OSHA recently issued a final rule setting November 10, 2018, as the date for employers in the construction industries to comply with a requirement for crane operator certification. The final rule became effective November 9, 2017.
This extension provides additional time for OSHA to complete a rulemaking to address stakeholder concerns related to the Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard.
Nonetheless, cranes and derricks pose significant safety hazards for workers and require diligent training and certification by the workers who operate these machines. Serious injuries and fatalities may occur when workers are struck by a load, or caught in-between a load and another object.
Previous analysis has identified the major causes of crane accidents to include: boom or crane contact with energized power lines, under the hook lifting device, overturned cranes, dropped loads, boom collapse, crushing by the counter weight, outrigger use, falls, and rigging failures. Extreme weather also poses a significant risk for unattended cranes.
The following are some safety tips for overhead crane operators to follow before operating the crane and applying the load:
- Be familiar with the operation of the crane and trained on the safe operation of the crane.
- Be familiar with the Operation section of the manual furnished by the original manufacturer of the crane.
- Know hand signals used for hoist and crane operations if a signal person is used in the operation.
- Obey a stop signal regardless of who gives it.
- Other than a stop signal, accept signals only from persons authorized to give hand signals.
- Do not adjust or repair a crane or hoist unless qualified and authorized to perform maintenance.
- Do not use a hoist load limiting device as a means to measure the load.
- Do not operate crane if any damage or malfunctions exist.
- Report any damage or malfunctions to the supervisor.
- Center crane and hoist over load.
- Do not use the hoist wire rope as a sling to wrap around the load.
For more information on compliance and safety measures, contact our offices at Diversified Safety Services.
