Raymond Blanco

FSE / DOLE OSH Practitioner

CRANE SAFETY
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HEALTH SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT
 Crane Accident

HSE International Consultancy

HEALTH SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT
 Crane Accident

HSE International Consultancy

HEALTH SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT
 Crane Accident

HSE International Consultancy

HEALTH SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT
 Crane Accident

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HEALTH SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT
 Crane Accident

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HEALTH SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT
 Crane Accident

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HEALTH SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT
 Crane Accident Statistics
• A total of 323 construction worker deaths involving 307 crane incidents
were identified from 1992-2006
• an average of 22 construction worker deaths per year.
• There were 12 multiple-death incidents in this time period, resulting in a
total of 28 deaths.
• Four main types of cranes have been associated with crane-related
fatalities.
• Of the 307 fatal crane incidents, 216 (71%) involved mobile or truck cranes.
• Sixteen of the fatal incidents involved tower cranes (5%)
• 13 involved floating or barge cranes (4%)
• involved overhead cranes (4%).
• The remaining 66 reports were not sufficiently detailed to determine the
type of crane involved or do not meet BLS publication requirements.

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 Cause of Deaths
• Of the total 323 crane-related deaths, 102 were caused by overhead
power line
• electrocutions (32%), 68 deaths were associated with crane collapses
(21%)
• 59 deaths involved a construction worker being struck by a crane boom/jib
(18%).

Half of all electrocutions, the leading cause of death, were associated with
the crane boom or a crane cable contacting an overhead power line. The rest
involved contact of an overhead power line with unspecified parts of the
crane. Mobile cranes were involved in 80 of the 95 overhead power line fatal
incidents. Table 3 describes worker activities leading to electrocutions. Those
activities involved workers on foot touching or guiding

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 Major Causes of Crane Accidents
• Contact with power lines

• Overturns

• Falls

• Mechanical failures
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 How Do Accidents Occur?
• Instability – unsecured load, load capacity
exceeded, or ground not level or too soft
• Lack of communication - the point of
operation is a distance from the crane
operator or not in full view of the operator
• Lack of training
• Inadequate maintenance or inspection
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 Who is at Risk
• Operator
• Riggers
• Supervisors
• Other work Force
• Other Establishments
• General Public
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HEALTH SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT
 Definitions
• Crane – Consists of a rotating structure for lifting and
lowering horizontally on rubber tires or crawler treads
• Hoist - Used to lift and lower load.
• Boom – An inclined spar, strut, or other long member
supporting the hoisting tackle
• Boom stops – A device used to limit the angle of the
boom at its highest position
• Brake – To slow or stop motion by friction or power
• Block – Sheaves or grooved pulleys in a frame with hook,
eye and strap
• Jib – Extension attached to the boom point to provide
added boom length for lifting specified loads.
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 Crane Parts

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Types of Cranes
• Vehicle Mounted • Rough Terrain Crane
Crane • Crawler Crane
• Floating Crane • All Terrain Crane
• Aerial Crane • Railroad Crane
• Telescopic Crane • Telescopic Handler
• Level Luffing Cranes Crane
• Tower Crane • Harbor Cranes
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 Crane Hazards
• Improper load rating • Working too close to
• Excessive speeds power lines
• No hand signals • Improper exhaust
• Inadequate inspection system
and maintenance • Shattered windows
• Unguarded parts • No steps/guardrails
• Unguarded swing radius walkways
• Operator By Passing of • No boom angle
Safety Alarms indicator
• Not using outriggers
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 Planning Before Start-Up
• Level the crane and ensure support surface is firm and able to
support the load
• Contact power line owners and determine precautions. Know
the location and voltage of overhead power lines.
• Know the basic crane capacities, limitations, and job site
restrictions, such as the location of power lines, unstable soil, or
high winds.
• Make other personnel aware of hoisting activities.
• Barricade areas within swing radius.
• Ensure proper maintenance and inspections.
• Determine safe areas to store materials and place machinery.
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 Competent Person
The competent person must
inspect all machinery and
equipment prior to each use,
and during use, to make sure
it is in safe operating
condition.

