and documentation.
(3) The Lift Supervisor will ensure that a documented pre-job plan or procedure is prepared by qualified person(s) that defines the operation and includes the following:
a. Identify the item to be moved, its intrinsic characteristics (e.g., load integrity, loose materials, liquids), weight, dimensions, its center of gravity, its ability to support imposed lifting forces (both the load and any lift points), and whether it contains any hazardous or toxic materials.
b. Identification of operating equipment to be used by type and rated capacity (e.g., mobile crane, overhead crane, forklift).
c. Rigging sketches and/or descriptions.
d. Operating procedures and special instructions to operators including rigging precautions and safety measures to be followed as applicable.
(4) All rigging equipment used in critical lifts (i.e., slings, below-the-hook lifting devices, and rigging hardware) will be proof load tested in accordance with applicable ASME standards.
(5) Experienced operators who have been trained and qualified to operate the specific equipment to be used will be assigned to make the lift.
(6) Only designated, qualified signalers will give signals to the operator. However, the operator will obey a STOP signal at all times, no matter who gives the signal.
(7) The procedure and rigging sketches will be reviewed and approved by a qualified person, the responsible manager (or designee) and the responsible oversight organization (such as the safety or engineering departments) before the lift is made. Subsequent revisions will be approved per site specific procedures.
(8) A pre-lift meeting involving participating personnel will be conducted prior to making a critical lift. The critical lift plan/procedure will be reviewed and questions will be resolved.
(9) Prior to executing a critical lift, a qualified person will verify that the as installed rigging matches the configuration in the approved lifting plan.
(10) If required by the critical lift procedure, a practice lift will be done before the critical lift. Conditions for a practice lift should closely simulate actual conditions involving: weight, rigging selection and configuration, load movement path, and other relevant factors. Practice lifts should be done by the same crew using the same lifting equipment that will be used in the lift.
(11) Although individual plans are generally prepared for critical lifts, multi-use plans may be employed to accomplish recurrent critical lifts. For example, a multi-use plan may be used to lift an item or series of similar items that are handled repeatedly in the same manner. However, if the lifting equipment or rigging must change to accomplish the lift, the critical lift plan must be revised and approved accordingly.
Crane inspection documents are complete and all issues addressed
Inspections.
A. Modified and/or repaired equipment will be inspected by the designated qualified person after the modifications and/or repairs have been completed, but before initial use.
B. Upon completion of assembly, the equipment will be inspected by the designated qualified person to assure that it is configured in accordance with manufacturer’s equipment criteria.
C. Prior to each shift, the designated competent person will perform a visual inspection of the equipment that will be used.
D. Once each month, all of the equipment that is in service will be inspected by the designated qualified person in accordance with the crane inspection criteria established at 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC.
E. Once each year, the designated qualified person will conduct a comprehensive inspection of all equipment that is in service in accordance with the crane inspection criteria established at 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC.
F. Safety devices are required to be on all equipment and must be in proper working order before operations begin. If any of the devices are not in proper working order the equipment must be taken out of service and operations must not resume until the device is working properly again. Examples of safety devices may include: crane level indicator, boom stops, jib stops, foot pedal brake locks, horns, etc.
G. When the equipment is used frequently enough that there is a reasonable possibility of damage or excessive wear, affected workers will stop using the equipment and take it out of service until it passes inspection by the designated qualified person based on the inspection criteria established at 29 CFR 1926.
H. Equipment that has been idle for three (3) months or more must pass inspection by the designated qualified person based on the inspection criteria established at 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC before it can be used.
Qualifications of Maintenance & Repair Employees. Maintenance, inspection and repair personnel are allowed to operate the equipment only under the supervision of the designated qualified person. Modifications or additions that may affect the capacity or safe operation of the equipment must not be made without written approval from the manufacturer or approval from a registered professional engineer.
Wire Rope Instructions.
A. Prior to each shift, the designated competent person will perform a visual inspection of any wire rope that is intended for use during the subsequent shift.
B. Once each month, all of the wire rope that is in service will be inspected by the designated qualified person in accordance with the wire rope inspection criteria established at 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC.
C. Once each year, the designated qualified person will conduct comprehensive inspections of all wire rope that is in service in accordance with the wire rope inspection criteria established at 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC.
Manufacture Procedures
All manufacturer procedures applicable to the operational functions of equipment, including its use with attachments, must be complied with. The operator will have access to procedures applicable to the operation of the equipment. Procedures include rated capacities (load charts), recommended operating speeds, special hazard warnings, instructions and operator’s manual. The designated competent person will ensure that the following operational aids, when applicable, are present on all equipment:
A. Boom hoist limiting device;
B. Luffing jib limiting devices;
C. Boom angle or radius indicator;
D. Jib angle indicator;
E. Boom length indicator;
F. Load weighing and similar devices.
Whenever there is a concern about safety, the designated equipment operator has the authority to stop and refuse to handle loads until the designated competent person has determined that the safety concern has been resolved.
Crane operator must be certified!
NCCCO card AND current medical examiner’s certificate.
Verify: ask for their card or get their name and confirm via certificate kept in office/trailer.
Signal Person Qualifications.
A. The designated competent person will obtain documentation from a third-party qualified evaluator showing that the signal person meets the qualification requirements before that signal person gives any signals to operators.
B. The designated competent person will ensure that the signaler qualification documentation is always available at the jobsite. The documentation will specify each type of signaling the signal person is qualified to perform.
C. Workers who do not meet the qualification requirements are not permitted to work as signal persons. This includes those who have signal person qualification credentials, but whose actions indicate that they are not performing signaling as required.
Rigger Qualifications.
A. The designated competent person will ensure that any worker being considered for designation as a qualified rigger has the knowledge, experience and expertise to serve in that capacity.
B. The designated competent person will ensure that the documentation used to help determine that a worker is a designated qualified rigger is always available at the jobsite. The documentation will specify the types of rigging that the rigger is qualified to perform.
C. Workers who do not meet the qualification requirements are not permitted to work as qualified riggers, including those who have qualified rigger credentials, but whose actions indicate that they are not performing rigging operations as required.
Ground Conditions.
The designated competent person will ensure that appropriate ground preparations have been provided before crane operations begin.
Crane should be level
Outrigger pads should be level as well
Assembly / Disassembly.
When assembling or disassembling equipment or attachments, affected workers will comply with all applicable manufacturer’s prohibitions.
All crane assembly and disassembly will be directed by the designated competent person and the designated qualified person.
Qualified person means a person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training and experience, successfully demonstrated the ability to solve/resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.
Crane swing radius around counterbalance is danger taped or barricaded
Barricades shall be, at a minimum, red DANGER tape.
Barricades must encompass the entire swing of the counterbalance even if it is elevated above head height.
The work zone will be identified by demarcating boundaries such as flag and range limiting devices, or defining the work zone as 360 degrees around the equipment up to the maximum working radius. The hazard assessment must determine if any part of the equipment could get closer than 20 feet to a power line.
If any part of the equipment will get closer than 20 feet from a power line pushing up to 1,000 kV during assembly, disassembly, or equipment operations,
the line will be de-energized and visibly grounded at the worksite OR
the appropriate table at 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC will be used to determine the minimum safe distance based on the line’s actual voltage.
When working near power lines pushing over 1,000 kV, the minimum clearance distance will be established by the utility owner/operator or a registered professional engineer who is a qualified person with respect to electrical power transmission and distribution. The designated qualified person will verify and obtain documentation regarding the established safe distance.
When traveling under or near power lines with no load, the boom, mast, and boom mast support system will be lowered sufficiently to meet the specified safe distance clearance requirements.