[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 8]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1926.550]
[Page 348-355]
TITLE 29--LABOR
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT
OF LABOR
PART 1926_SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION--Table of Contents
Subpart N_Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Elevators, and Conveyors
Sec. 1926.550 Cranes and derricks.
Authority: Sec. 107, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act
(Construction Safety Act) (40 U.S.C. 333); secs. 4, 6, 8, Occupational
Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 653, 655, 657); Secretary of
Labor's Order No. 12-71 (36 FR 8754), 8-76 (41 FR 25059), or 9-83 (49 FR
35736), as applicable. Section 1926.550 also issued under 29 CFR Part
1911.
(a) General requirements. (1) The employer shall comply with the
manufacturer's specifications and limitations applicable to the
operation of any and all cranes and derricks. Where manufacturer's
specifications are not available, the limitations assigned to the
equipment shall be based on the determinations of a qualified engineer
competent in this field and such determinations will be appropriately
documented and recorded. Attachments used with cranes shall not exceed
the capacity, rating, or scope recommended by the manufacturer.
(2) Rated load capacities, and recommended operating speeds, special
hazard warnings, or instruction, shall be conspicuously posted on all
equipment. Instructions or warnings shall be visible to the operator
while he is at his control station.
(3) [Reserved]
(4) Hand signals to crane and derrick operators shall be those
prescribed by the applicable ANSI standard for the type of crane in use.
An illustration of the signals shall be posted at the job site.
(5) The employer shall designate a competent person who shall
inspect all machinery and equipment prior to each use, and during use,
to make sure it is in safe operating condition. Any deficiencies shall
be repaired, or defective parts replaced, before continued use.
(6) A thorough, annual inspection of the hoisting machinery shall be
made by a competent person, or by a government or private agency
recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor. The employer shall maintain
a record of the dates and results of inspections for each hoisting
machine and piece of equipment.
(7) Wire rope shall be taken out of service when any of the
following conditions exist:
(i) In running ropes, six randomly distributed broken wires in one
lay or three broken wires in one strand in one lay;
(ii) Wear of one-third the original diameter of outside individual
wires. Kinking, crushing, bird caging, or any other damage resulting in
distortion of the rope structure;
(iii) Evidence of any heat damage from any cause;
(iv) Reductions from nominal diameter of more than one-sixty-fourth
inch for diameters up to and including five-sixteenths inch, one-thirty-
second inch for diameters three-eighths inch to and including one-half
inch, three-sixty-fourths inch for diameters nine-sixteenths inch to and
including three-
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fourths inch, one-sixteenth inch for diameters seven-eighths inch to
1\1/8\ inches inclusive, three-thirty-seconds inch for diameters 1\1/4\
to 1\1/2\ inches inclusive;
(v) In standing ropes, more than two broken wires in one lay in
sections beyond end connections or more than one broken wire at an end
connection.
(vi) Wire rope safety factors shall be in accordance with American
National Standards Institute B30.5-1968 or SAE J959-1966.
(8) Belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, fly
wheels, chains, or other reciprocating, rotating, or other moving parts
or equipment shall be guarded if such parts are exposed to contact by
employees, or otherwise create a hazard. Guarding shall meet the
requirements of the American National Standards Institute B15.1-1958
Rev., Safety Code for Mechanical Power Transmission Apparatus.
(9) Accessible areas within the swing radius of the rear of the
rotating superstructure of the crane, either permanently or temporarily
mounted, shall be barricaded in such a manner as to prevent an employee
from being struck or crushed by the crane.
(10) All exhaust pipes shall be guarded or insulated in areas where
contact by employees is possible in the performance of normal duties.
(11) Whenever internal combustion engine powered equipment exhausts
in enclosed spaces, tests shall be made and recorded to see that
employees are not exposed to unsafe concentrations of toxic gases or
oxygen deficient atmospheres.
(12) All windows in cabs shall be of safety glass, or equivalent,
that introduces no visible distortion that will interfere with the safe
operation of the machine.
(13) (i) Where necessary for rigging or service requirements, a
ladder, or steps, shall be provided to give access to a cab roof.
