University of Central Oklahoma Standard Operating Procedures for Contracted Crane Operations

Introduction
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) reported 72 crane related fatal occupational injuries in 2006. In 2006 there were no multiple fatality incidents involving cranes; however 6 fatalities in 2005 and 8 fatalities in 2004 were the result of multiple fatality incidents involving cranes. In 2006, 30 crane-related fatalities were caused by being struck by falling objects. Only 9 of these fatalities were due to the crane striking them. The other workers were killed when an object the crane was transporting fell from the crane onto them. From 2003 to 2006, the most fatal occupational injuries involving cranes occurred in Texas (42). Florida (27), California (25), and Louisiana (17) more information is available from http://www.bls.gov/iif. Crane-related fatal occupational injuries, 1997-2006 1997 97 1998 93 1999 80 2000 90 2001 72 2002 80 2003 62 2004 87 2005 85 2006 72

OSHAs analysis identified the major causes of crane accidents to include: boom or crane contact with energized power lines (nearly 45% of the cases), under the hook lifting device, overturned cranes, dropped loads, boom collapse, crushing by the counter weight, outrigger use, falls, and rigging failures.

Purpose
The purpose of developing Standard Operating Procedure for activities involving crane operations in lifting and hoisting is to assure a safe and healthful work environment for the University of Central Oklahoma Campus Community.

Scope and Application

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These Standard Operating Procedures apply to all crane-assisted lifting and/or hoisting operations at the University of Central Oklahoma. Prior planning and coordination with the contractor is essential to performing operations in a safe manner.

Hazard Evaluation
Some hazards associated with crane operations are: Contact with overhead power lines. Boom collapse. Overturning. Crushed by the counter weights. Rigging failures. Outrigger use. Falls. Loads that shift/slip. Pedestrians entering the work zone.

All foreseeable hazards should be addressed in a written scope of work prior to any crane operations involving lifting or hoisting. The contractor will be made aware of the University of Central Oklahomas Standard Operating Procedures for crane operations, and the contractor will comply with all Federal and State Regulations involving crane safety, overhead and gantry cranes, overhead hoists, slings, fall protection, walking/working surfaces, and scaffolding.

Standard Operating Procedures for Lifting Loads From Or Onto A Rooftop Of A Building
Prior to all crane operations on campus Environmental Health and Safety must be supplied the following information, boom length, crane weight, assembly/onsite or off site, and weight of the heaviest load to be lifted. Scope of work will be discussed and conveyed to all affected employees prior to starting work. The roof should be inspected by a qualified engineer for structural integrity in the event of an accidental drop of material from the crane. Areas of the building that are in line with lifting operations will be vacated during lifts. If buildings cannot be vacated during lift operations then crane operations will be scheduled, late Friday through the weekend or at other times when the University is closed. Equipment that is being staged on campus must be barricaded off to pedestrian and student traffic. Barricades will consist of chain link fencing.

Cranes that require assembly of the boom will be barricaded off to pedestrian and student traffic. Barricades will consist of chain link fencing or orange barricade fencing. The accessible areas within the swing radius of the rotating superstructure of the crane must be barricaded. Barricades will consist of yellow caution tape. The area around the crane will be barricaded off to pedestrian and student traffic. No one will be allowed to enter the work area unless they are trained to recognize the hazards associated with crane operations. The cranes swing clearance boom length will be barricaded off to pedestrian and student traffic in the event of a tip over or boom collapse. Barricades will consist of chain link fencing. Proper Personal Protective Equipment will be utilized when working in a construction zone, hard hats, steel toe shoes, eye protection, hand protection, fall protection when applicable. Construction zone will be clearly identified by signage. Other signage will be utilized as needed. Never suspend a load over or close to people. Do not stand under suspended loads or in the loads line of motion.

Standard Operating Procedures for New Construction

Prior to all crane operations on campus Environmental Health and Safety must be supplied the following information, boom length, crane weight, assembly/onsite or off site, and weight of the heaviest load to be lifted. Scope of work will be discussed and conveyed to all affected employees prior to starting work. Equipment that is being staged on campus must be barricaded off to pedestrian and student traffic. Barricades will consist of chain link fencing. Cranes that require assembly of the boom will be barricaded off to pedestrian and student traffic. Barricades will consist of chain link fencing or orange barricade fencing. The accessible areas within the swing radius of the rotating superstructure of the crane must be barricaded. Barricades will consist of yellow caution tape. The area around the crane will be barricaded off to pedestrian and student traffic. No one will be allowed to enter the work area unless they are trained to recognize the hazards associated with crane operations. The cranes swing clearance boom length will be barricaded off to pedestrian and student traffic in the event of a tip over or boom collapse. Barricades will consist of chain link fencing. Proper Personal Protective Equipment will be utilized when working in a construction zone, hard hats, steel toe shoes, eye protection, hand protection, fall protection when applicable. Construction zone will be clearly identified by signage. Other signage will be utilized as needed. Never suspend a load over or close to people.

