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OSHA Requirements for Hoist Cranes

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has outlined requirements for the operation of hoist cranes. All cranes, whether they are mobile, overhead, tower or hoisting devices, have similar requirements outlined in the OSHA regulations. The OSHA regulations that pertain to hoisting cranes are determined by the type of crane being operated.

  1. Load Requirements

    • Each manufacturer of hoisting cranes, no matter what type, have maximum load limits. Hoisting cranes can be purchased in load limits of 100 pounds to 500 tons. The load limits are determined by the manufacturer and cannot be exceeded by the operator. This means the operator must know the weight of the load being lifted. An operator who thinks that the weight of the load may exceed the capacity of the hoist crane can use a scale attachment to help determine whether the load will exceed the capacity of the hoist.

    Movement Requirements

    • Hoist cranes must move freely during operation. This means that there can be no obstruction near the load or the moving parts of the hoist crane. Once the load is lifted into the air, the operator must also determine whether there are any obstructions that could affect the hoist crane or load as it moves to its destination. All cranes have safety stops installed on the vertical and horizontal movements of the hoisting crane.

    Operator Requirements

    • The operator of the hoisting crane must be trained in the operation, inspection and maintenance of the hoist before, during and after operation. Along with training, OSHA requires that the hoisting crane must allow the operator to work safely away from the load. This can be accomplished with remote controlled hoisting devices or power controls that can be operated a distance away from the load.

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