(ii) Guardrails, handholds, and steps shall be provided on cranes
for easy access to the car and cab, conforming to American National
Standards Institute B30.5.
(iii) Platforms and walkways shall have anti-skid surfaces.
(14) Fuel tank filler pipe shall be located in such a position, or
protected in such manner, as to not allow spill or overflow to run onto
the engine, exhaust, or electrical equipment of any machine being
fueled.
(i) An accessible fire extinguisher of 5BC rating, or higher, shall
be available at all operator stations or cabs of equipment.
(ii) All fuels shall be transported, stored, and handled to meet the
rules of subpart F of this part. When fuel is transported by vehicles on
public highways, Department of Transportation rules contained in 49 CFR
Parts 177 and 393 concerning such vehicular transportation are
considered applicable.
(15) Except where electrical distribution and transmission lines
have been deenergized and visibly grounded at point of work or where
insulating barriers, not a part of or an attachment to the equipment or
machinery, have been erected to prevent physical contact with the lines,
equipment or machines shall be operated proximate to power lines only in
accordance with the following:
(i) For lines rated 50 kV. or below, minimum clearance between the
lines and any part of the crane or load shall be 10 feet;
(ii) For lines rated over 50 kV., minimum clearance between the
lines and any part of the crane or load shall be 10 feet plus 0.4 inch
for each 1 kV. over 50 kV., or twice the length of the line insulator,
but never less than 10 feet;
(iii) In transit with no load and boom lowered, the equipment
clearance shall be a minimum of 4 feet for voltages less than 50 kV.,
and 10 feet for voltages over 50 kV., up to and including 345 kV., and
16 feet for voltages up to and including 750 kV.
(iv) A person shall be designated to observe clearance of the
equipment and give timely warning for all operations where it is
difficult for the operator to maintain the desired clearance by visual
means;
(v) Cage-type boom guards, insulating links, or proximity warning
devices may be used on cranes, but the use of such devices shall not
alter the requirements of any other regulation of this part even if such
device is required by law or regulation;
[[Page 350]]
(vi) Any overhead wire shall be considered to be an energized line
unless and until the person owning such line or the electrical utility
authorities indicate that it is not an energized line and it has been
visibly grounded;
(vii) Prior to work near transmitter towers where an electrical
charge can be induced in the equipment or materials being handled, the
transmitter shall be de-energized or tests shall be made to determine if
electrical charge is induced on the crane. The following precautions
shall be taken when necessary to dissipate induced voltages:
(a) The equipment shall be provided with an electrical ground
directly to the upper rotating structure supporting the boom; and
(b) Ground jumper cables shall be attached to materials being
handled by boom equipment when electrical charge is induced while
working near energized transmitters. Crews shall be provided with
nonconductive poles having large alligator clips or other similar
protection to attach the ground cable to the load.
(c) Combustible and flammable materials shall be removed from the
immediate area prior to operations.
(16) No modifications or additions which affect the capacity or safe
operation of the equipment shall be made by the employer without the
manufacturer's written approval. If such modifications or changes are
made, the capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags,
or decals, shall be changed accordingly. In no case shall the original
safety factor of the equipment be reduced.
(17) The employer shall comply with Power Crane and Shovel
Association Mobile Hydraulic Crane Standard No. 2.
(18) Sideboom cranes mounted on wheel or crawler tractors shall meet
the requirements of SAE J743a-1964.
(19) All employees shall be kept clear of loads about to be lifted
and of suspended loads.
(b) Crawler, locomotive, and truck cranes. (1) All jibs shall have
positive stops to prevent their movement of more than 5[deg] above the
straight line of the jib and boom on conventional type crane booms. The
use of cable type belly slings does not constitute compliance with this
rule.
(2) All crawler, truck, or locomotive cranes in use shall meet the
applicable requirements for design, inspection, construction, testing,
maintenance and operation as prescribed in the ANSI B30.5-1968, Safety
Code for Crawler, Locomotive and Truck Cranes. However, the written,
dated, and signed inspection reports and records of the monthly
inspection of critical items prescribed in section 5-2.1.5 of the ANSI
B30.5-1968 standard are not required. Instead, the employer shall
prepare a certification record which includes the date the crane items
were inspected; the signature of the person who inspected the crane
items; and a serial number, or other identifier, for the crane
inspected. The most recent certification record shall be maintained on
file until a new one is prepared.
