Safe Work Practices
Each employee needs to be instructed in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury. This includes but is not limited to:
- Cranes must be operated only by qualified and trained personnel.
- A designated competent person must inspect the crane and all crane controls before use.
- Be sure the crane is on a firm/stable surface and level.
- During assembly/disassembly do not unlock or remove pins unless sections are blocked and stable.
- Fully extend outriggers and barricade accessible areas inside the crane’s swing radius.
- Watch for overhead electric power lines and maintain at least a 10-foot safe working clearance from the lines.
- Inspect all rigging before use; do not wrap hoist lines around the load.
- Use the correct load chart for the crane’s current configuration and setup, the load weight, and lift path.
- Do not exceed the load chart capacity while making lifts.
- Raise load a few inches, hold, verify capacity/balance, and test brake system before delivering load.
- Do not move loads over workers.
- Be sure to follow signals and manufacturer’s instructions while operating cranes.
Signal Persons
Each signal person must:
- Know and understand the type of signals used.
- If hand signals are used, the signal person must know and understand the Standard Method for hand signals.
- Be competent in the application of the type of signals used.
- Have a basic understanding of equipment operation and limitations, including the crane dynamics involved in swinging and stopping loads and boom deflection from hoisting loads.
- Demonstrate understanding by meeting an oral or written test and a practical test.
Operators
Each operator must be trained, certified/licensed, and evaluated before operating any cranes and derricks. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Manufacturer's emergency procedures for halting unintended equipment movement.
- Knows the information necessary for safe operation of the specific type of equipment the individual will operate such as:
- Controls and operational characteristics.
- Use of, and the ability to calculate (manually or with a calculator), load/capacity information on a variety of configurations of the equipment.
- Procedures for preventing and responding to power line contact.
- Technical knowledge of the subject matter criteria listed in appendix C that is applicable to the specific type of equipment the individual will operate.
- Technical knowledge applicable to the suitability of the supporting ground and surface to handle expected loads, site hazards, and site access.
- Ability to recognize, from visual and auditory observation, any deficiencies based on inspection criteria.
- Have operational and maneuvering skills.
- Be able to apply safe shut-down and securing procedures.
- Be able to apply load chart information.