1 Crane Safety

CONSTRUCTION OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
CRANE SAFETY – RULE 1415

Crane
• Definition: A crane is a machine with a boom, primarily
designed to raise and lower heavy loads.
Crane Accident
Crane Accident
Crane Accident Statistics
• 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 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%).
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.
Mobile cranes were involved in 80 of the 95 overhead power line fatal
incidents.
OSHA Office of Training & Education 7
Major Causes of Crane Accidents
• Contact with power lines
• Overturns
• Falls
• Mechanical failure
• Defective equipment (sling, shackle, etc)
8
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
• Human Factor
• Inadequate maintenance or inspection
11
NEAR MISS
Cranes In Constructions
Crane Parts and Functions
Who is at Risk
• Operator
• Riggers
• Supervisors
• Other work Force
• Other Establishments
• General Public
Crane Hazards
• Improper load rating • Working too close to
power lines
• Excessive speeds
• Improper exhaust system
• No hand signals
• Shattered windows
• Inadequate inspection • No steps/guardrails
and maintenance walkways
• Unguarded parts • No boom angle indicator
• Unguarded swing radius • Not using outriggers
• Operator By Passing of
Safety Alarms
15
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.
16
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 need to fix, take it out of service and don’t

use it until it is fixed
17
Load Capacity - Speed - Warnings
• Make sure the crane
operator can see the:
– Rated Load
Capacities
– Operating Speeds
– Special Hazard
Warning or
Instruction Load Chart

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

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
20
Improper Load
Improper loads or speeds can result

21
in the tipping of the crane
Improper Load
22
Improper Load
23
Power Lines
Stay clear
from
power
lines at
least 10
feet

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

Guard Moving Parts
Unguarded
Chain Drive
Guard moving parts such as gears or belts

Swing Radius
Stay out of the swing radius of the crane – Make sure

there are barrier guards showing swing radius
29
Operator Visibility
Broken Window
30
Ladders
Ladder
Use ladders to get to the upper portion of the cab

Guardrails
Runways and steps need to have guardrails,

handholds and slip resistant surfaces
Suspended Loads
Don’t stand under suspended loads

Supporting Surface
Cranes must be on a firm supporting

surface and level within 1 percent

Sheaves
The grooves must be smooth and free from surface

defects which could cause rope damage
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

Annual Inspections
Inspection of the hoisting machinery

must be made by a competent person
The employer must maintain a record of
these inspections

CHECKLISTS
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

Remove From Service
Immediately remove damaged or

defective slings from service

Worn Part

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

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
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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CONSTRUCTION OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

CRANE SAFETY – RULE 1415

If it need to fix, take it out of service and don’t

OSHA Office of Training & Education 18

• Refer to shipping ticket or other documentation

OSHA Office of Training & Education 19

Improper loads or speeds can result

OSHA Office of Training & Education 24

OSHA Office of Training & Education 26

Guard moving parts such as gears or belts

Stay out of the swing radius of the crane – Make sure

Use ladders to get to the upper portion of the cab

OSHA Office of Training & Education 31

Runways and steps need to have guardrails,

Don’t stand under suspended loads

OSHA Office of Training & Education 33

Cranes must be on a firm supporting

OSHA Office of Training & Education 34

The grooves must be smooth and free from surface

Chain Wire rope Metal mesh Synthetic

OSHA Office of Training & Education 36

Inspection of the hoisting machinery

OSHA Office of Training & Education 37

OSHA Office of Training & Education 39

Immediately remove damaged or

OSHA Office of Training & Education 40

OSHA Office of Training & Education 41

OSHA Office of Training & Education 42

OSHA Office of Training & Education 44

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