(c) Hammerhead tower cranes. (1) Adequate clearance shall be
maintained between moving and rotating structures of the crane and fixed
objects to allow the passage of employees without harm.
(2) Each employee required to perform duties on the horizontal boom
of hammerhead tower cranes shall be protected against falling by
guardrails or by a personal fall arrest system in conformance with
subpart M of this part.
(3) Buffers shall be provided at both ends of travel of the trolley.
(4) Cranes mounted on rail tracks shall be equipped with limit
switches limiting the travel of the crane on the track and stops or
buffers at each end of the tracks.
(5) All hammerhead tower cranes in use shall meet the applicable
requirements for design, construction, installation, testing,
maintenance, inspection, and operation as prescribed by the
manufacturer.
(d) Overhead and gantry cranes. (1) The rated load of the crane
shall be plainly marked on each side of the crane, and if the crane has
more than one hoisting unit, each hoist shall have its rated load marked
on it or its load block, and this marking shall be clearly legible from
the ground or floor.
(2) Bridge trucks shall be equipped with sweeps which extend below
the
[[Page 351]]
top of the rail and project in front of the truck wheels.
(3) Except for floor-operated cranes, a gong or other effective
audible warning signal shall be provided for each crane equipped with a
power traveling mechanism.
(4) All overhead and gantry cranes in use shall meet the applicable
requirements for design, construction, installation, testing,
maintenance, inspection, and operation as prescribed in the ANSI
B30.2.0-1967, Safety Code for Overhead and Gantry Cranes.
(e) Derricks. All derricks in use shall meet the applicable
requirements for design, construction, installation, inspection,
testing, maintenance, and operation as prescribed in American National
Standards Institute B30.6-1969, Safety Code for Derricks.
(f) Floating cranes and derricks--(1) Mobile cranes mounted on
barges. (i) When a mobile crane is mounted on a barge, the rated load of
the crane shall not exceed the original capacity specified by the
manufacturer.
(ii) A load rating chart, with clearly legible letters and figures,
shall be provided with each crane, and securely fixed at a location
easily visible to the operator.
(iii) When load ratings are reduced to stay within the limits for
list of the barge with a crane mounted on it, a new load rating chart
shall be provided.
(iv) Mobile cranes on barges shall be positively secured.
(2) Permanently mounted floating cranes and derricks. (i) When
cranes and derricks are permanently installed on a barge, the capacity
and limitations of use shall be based on competent design criteria.
(ii) A load rating chart with clearly legible letters and figures
shall be provided and securely fixed at a location easily visible to the
operator.
(iii) Floating cranes and floating derricks in use shall meet the
applicable requirements for design, construction, installation, testing,
maintenance, and operation as prescribed by the manufacturer.
(3) Protection of employees working on barges. The employer shall
comply with the applicable requirements for protection of employees
working onboard marine vessels specified in Sec. 1926.605.
(g) Crane or derrick suspended personnel platforms--(1) Scope,
application and definitions--(i) Scope and application. This standard
applies to the design, construction, testing, use and maintenance of
personnel platforms, and the hoisting of personnel platforms on the load
lines of cranes or derricks.
(ii) Definitions. For the purposes of this paragraph (g), the
following definitions apply:
(A) Failure means load refusal, breakage, or separation of
components.
(B) Hoist (or hoisting) means all crane or derrick functions such as
lowering, lifting, swinging, booming in and out or up and down, or
suspending a personnel platform.
(C) Load refusal means the point where the ultimate strength is
exceeded.
(D) Maximum intended load means the total load of all employees,
tools, materials, and other loads reasonably anticipated to be applied
to a personnel platform or personnel platform component at any one time.
(E) Runway means a firm, level surface designed, prepared and
designated as a path of travel for the weight and configuration of the
crane being used to lift and travel with the crane suspended platform.