If it needs fixing, take it out of Broken

service and don’t use it until it Track
is fixed

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 Load Capacity - Speed - Warnings
• Make sure the crane
operator can see the:
– Rated Load Capacities
– Operating Speeds
– Special Hazard
Warning or Instruction

Load Chart
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 Know the Weight of the Load
• Refer to shipping ticket or other documentation
• Ensure lift calculations are correct
• Ensure load is within load chart rating for boom
length and load radius of crane
• Crane is rated by the maximum weight it will lift at a
minimum radius and minimum boom length – the
further from its center point, the less it will lift

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 Load Limiting Factors
• Not level
• Wind Speed (14 meter/ sec or 30 miles/hr)
• Side loads
• On its wheels
• Lifting over the side
• Use of extensions, jibs and other attachments
• Limits of wire rope, slings and lifting devices

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 Power Lines

Stay clear from

power lines at
least 10 feet

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HEALTH SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT
 Hand Signals

An illustration of
the signals must
be posted at the
job site

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 Guard Moving Parts

Unguarded
Chain Drive

Guard moving parts such as gears or belts

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 Swing Radius

Stay out of the swing radius of the crane – Make sure there are
barrier guards showing swing radius
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 Operator Visibility

Broken Window

Make sure broken windows or other obstructions do not

prevent the operator from seeing
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 Ladders

Ladder

Use ladders to get to the upper portion of the cab

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 Guardrails

Runways and steps need to have guardrails,

handholds and slip resistant surfaces
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 Suspended Loads

Don’t stand under suspended loads

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 Boom Angle Indicator

A boom angle indicator must be on the crane

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 Supporting Surface

Cranes must be on a firm supporting

surface and level within 1 percent
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 Sheaves

The grooves must be smooth and free from surface

defects which could cause rope damage
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 Rigging Equipment Slings
Types of slings include alloy steel chain, wire rope,
metal mesh, natural or synthetic fiber rope, and
synthetic web.

Chain Wire rope Metal mesh Synthetic

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 Annual Inspections
Inspection of the hoisting
machinery must be made
by a competent person
The employer must
maintain a record of
these inspections

Crane wasn’t inspected

and tipped over

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 What to Inspect
• Correct air pressure and no leaks
• Tires properly inflated
• Clearance for tail swing
• Wire rope wear
• Physical damage to crane
• Loose or missing hardware, nuts, or bolts
• Fluid leaks

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 Remove From Service

Immediately remove damaged or

defective slings from service

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 Damaged wire rope

Crushed Rope

Broken Strands

Damaged wire rope must be taken out of service

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 Worn Part

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 Tire Inspections
Conduct regular
inspections
of tires for
excessive wear
or damage

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 Load Moment Indicator

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 Training
• Operator Requirements and • Load Chart Interpretations and
Responsibilities Applications
• Effective Communications among Lifting • Lift Planning & Verifying the Weight of the
Personnel Load
• Proper Use of Hand and Voice Signals • Load Control
• Applicable OSHA & ANSI/ASME Safety • Use of Operator Aids
Standards • Basic Rigging Principles
• Safe, Effective and Efficient Operating • Determining Center of Gravity
Techniques • Sling Selection, Inspection and Sling Angles
• Proper Crane Set-up • Wire Rope Construction and Inspection
• Evaluating and Applying Site Conditions • Hitch Selection and Applications
• Dangers of Power Lines • Pre-Operation & Post Operation
• Equipment Overload, Shock Loading Inspections
• Two-Blocking • Equipment Maintenance
• Supporting Surface Requirements • Minimizing the Opportunity for Accidents
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 Summary
• Cranes must be operated only by qualified and trained personnel.
• The crane and crane controls must be inspected by a designated competent person before
use.
• Cranes must be on a firm, stable surface and must be level.
• Fully extend outriggers. Barricade all accessible areas inside the crane’s swing radius.
• Watch for overhead electric power lines. Maintain at least a 10-foot safe working clearance
from all power lines.
• Inspect all rigging prior to use. Do not wrap hoist lines around the load.
• Be sure to use the correct load chart for the crane’s configuration and setup, the load
weight, and the lift path.
• Do not exceed the load chart capacity while making lifts.
• Raise a load a few inches, hold, verify capacity and balance, and test the brake system before
delivering load.
• Do not move loads over workers, offices, equipment and others
• Be sure to follow signals, safety alarms and the manufacturer instructions, while operating a
crane.

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