Cranes and

Crane Safety Awareness

1
The purpose of this class is to provide you with an overall
foundation of knowledge pertaining to Cranes and Crane
Safety.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to

identify types of cranes and their basic components,
recognize hazards associated with cranes and understand safe
operating practices based on guidelines established by OSHA.

2
 Objectives
• Describe maintenance, inspection and certification requirements of cranes
• Understand load capacities, limits and lifting principles
• Describe safe assembly/disassembly activities
• Understand hand signals
• Describe hazards and most common causes of crane accidents
• Recognize types of cranes, basic components as well as rigging equipment
• Summarize OSHA standards pertaining to cranes
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of lifting personnel

3
 Types of Cranes
• Mobile Telescopic • Overhead Traveling
• Crawler Lattice • Wall
• Side Lift • Gantry
• All Terrain • Semi-Gantry
• Truck Mounted • Cantilever
• Articulating • Straddle/Mobile Gantry
• Barge/Floating/Ship • Tower/Derrick Hammer Head
• Railroad • Stiff-leg Derrick
• Aerial/Helicopter

4
Most Common Types of
Cranes in Construction

5
Crawler Lattice

6 6
Wheel-Mounted Telescoping

7 7
Tower Crane

8 8
 OSHA Crane Standards
Construction - Cranes & Rigging
• 1926.1400-1442 - Cranes Subpart CC
• 1926.251 - Rigging equipment for material handling
Marine Terminals - Cargo Handling Gear and Equipment
• 1917.45 - Cranes and derricks (see also 1917.50)
• 1917.50 - Certification of marine terminal material handling devices
General Industry - 1910 Subpart N - Materials Handling and Storage
• 1910.179 - Overhead and gantry cranes
• 1910.180 - Crawler locomotive and truck cranes
• 1910.181 - Derricks
• 1910.183 - Helicopters
• 1910.184 - Slings

9
 Wind Speed Incorporated by DOE Reference?
DOE STANDARD, HOISTING AND RIGGING
(Formerly Hoisting and Rigging Manual)
DOE-STD-1090-99
9.5.1 Conduct of Operator
v. In the absence of crane manufacturer’s instructions regarding maximum wind speeds for
operation, operations undertaken at wind speeds in excess of 25 mph should be evaluated by a
qualified person to determine if the size, shape and weight of the load can be safely lifted.
15.5.2 Mobile Cranes/Boom Trucks
7. In the absence of crane manufacturer’s instructions regarding maximum wind speeds for
operation, operations undertaken at wind speeds in excess of 25 mph should be evaluated by a
qualified person to determine if the size, shape and weight of the load can be safely lifted.
4.1 General
22. Personnel platforms should not be used in winds greater than 15 mph (25 km/h), electric storms,
snow, ice, sleet, or other adverse weather conditions that could affect the safety of personnel.

10 10
 Operator Qualification Certification 1427 & 1428
Should have taken effect November 10, 2014 but will now go into effect November 10, 2017.

Option Description Portable Valid

1 Certification by an accredited crane operator Y 5

testing organization
2 Qualification by an audited employer program N 5
Developed by an accredited crane operator
testing organization or Approved by an auditor
in accordance with CFR.
3 Qualification by the U.S. military N Infinity
4 Licensing by a government entity N 5 or less

11 11
Feb. 7, 2014
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999
OSHA issues proposed rule to extend compliance date for crane operator
certification requirements
WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration today issued a proposed rule to extend the compliance date
for the crane operator certification requirement by three years to Nov. 10, 2017. The proposal would also extend to the same
date the existing phase-in requirement that employers ensure that their operators are qualified to operate the equipment.
OSHA issued a final standard on requirements for cranes and derricks in construction work on Aug. 9, 2010. The standard
requires crane operators on construction sites to meet one of four qualification/certification options by Nov. 10, 2014. After
OSHA issued the standard, a number of parties raised concerns about the qualification/certification requirements. After
conducting several public meetings, OSHA decided to extend the enforcement date so that the certification requirements do not
take effect during potential rulemaking or cause disruption to the construction industry.
Comments may submitted electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal or by facsimile or mail.
See the Federal Register notice for submission details and additional information about this proposed rule. Comments must be
submitted by March 12, 2014.
OSHA held three stakeholder meetings on operator certification/qualification issues in April 2013 and posted detailed notes of
the meetings at http://www.osha.gov/cranes-derricks/stakeholders.html, a Web page devoted to the stakeholder meeting. A list
of frequently asked questions are also posted on OSHA's Cranes and Derricks in Construction Web page to provide additional
clarification and address some comments and concerns raised by stakeholders.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces
for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing
standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

