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Operation-Specific Sheets
Crane Use |
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Activity Description
- This activity sheet is for crane operators and their supervisors. It advises operators and associated response and recovery workers on steps they can take to protect themselves (and others) from hazards likely to be encountered during crane operation. This sheet should be used in conjunction with the activity sheet for the particular activity in which the heavy equipment is being used (e.g., building demolition, bridge repair).
- As a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita’s (2005) high winds and floodwaters, many structures are unsound and in need of demolition or repair. To help restore the affected communities, many cranes will be used to demolish buildings and transfer materials or debris.
- Crane operators must be familiar with the equipment they are operating. Additionally, operators of cranes should refer to the Heavy Equipment and Powered Industrial Truck Use activity sheet and the Work Zone Safety and Traffic Control within a Work Area activity sheet for additional general recommendations (establishing and marking work zones, use of spotters, the need for backup alarms), which apply to all heavy equipment.
- Response and recovery workers conducting this operation may be employed by Federal, State, local, and private employers. Review How to Use This Matrix in the introduction for a discussion of how this information may apply to different employees.
About the Activity Sheet
This activity sheet does not provide an in-depth analysis of OSHA standards and regulations and cannot address all hazards. It does not increase or diminish any OSHA requirement or employer obligation under those requirements. It is intended as a guide and quick reference for employers and response and recovery workers. The Matrix captures major activities involved in hurricane response and recovery, highlights many of the hazards associated with them, and recommends beneficial work practices, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other exposure control methods. Employers must evaluate the specific hazards associated with the job/operation at the site where the work is being performed.
Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.
The Hazard Exposure and Risk Assessment Matrix for Hurricane Response and Recovery Work provides a general overview of particular topics related to current OSHA standards. It does not alter or determine compliance responsibilities in OSHA standards or the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, or the equivalent State Plan standards and requirements. Because interpretations and enforcement policy may change over time, you should consult current OSHA/State Plan administrative interpretations and decisions by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and the courts for additional guidance on OSHA compliance requirements. Employers should modify their procedures as appropriate when additional, relevant information becomes available.
General Recommendations
Key Engineering Controls and Work
Practices. See general
recommendations document.
Personal Protective Equipment. The general PPE is recommended for
all response/recovery tasks/operations; only the additional
PPE that may be needed for a specific hazard is noted below.
General PPE includes:
- Hard hat for overhead impact or electrical hazards
- Eye protection with side shields
- Gloves chosen for job hazards expected (e.g.,
heavy-duty leather work gloves for handling debris with sharp edges
and/or chemical protective gloves appropriate for chemicals potentially
contacted)
- ANSI-approved protective footwear
- Respiratory protection as necessary—N,
R, or P95, filtering facepieces may be used for nuisance dusts
(e.g., dried mud, dirt and silt) and mold (except mold remediation).
Filters with a charcoal layer may be used for odors.
Recommendations Specific to Hazards Associated with This Activity
GENERAL CRANE OPERATIONS
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
- Ensure that a competent person inspects all machinery
and equipment before and during each use, to confirm that it
is in a safe operating condition. A competent person is
able to recognize existing and predictable hazardous conditions
and has the authority to take prompt corrective measures
to eliminate the hazardous conditions
- If observed during an inspection, ensure that deficiencies
are repaired and defective parts are replaced before machinery
and equipment is used
- Post any recommended operating speed, rated load
capacities, or other instructions near the operator
- Position cranes on firm and level surfaces; use outriggers
as needed
- Consult the crane load chart and do not exceed the
rated capacity of the crane and rigging for the planned lift
- Use the hand signals prescribed by ANSI for the type
of crane being used; post an illustration of the signals at the
job site
- Ensure that the pathway is clear before executing
a lift
- Maintain at minimum a 10-foot working clearance from
power lines rated at 50 kV or less; increase this clearance by
0.4 inches for each 1 kV above 50 kV; where it is difficult for
the operator to maintain the desired clearance by visual means,
designate a person to observe clearance of the equipment and
give timely warning for all operations
- Ensure that reciprocating, rotating, or other moving
parts or equipment are guarded if capable of being contacted
by employees
- Do not make any additions or modifications to the
crane without written approval from the manufacturer
- When a mobile crane is mounted on a barge, ensure
that the rated load of the crane is not exceeded, a loading chart
