indiana.eduCranes, Lifts, and Hoists
Regular and periodic movement of large and/or heavy loads is essential to numerous university operations. In an effort to prevent accidents involving cranes and hoists, these standards shall be followed:
- The safe design capacity of a crane, or other hoisting equipment, must not be exceeded.
- All cranes and hoisting equipment must be in safe working condition and be inspected by a competent person before use, and during use to make sure it is in safe working condition. Proper guards must be in place to exposed gears belts, couplings and fans.
- All operators must be familiar and trained to operate the equipment they are assigned to operate before they are allowed to use the equipment. Documentation of the operators training must be available upon request. UOEHSM is available to conduct training upon request.
- Equipment shall be inspected by a competent person before each use and during use, and all deficiencies corrected before further use. A documented annual inspection log must be kept with the crane at all times. Boom cable installation documents must be readily available as well.
- No persons shall ever be under a load while it is being lifted.
- To avoid tipping, outriggers must be fully extended and remain firmly on the ground. Cribbing is necessary when the ground cannot support outriggers. Boom angle indicators and load charts and a standard hand signal chart must be visibly posted in the crane.
- While moving a crane, the “headache” ball must be retracted to avoid swinging.
- Minimum clearance between power lines and any part of the crane shall be at least 10 feet. For power lines rated over 50 kV, additional clearance is required.
- Overhead cranes shall have stops at the limit of travel of the trolley. Bridge and trolley bumpers or equivalent automatic devices shall be provided. Bridge trucks shall have tail sweeps.
- A preventive maintenance program based on the crane manufacturer’s recommendations shall be established for all overhead and gantry cranes.
- Common sense needs to be used when operating equipment. No employee should use equipment or be forced to use equipment in conditions that they feel are unsafe.
- Outdoor use of lifts in winds exceeding 20 miles per hour is prohibited unless prior approval is obtained from UOEHSM.
- Any temporary or permanent structure, including cranes, that exceed an overall height of 200 feet above ground level or that fall under the notification requirements shall be marked and/or lighted, in accordance with the guidelines of the FAA publication Advisory Circular AC 70/7460-1K.
Services
- Training
- Consultation inspections
Publications and Resources
- OSHA Standards for General Industry (29 CFR 1910 Subpart N and S)
- OSHA Construction Industry Regulations (29 CFR 1926 Subpart K, N, and V)
- The American Society of Mechanical Engineers/ASME
- B30.2 - 2005 Overhead and Gantry Cranes (Top Running Bridge, Single or Multiple Girder, Top Running Trolley Hoist)
- B30.16 - 2007 Overhead Hoists (Underhung)
- B30.17 - 2006 Overhead and Gantry Cranes (Top Running Bridge, Single Girder, Underhung Hoist)
- Canadian Standards Association/CSA
- B167-08 Overhead travelling cranes - Design, inspection, testing, maintenance, and safe operation
- Crane Manufacturers Association of America
CMAA Specification 78 - Standards and Guidelines for Professional Services Performed on Overhead Traveling Cranes and Associated Hoisting Equipment - Material Handling Industry of America
- IU Crane and Hoist Program Policy
- Crane Inspection & Maintenance Checklist – Coming Soon
- DOL/MSHA Accident Prevention Program; Hand Signals for Lifting Equipment
- OSHA Alliance Cooperative Program, Material Handling Industry of America: Technical Documents, Safety Fact Sheets, and Safety Tips Sheets
See especially Fact Sheets 1 & 2 as well as Safety Tips Sheets 1-4.
In addition to the resources linked above, state and local codes as well as manufacturer’s operation manuals should be consulted whenever cranes or hoists are deployed.
SERVICES
- Training
PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES
- OSHA's Crane and Hoist Safety
- Crane and Hoist Regulations - 1910.179
- Powered Platforms, Manlifts, and Vehicle-Mounted Work
Platforms Regulations - 1910.66-68 (starts at 1910.66,
advance by clicking the link at the bottom)