12 12
 Definitions
• Crane – Consists of a rotating structure for lifting and lowering
horizontally on rubber tires or crawler treads
• Hoist – Used to lift and lower load
• Boom – An inclined spar, strut, or other long member supporting the
hoisting tackle
• Boom stops – A device used to limit the angle of the boom at its highest
position
• Brake – To slow or stop motion by friction or power
• Block – Sheaves or grooved pulleys in a frame with hook, eye and strap
• Jib – Extension attached to the boom point to provide added boom length
for lifting specified loads

13 13
Crane
Parts

14 14
 OSHA Competent Person vs. Qualified Person
• This is in response to your memorandum of January 28, on the above subject.
• 29 CFR 1926.32(f) states: "Competent person" means on 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.
• 29 CFR 1926.32(l) states: "Qualified" means one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or profess-
ional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training and experience, has successfully demonstrated his ability to
solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.
• These definitions provide that a competent person must have authority to take prompt measures to eliminate
hazards at the work site and have the experience to be capable of identifying these hazards. This is the reason a
competent person is required under inspection requirements in 29 CFR 1926.650 and 29 CFR 1926.651.
• The definitions provide that a qualified person must have a recognized degree, certificate, etc., or extensive
experience and ability to solve the subject problems, at the worksite. This is the reason why 29 CFR 1926.651(f)
requires that supporting systems design shall be by a qualified person. There may be a requirement for more
technical or engineering knowledge here.
• Each excavation job as in any other case, must be evaluated as to the facts relating to the needs of a competent
person, and qualified person.
• The professional judgment of OSHA must come into play by using our construction regulations where they apply
• Please advise if we can be of further assistance.

15 15
 Qualified Operator
Who needs to be certified or qualified?
Any person engaged in a construction activity who is operating a crane
covered by the new cranes and derricks rule, except:
• Sideboom cranes
• Derricks
• Equipment with a rated hoisting/lifting capacity of 2,000 pounds or less

Operators of listed equipment must meet the criteria for minimum expertise
described in the applicable section in subpart CC 1926.1427
* A Certified Operator is currently recommended and expected to be required on
November 10, 2017.

16
 Qualified Operator
When is a qualified rigger required?

Employers must use qualified riggers during hoisting

activities for assembly and disassembly work
(1926.1404(r)(1)). Additionally, qualified riggers are required
whenever workers are within the fall zone and hooking,
unhooking, or guiding a load, or doing the initial connection
of a load to a component or structure (1926.1425(c)).

17
 Qualified Signal Person
When is a signal person required?

A signal person is required when: The point of operation is

not in full view of the operator (1926.1419(a)), the
operator’s view is obstructed in the direction the equipment
is traveling, or either the operator or the person handling
the load determines that a signal person is needed because
of site-specific safety concerns.

18
 Subpart CC – Cranes and Derricks in
Construction: Assembly/Disassembly
Employers must comply with all manufacturer prohibitions regarding assembly
and disassembly.
The OSHA standard generally allows employers to choose between the
manufacturer’s procedures or their own, any the most stringent must be
followed.
Employer procedures must be developed by a “qualified person” and must
satisfy a number of specified requirements, such as providing adequate
support and stability for all parts of the equipment, and positioning employees
involved to minimize exposure to any unintended movement or collapse.

19
 Assembly/Disassembly Responsibilities
• The rule requires the work to be directed by an Assembly/Disassembly
(A/D) director. The A/D director must meet the criteria for both a
“competent person” and a “qualified person,” which are terms defined in
this rule, or must be a “competent person” assisted by a “qualified person.”
• The A/D director must understand the applicable procedures.
• The A/D director must review the procedures immediately prior to
beginning work unless he or she understands the procedures and has used
them before for that equipment type and configuration.
• The A/D director must ensure that each member of the crew understands
his or her tasks, the hazards of the tasks, and any hazardous positions or
locations to avoid.

20
Assembly/Disassembly Responsibilities (cont.)
• The A/D director must verify all capacities of any equipment used,
including rigging, lifting lugs, etc.
• The A/D director must also address hazards associated with the
operation, including 12 specified areas of concern:
• Site and ground conditions • Stability upon pin removal
• Blocking material • Snagging
• Proper location of blocking • Struck by counterweights
• Verifying assist crane loads • Boom hoist brake failure
• Boom & jib pick points • Loss of backward stability
• Center of gravity • Wind speed and weather
• Stability upon pin removal

21
 A/D General Requirements
• A crew member who moves out of the operator’s view to a location where the
crew member could be injured by movement of the equipment (or load) MUST
inform the operator before going to that location. The operator must not move
the equipment until that crew member informs the operator that he or she
has relocated to a safe position.