is provided, and that the crane is positively secured
- Ensure that floating cranes and derricks used for
wet debris removal meet the applicable design, construction,
installation, testing, maintenance, and operation requirements
set by the manufacturer
CABLE WEAR
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
- Ensure that the cables of the crane were inspected
within the past year by a competent person
- Take wire rope out of service when any of the following
conditions exist:
- In running ropes, six randomly distributed broken
wires in one lay or three broken wires in one strand in one lay
- Wear of one-third the original diameter of outside
individual wires
- Kinking, crushing, bird caging, or any other damage
resulting in distortion of the rope structure
- Evidence of any heat damage from any cause
- In standing ropes, more than two broken wires in
one lay in sections beyond end connections or more than one broken
wire at an end connection
RIGGING EQUIPMENT
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
- Inspect rigging equipment for material handling prior
to use on each shift and as necessary during its use to confirm
that it is safe; ensure defective rigging equipment is removed
from service
- Ensure that rigging equipment is not loaded in excess
of its recommended safe working load
- Ensure that rigging equipment, when not in use, is
removed from the immediate work area so as not to present a hazard
to employees
- Ensure that lifting accessories are marked to indicate
the safe working loads and are proof-tested prior to use to 125
percent of their rated load
- Ensure that rigging equipment is not shortened with
knots or bolts or other makeshift devices
- Pad or protect rigging equipment from the sharp edges
of their loads
- Ensure that rigging equipment is not shock loaded
LIFTING EMPLOYEES USING CRANES
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
- Do not use cranes to hoist employees on a personnel
platform, except when the erection, use, and dismantling of conventional
means of reaching the worksite (e.g., personnel hoist, ladder,
stairway, aerial lift, elevating work platform, or scaffold)
would be more hazardous or is not possible because of structural
design or worksite conditions
- Ensure that any hoisting of a personnel platform
is performed in a slow, controlled, cautious manner
- Hold a meeting with the crane operator, signal person(s)
(if necessary for the lift), employee(s) to be lifted, and the
person responsible for the task and make sure that all the personnel-lifting
requirements have been met prior to the trial lift at each new
work location. Have a similar meeting for any employees newly-assigned
to the operation
- Before personnel are lifted, conduct a trial lift
with an unoccupied, equivalently loaded platform
- Ensure that the total weight of a loaded personnel
platform and the related rigging do not exceed 50 percent of
the rated capacity for the radius and configuration of the crane
- Ensure the platform is not loaded in excess of its
rated load capacity
- Ensure that employees keep all parts of the body
inside the platform during raising, lowering, and positioning
- Ensure that all eyes in wire rope slings are fabricated
with thimbles
- When a wire rope bridle is used to connect the personnel
platform to the load line, ensure that each bridle leg is connected
to a master link or shackle in such a manner as to ensure that
the load is evenly divided among the bridle legs
- Ensure that employees are not hoisted unless the
hoist ropes are free of kinks, multiple part lines are not twisted
around each other, the primary attachment is centered over the
platform, and the hoisting system has been inspected to ensure
that all ropes are properly stated on drums and in sheaves
Additional Personal Protective Equipment
- Personal fall arrest system including harnesses, lanyards, lifelines, connectors, anchorages, and anchor points (as needed)
WORK ZONE SAFETY
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
Additional Personal Protective Equipment
- ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 compliant high visibility safety apparel and headwear
GENERAL HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATION
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
Additional Personal Protective Equipment
- Hearing protection when working around potential
noise sources and when noise levels exceed 90dBA. A useful “rule
of thumb”—if you cannot hold a conversation in a
normal speaking voice with a person who is standing at arms length
(approximately 3 feet), the noise level may exceed 90 dBA
DISCOVERY OF UNKNOWN CHEMICALS
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
- If hazardous chemical containers are found or leaking
materials are detected:
- Do not use spark-producing devices (e.g., engines,
tools, electronic, and communications equipment) in the immediate
area
- Take self-protective measures (i.e., move to a safe
distance upwind) and contact hazardous material response personnel
for evaluation/removal before continuing work in the area
Additional Personal Protective Equipment
- Evaluate the need to revise protective clothing,
respirator, and glove selection
OTHER POTENTIAL HAZARDS
- Select any of the following potential hazards that can be associated with this activity in order to access relevant recommendations in the general recommendations document:
- Environmental hazards
Additional Medical Needs
Additional Training Needs
Related Activity Sheets
Other Resources and References
- 29 CFR 1926.550, Cranes and derricks. OSHA.
- 29 CFR 1926.251, Rigging equipment for material handling. OSHA.
- Crane Safety. OSHA Quick Card, (2005), 23 KB PDF, 1 page.
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