OSHA Crane Safety

Cranes come in a wide range of sizes and types, with various attachments for use in industries of all types. Improper use of cranes can result in serious injury or death.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the American National Safety Institute (ANSI), have regulations and guidelines with which crane operation and safety training must comply.

Safe Operating for Operators

• A crane operator must undergo training before performing a job. The purpose, function, and proper use of cranes, as well as safe practices should be covered.

  Perform a pre-operation inspection to assure that warning devices and signals are in working order, as well as brake systems and hoists. Frequent inspections are also necessary when cranes are exposed to adverse conditions. You must report unsafe issues and correct them before using a crane.

  Crane operators must know the regulations that prohibit unsafe practices. Riders on hooks or loads, unauthorized persons operating the crane, and hoisting loads over---or close to---workers are all prohibited.

  An operator must watch the signaler, as well as the load.

Safe Operating for Signalers

• Signalers should know all safety regulations pertaining to cranes and the work that is being performed.

  Regulations for signalers include ensuring safe operation of the crane; allowing only one person to be the signaler, being sure the operator acknowledges every signal, and maintaining sight with the crane operator. Signalers are to stop the operation at once if communication with the crane operator is lost.

Leaving or Parking Cranes

• Operators have responsibilities when parking cranes.

  When parking and leaving a crane, regulations require that safe practices be observed. Operators should check for any present dangers, raise hooks, and make sure all controls and the main power switch are turned off. An operator should report to his supervisor when turning off a crane's power and parking the crane for any period of time.

Loads on a Crane

• Crane safety training mandates that a crane operator follow safe practices when lifting and moving loads of materials or objects. Load weights must be determined before lifting, and must be within the crane's safe load capacity. Sling loads (untensioned loads) raise safety concerns of swinging out of control and hitting objects or people. The operator and signaler should warn any other personnel in the area who could be injured that the load is an untensioned load.

Personal Protective Equipment

• Job hazards will dictate the type of personal protective equipment (PPE) that is needed for a particular crane project. All protective clothing and equipment should be specific and appropriate for the job and the potential hazards.

  Workers should ensure that all PPE is clean and functional.

Crane Inspections

• Inspections of cranes should be carried out by a department manager, the company's safety officer, or the supervisor in charge of the job to be performed.

  Inspections should be performed before a crane is used each day. Periodic and scheduled inspections are also mandated by OSHA.

  Documentation of all crane inspections must be up-to-date, and kept in a designated place.