• Employees must never be under the boom or jib when pins (or similar devices)
are being removed, unless it is required by site constraints and the A/D
director has implemented procedures that minimize the risk of unintended
movement and the duration and extent of exposure under the boom.

22
 A/D General Requirements (cont.)
• Component weights must be readily available for all components to
be assembled.
• All rigging must be done by a “qualified rigger.”
• Pins may not be removed during disassembly when the pendants
are in tension.
• Booms supported only by cantilevering must not exceed
manufacturer limitations or RPE (Registered Professional Engineer)
limitations, as applicable.
• Component selection and equipment configuration that affects the
capacity or safe operation of the equipment must be in accordance
with manufacturer requirements and limits or RPE requirements and
limits, as applicable.

23
 A/D Outriggers and Stabilizers
When outriggers or stabilizers are used or are necessary in light of the load to be
handled and the operating radius:
• Outriggers and stabilizers must be fully extended or, if permitted by manufacturer
procedures, deployed is specified in the load chart.
• Outriggers must be set to remove equipment weight from the wheels, except for
locomotive cranes.
• Outrigger floats, if used, must be attached to the outriggers; stabilizer floats, if
used, must be attached to the stabilizers.
• Each outrigger or stabilizer must be visible to the operator or to a signal person
during extension and setting.
• Outrigger and stabilizer blocking must be placed under the float/pad of the jack or,
if there is no jack, under the outer bearing surface of the outrigger or stabilizer
beam. Blocking must also be sufficient to sustain the loads and maintain stability
and must be properly placed.

24
 Crane Hazards
• Contact with power lines
• Overturns
• Falls
• Mechanical failures
• Moving parts
• Improper load rating
• Excessive speeds
• No hand signals
• Inadequate inspection and maintenance

25 25
Crane Hazards (cont.)
• Unguarded parts
• Unguarded swing radius
• Working too close to power lines
• Improper exhaust system
• Shattered windows
• No steps/guardrails walkways
• No boom angle indicator
• Not using outriggers

26 26
 OSHA-Identified Crane Hazards
OSHA's analysis identified the major causes of crane accidents to include:
• Boom or crane contact with energized power lines (nearly 45% of the cases)
• Under the hook lifting device
• Overturned cranes
• Dropped loads
• Boom collapse
• Crushing by the counter weight
• Outrigger use
• Falls
• Rigging failures

27
Who is at Risk?

• Operators
• Persons at Crane Site

28 28
 Power Lines
The greatest risk for cranes is contacting power lines.

29 29
Stay clear from power lines
at least 10 feet under 50kv.
Power Lines
If the voltage of the power
lines is unknown, stay at
least 20 feet away or more
and immediately contact
your employer so that they
may contact the utility
provider to determine
voltage of the power lines.
Warning: Power lines can
carry 50kv, 250kv, 350kv,
500kv or more. The higher
the kv the greater the risk of
arcing and employee injury
and property damage.

30 30
 Improper Load

Improper loads or speeds can result

in the tipping of the crane.

31 31
Improper Load

32 32
Improper Load

33 33
 Guard Moving Parts

Unguarded
Chain Drive

Guard moving parts such as gears or belts.

34 34
 Swing Radius

Stay out of the swing radius of the crane –

make sure there are barrier guards showing swing radius.

35 35
Operator Visibility
Broken
Window

Make sure broken

windows or other
obstructions do not
prevent the operator
from seeing.

36 36
 Ladders

Ladder

Use ladders to get to the upper portion of the cab.

37 37
 Guardrails

Runways and
steps need to have
guardrails,
handholds and slip
resistant surfaces.

38 38
 Planning Before Start-Up

• Level the crane and ensure support surface is firm and able to support the load.
• Contact power line owners and determine precautions. Know the location and
voltage of overhead power lines.
• Know the basic crane capacities, limitations, and job site restrictions, such as
the location of power lines, unstable soil, or high winds.
• Make other personnel aware of hoisting activities.
• Barricade areas within swing radius.
• Ensure proper maintenance and inspections.
• Determine safe areas to store materials and place machinery.

39 39
Suspended Loads

Don’t stand under

suspended loads.