An existing surface may be used as long as it meets these criteria.
(2) General requirements. The use of a crane or derrick to hoist
employees on a personnel platform is prohibited, except when the
erection, use, and dismantling of conventional means of reaching the
worksite, such as a personnel hoist, ladder, stairway, aerial lift,
elevating work platform or scaffold, would be more hazardous, or is not
possible because of structural design or worksite conditions.
(3) Cranes and derricks--(i) Operational criteria. (A) Hoisting of
the personnel platform shall be performed in a slow, controlled,
cautious manner with no sudden movements of the crane or derrick, or the
platform.
(B) Load lines shall be capable of supporting, without failure, at
least seven times the maximum intended load, except that where rotation
resistant rope is used, the lines shall be capable of
[[Page 352]]
supporting without failure, at least ten times the maximum intended
load. The required design factor is achieved by taking the current
safety factor of 3.5 (required under paragraph (b)(2)) of this section
and applying the 50 per cent derating of the crane capacity which is
required by paragraph (g)(3)(i)(F) of this section.
(C) Load and boom hoist drum brakes, swing brakes, and locking
devices such as pawls or dogs shall be engaged when the occupied
personnel platform is in a stationary working position.
(D) The crane shall be uniformly level within one percent of level
grade and located on firm footing. Cranes equipped with outriggers shall
have them all fully deployed following manufacturer's specifications,
insofar as applicable, when hoisting employees.
(E) The total weight of the loaded personnel platform and related
rigging shall not exceed 50 percent of the rated capaciy for the radius
and configuration of the crane or derrick.
(F) The use of machines having live booms (booms in which lowering
is controlled by a brake without aid from other devices which slow the
lowering speeds) is prohibited.
(ii) Instruments and components. (A) Cranes and derricks with
variable angle booms shall be equipped with a boom angle indicator,
readily visible to the operator.
(B) Cranes with telescoping booms shall be equipped with a device to
indicate clearly to the operator, at all times, the boom's extended
length, or an accurate determination of the load radius to be used
during the lift shall be made prior to hoisting personnel.
(C) A positive acting device shall be used which prevents contact
between the load block or overhaul ball and the boom tip (anti-two-
blocking device), or a system shall be used which deactivates the
hoisting action before damage occurs in the event of a two-blocking
situation (two block damage prevention feature).
(D) The load line hoist drum shall have a system or device on the
power train, other than the load hoist brake, which regulates the
lowering rate of speed of the hoist mechanism (controlled load
lowering.) Free fall is prohibited.
(4) Personnel platforms--(i) Design criteria. (A) The personnel
platform and suspension system shall be designed by a qualified engineer
or a qualified person competent in structural design.
(B) The suspension system shall be designed to minimize tipping of
the platform due to movement of employees occupying the platform.
(C) The personnel platform itself, except the guardrail system and
personal fall arrest system anchorages, shall be capable of supporting,
without failure, its own weight and at least five times the maximum
intended load. Criteria for guardrail systems and personal fall arrest
system anchorages are contained in subpart M of this Part.
(ii) Platform specifications. (A) Each personnel platform shall be
equipped with a guardrail system which meets the requirements of subpart
M, and, shall be enclosed at least from the toeboard to mid-rail with
either solid construction or expanded metal having openings no greater
than \1/2\ inch (1.27 cm).
(B) A grab rail shall be installed inside the entire perimeter of
the personnel platform.
(C) Access gates, if installed, shall not swing outward during
hoisting.
(D) Access gates, including sliding or folding gates, shall be
equipped with a restraining device to prevent accidental opening.
(E) Headroom shall be provided which allows employees to stand
upright in the platform.
(F) In addition to the use of hard hats, employees shall be
protected by overhead protection on the personnel platform when
employees are exposed to falling objects.
(G) All rough edges exposed to contact by employees shall be
surfaced or smoothed in order to prevent injury to employees from
punctures or lacerations.
(H) All welding of the personnel platform and its components shall
be performed by a qualified welder familiar with the weld grades, types
and material specified in the platform design.