Do not stand under suspended loads or in the loads line of motion.

Contractor Responsibilities
It is the contractors responsibility to assure a safe work site exists. The use of cranes requires special attention for every application; however, most crane-related incidents fall into four categories: overhead power lines, riggings and maintenance, jumping and falling, and shifting or slipping loads. Accidents in each of these categories generally involve human error and may be preventable. Some safety recommendations for each of the four categories are addressed below.

Overhead Power Lines

Lower the boom when in transit. Consider any overhead wire to be energized unless the line owner or utility company tells you that it is not energized. Maintain a minimum clearance of 10 feet between the power line and any part of the crane or load when working around energized power lines rated at 50kv or below. Maintain a minimum clearance between the lines and any part of the crane or load of 10 feet plus 0.4 inch for every 1kv over 50kv, or twice the length of the line insulator, for voltages above 50kv. Look carefully before moving the boom, particularly in congested areas of poor visibility, and request assistance if you cannot see clearly.

Rigging and Maintenance

Keep your fingers and arms from between the sling and the load and from the sling hook. Gloves are recommended. Follow lockout/tagout procedures (turn the crane off, lock the main switch in the off position, and tag it), and place an OUT OF ORDER sign on the crane in a highly visible place before starting any maintenance activity.

Jumping and Falling

Use the ladder when climbing up to the cab. Keep a firm grip on the handrails to avoid falling if your feet slip. Use the ladder to climb down, DO NOT JUMP DOWN. Avoid handling or carrying objects while climbing up or down the ladder. Take precautions to ensure that loose clothing, such as coats or rain gear, does not catch on bolts or handles and cause a fall.

Shifting or Slipping Loads

Inspect the crane before use, checking for deformed or cracked hooks and wear on the hoist chain, sling, and associated equipment. Ensure that the crane and associated hoisting machinery is inspected by the annually by a competent person or by an agency recognized by the U. S. Department of Labor. Ensure that the load is well secured and balanced in the sling or rigging before it is lifted more than a few inches from the ground. Position the hook directly over the center of the load to minimize swinging. Do not attempt to manually shift, turn or redistribute a load once it has been lifted, since this increases the risk of accidents and injuries. If the load is off center or looks as if it will slip, ask the operator to lower the load back to the ground before you approach to make adjustments. Check the area in the path of the moving load to ensure that it will not hit anything, especially if it swings suddenly. Move the load smoothly, avoid sudden accelerations or decelerations, which can cause the load to swing or shift.

References:
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29 CFR 1926.550,Cranes and Derricks 29 CFR 1910.179, Overhead and Gantry Cranes 29 CFR 1917.45, Cranes and Derricks 29 CFR 1910.180, Locomotive and Truck Cranes ANSI B30.2-90 and B30.2a, Overhead and Gantry Cranes ANSI B30.16a-89, Overhead Hoists ANSI B30.9-90, Slings Mobile Crane Inspection Guidelines for OSHA Compliance Officers

Project Name: Inspected by: Equipment #: Date:

Project Location: Manufacturer: Serial #:

CRANE INSPECTION

HOOK: 1. Throat opening more than 15%. 2. Hook in twisted (not straight or on one plane). 3. More than 10% wear at the throat. 4. Any cracks or corrosion WEDGE SOCKETS: 1. Wire rope size and wedge socket is a proper match. 2. Dead end of wire rope extends at least 9 inches beyond wedge socket. 3. Dead end of the wire rope is secured properly. SHEAVES: 1. The wire rope is seated properly in the sheaves. 2. The wire rope keepers (keeps cable from coming out of the sheaves) are in good shape. 3. Check the bolts on the sheave plates for tightness. 4. Check for any weld cracks. 5. Signs of bent or buckled panels or parts. BOOM: 1. Hydraulic leaks. 2. Check all 4 sides of boom for bent parts or buckled panels. 3. Lattice boom extension is secured properly. 4. Lattice sections are not bent (each rib is straight). TIRES: 1. Properly inflated (look on load charts for Manufacturing recommendations) 2. Cuts in the tires or bulges.

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FLUIDS: 1. Crank case oil is clean and full. 2. Water is about 2 inches below cap. 3. Check hydraulic oil level. MISCELLANEOUS: 1. Out rigger pads not cracked. 2. Hydraulic hoses in good condition. 3. The drum cable is properly spooled. 4. Handrails leading into crane cab are good. 5. Fire extinguisher is available. 6. Load chart is in cab. 7. Boom angle indicator is available and working. 8. Back alarm is working. 9. Engine is started and gauges are checked, working properly. 10. Out riggers are extended out; working properly. 11. Crane is leveled, working properly. 12. Boom up, unlock the swing break, does it swing when level? 13. Swing through 360 degrees, does boom angle indicator stay the same throughout rotation? 14. Does the horn work? 15. Does boom swing break work properly? 16. Extend out the boom, are all sections extending evenly. 17. Brakes & brake systems check out. 18. Safety pressure relief valves check out.

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