OSHA Standards for Lifting Devices

The U.S. Department of Labor created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in order to create standards for employers that would guarantee certain healthy, working conditions. Some of those standards apply to the devices employees are required to use to lift heavy objects in a way that prevents injury or death. Any machine or equipment used when transporting, moving or or lifting objects are regulated by OSHA and includes derricks, cranes and hoists.

Function

• Using the right type of lifting device--and knowing how to use it properly--is the main function of OSHA's guidelines for lifting devices and are regulated to prevent injury or death while on the job. According to an OSHA activity summary, lifting devices should be well-designed devices that are regularly maintained and employees should be trained in their proper use.

  A derrick is a mechanism with a mast held by guys or braces that's used with a hoisting mechanism to lift objects. There are a variety of industrial cranes that use a hoisting component to lift, lower and move goods horizontally.

Warning

• There are a number of circumstances when a crane or other lifting device's operation can harm, both because of equipment malfunction and operation error. When a crane becomes unbalanced while a load is being lifted or if a crane collapses under an excessive load, the load or the machine itself can pose a danger to both the crane operator and anyone nearby.

Prevention/Solution

• OSHA requirements are designed to prevent occupational danger through the use of lifting devices and to provide ways to make the use of those devices safer.

  For instance, all manufacturers that build equipment used for lifting objects must meet the American National Standard Safety Code to make sure they meet minimum safety requirements. The approved rated load must be marked on any lifting equipment (or on each individual hoist) to prevent confusion over what a safe load is for the vehicle. A minimum clearance (3 inches above and 2 inches laterally) is required when transporting a load. The cab itself needs a clearance of 3 inches between it and any obstructions to prevent anything from interfering with its path.

Considerations

• When used in general industry, load handling fixtures (such as lifting beams) on cranes and other lifting devices are considered part of the load, even if they are pinned to the load block and raised. Because of OSHA's standards for overhead and gantry cranes, section 1910.179(n)(3)(vi), "The employer shall require that the operator avoid carrying loads over people." This means that even a crane that wasn't carrying a separate load but did have loading fixtures on it wouldn't be able to be hoisted or transported over other people.

Potential

• Employers and businesses that don't adhere to OSHA standards could face fines and other penalties. However, the Department of Labor offers employers help in meeting the federal regulations through its compliance assistance program.

  There is even a free on-site consultation available that can allow employers to become aware of any potential hazards at their work sites, improve occupational safety for their employees and find out if there's any OSHA regulations that apply to the workplace that aren't being addressed. Businesses that take advantage of the free OSHA consultation could qualify for a one-year exemption from routine compliance inspections.