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Health Safety Codes and Standards for Lifting Equipment

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration has developed standards to help ensure safe working conditions. Some of these standards apply to heavy lifting equipment such as cranes, derricks and hoists.

  1. Load

    • Operators of lifting equipment must adhere to maximum load warnings to avoid potential danger if the machine becomes imbalanced or if safety mechanisms fail from overweight. Companies must clearly post load limits.

    Placement and Maintenance

    • Heavy lifting equipment must be located as per OSHA standards regarding overall clearance, ease of entering/exiting the cab, availability of emergency controls and safety concerns for those who might be walking below. All such equipment must be inspected and kept in good repair, including electrical systems, ropes and hooks.

    Operators

    • Operators of heavy lifting equipment must be certified through an accredited crane operating organization, the U.S. military, an approved employer problem or a state/local government program that follows OSHA requirements.

    Other Requirements

    • Twenty-five states including California and New York have set their own standards for lifting equipment. Check with your state OSHA office to see if there are other guidelines you must adhere to.

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