40 40
Common Reasons Accidents Occur
• Instability – unsecured load, load capacity exceeded, or
ground not level or too soft
• Lack of communication – the point of operation is a distance
from the crane operator or not in full view of the operator
• Lack of training – inadequate maintenance or inspection

41 41
Competent Person

The competent person must

inspect all machinery and
equipment prior to each use,
and during use, to make sure it
is in safe operating condition.
If it needs fixing, take it out of
service and don’t use it until it
is fixed.
Broken Track

42 42
 Load Capacity - Speed - Warnings

• Make sure the crane

operator can see the:
• Rated Load Capacities
• Operating Speeds
• Special Hazard
Warning or Instruction

Load Rating Chart

43 43
 Boom Angle Indicator

A boom angle indicator must be on the crane

44 44
 Know the Weight of the Load
• Refer to shipping ticket or other documentation
• Ensure lift calculations are correct
• Ensure load is within load chart rating for boom length and
load radius of crane
• Crane is rated by the maximum weight it will lift at a
minimum radius and minimum boom length – the further
from its centerpoint, the less it will lift

45 45
 Load-Limiting Factors
• Not level
• Wind
• Side loads
• On its wheels
• Lifting over the side
• Use of extensions, jibs and other attachments
• Limits of wire rope, slings and lifting devices

46 46
Mobile Cranes – Lifting Principles

• Center of gravity
• Leverage
• Stability
• Structural integrity

47 47
 Load Example – 30 Ton Crane

• Will lift 60,000 pounds at 10 feet from the

center pin of the crane
• Based on level surface, no wind, and outriggers
fully extended
• At 25 feet from the center pin with an 80 foot
boom, the capacity is only 14,950 pounds
• At 74 feet from the center pin, the capacity is
only 4,800 pounds

48 48
Communication is Key

49
Hand Signals

50
 Standard and Alternative Signals

Hand signal charts must be either posted on the equipment or

conspicuously posted in the vicinity of the hoisting operations.
When using non-standard hand signals, the signal person, operator, and
lift director (where there is one) must contact each other prior to the
operation and agree on the non-standard hand signals that will be used.
Hand signal charts must be either posted on the equipment or
conspicuously posted in the vicinity of the hoisting operation.

51
Maintenance, Inspection and
Crane Certification

52
 Inspections - Each Shift

A competent person must begin a visual inspection prior to

each shift the equipment will be used.

The inspection must consist of observation for apparent deficiencies.

Taking apart equipment components and booming down is not required
as part of this inspection unless the results of the visual inspection or trial
operation indicate that further investigation is necessary. Determinations
made in the inspection must be reassessed in light of observations made
during operation. At a minimum the inspection must include all of the
following:

53
• Control mechanisms for maladjustments interfering with proper operation.
Control and drive mechanisms for apparent excessive wear of components
and contamination by lubricants, water or other foreign matter.
• Air, hydraulic, and other pressurized lines for deterioration or leakage,
particularly those which flex in normal operation.
• Hydraulic system for proper fluid level.
• Hooks and latches for deformation, cracks, excessive wear, or damage
such as from chemicals or heat.
• Wire rope reeving for compliance with the manufacturer's specifications.
• Wire rope, in accordance with §1926.1413(a).
• Electrical apparatus for malfunctioning, signs of apparent excessive
deterioration, dirt or moisture accumulation.

54
• Tires (when in use) for proper inflation and condition.
• Ground conditions around the equipment for proper support, including
ground settling under and around outriggers/stabilizers and supporting
foundations, ground water accumulation, or similar conditions.
• The equipment for level position within the tolerances specified by the
equipment manufacturer's recommendations, both before each shift and
after each move and setup.
• Operator cab windows for significant cracks, breaks, or other deficiencies
that would hamper the operator's view.
• Rails, rail stops, rail clamps and supporting surfaces when the equipment
has rail traveling.
• Safety devices and operational aids for proper operation.

55
 Monthly Inspections
Each month the equipment is in service it must be inspected and
records must be kept for at least 3 months.

Annual/Comprehensive Inspections
At least every 12 months the equipment must be inspected by a
qualified person in accordance with 1926.1412(f).

56
 Review
• Is anyone allowed to operate a crane?

• MUST a crew member inform the operator before going to that

location behind a crane or blind spot?

• Is the greatest risk for cranes coming into contacting power lines?

• When should crane be inspected?

57
 Review
• Is anyone allowed to operate a crane?
No, only qualified operators.

• MUST a crew member inform the operator before going to that

location behind a crane or blind spot?
Yes, always.

• Is the greatest risk for cranes coming into contacting power lines?
Yes, and being struck by a crane or falling load are also great risks.

• When should crane be inspected?

At the beginning of every shift, monthly and annually.

58