(I) The personnel platform shall be conspicuously posted with a
plate or
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other permanent marking which indicates the weight of the platform and
its rated load capacity or maximum intended load.
(iii) Personnel platform loading. (A) The personnel platform shall
not be loaded in excess of its rated load capacity. When a personnel
platform does not have a rated load capacity then the personnel platform
shall not be loaded in excess of its maximum intended load.
(B) The number of employees occupying the personnel platform shall
not exceed the number required for the work being performed.
(C) Personnel platforms shall be used only for employees, their
tools, and the materials necessary to do their work, and shall not be
used to hoist only materials or tools when not hoisting personnel.
(D) Materials and tools for use during a personnel lift shall be
secured to prevent displacement.
(E) Materials and tools for use during a personnel lift shall be
evenly distributed within the confines of the platform while the
platform is suspended.
(iv) Rigging. (A) When a wire rope bridle is used to connect the
personnel platform to the load line, each bridle leg shall be connected
to a master link or shackle in such a manner to ensure that the load is
evenly divided among the bridle legs.
(B) Hooks on overhaul ball assemblies, lower load blocks, or other
attachment assemblies shall be of a type that can be closed and locked,
eliminating the hook throat opening. Alternatively, an alloy anchor type
shackle with a bolt, nut and retaining pin may be used.
(C) Wire rope, shackles, rings, master links, and other rigging
hardware must be capable of supporting, without failure, at least five
times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to that
component. Where rotation resistant rope is used, the slings shall be
capable of supporting without failure at least ten times the maximum
intended load.
(D) All eyes in wire rope slings shall be fabricated with thimbles.
(E) Bridles and associated rigging for attaching the personnel
platform to the hoist line shall be used only for the platform and the
necessary employees, their tools and the materials necessary to do their
work, and shall not be used for any other purpose when not hoisting
personnel.
(5) Trial lift, inspection, and proof testing. (i) A trial lift with
the unoccupied personnel platform loaded at least to the anticipated
liftweight shall be made from ground level, or any other location where
employees will enter the platform, to each location at which the
personnel platform is to be hoisted and positioned. This trial lift
shall be performed immediately prior to placing personnel on the
platform. The operator shall determine that all systems, controls and
safety devices are activated and functioning properly; that no
interferences exist; and that all configurations necessary to reach
those work locations will allow the operator to remain under the 50
percent limit of the hoist's rated capacity. Materials and tools to be
used during the actual lift can be loaded in the platform, as provided
in paragraphs (g)(4)(iii) (D), and (E) of this section for the trial
lift. A single trial lift may be performed at one time for all locations
that are to be reached from a single set up position.
(ii) The trial lift shall be repeated prior to hoisting employees
whenever the crane or derrick is moved and set up in a new location or
returned to a previously used location. Additionally, the trial lift
shall be repeated when the lift route is changed unless the operator
determines that the route change is not significant (i.e. the route
change would not affect the safety of hoisted employees.)
(iii) After the trial lift, and just prior to hoisting personnel,
the platform shall be hoisted a few inches and inspected to ensure that
it is secure and properly balanced. Employees shall not be hoisted
unless the following conditions are determined to exist:
(A) Hoist ropes shall be free of kinks;
(B) Multiple part lines shall not be twisted around each other;
(C) The primary attachment shall be centered over the platform; and
(D) The hoisting system shall be inspected if the load rope is slack
to ensure all ropes are properly stated on drums and in sheaves.
[[Page 354]]
(iv) A visual inspection of the crane or derrick, rigging, personnel
platform, and the crane or derrick base support or ground shall be
conducted by a competent person immediately after the trial lift to
determine whether the testing has exposed any defect or produced any
adverse effect upon any component or structure.
(v) Any defects found during inspections which create a safety
hazard shall be corrected before hoisting personnel.
(vi) At each job site, prior to hoisting employees on the personnel
platform, and after any repair or modification, the platform and rigging
shall be proof tested to 125 percent of the platform's rated capacity by
holding it in a suspended position for five minutes with the test load
evenly distributed on the platform (this may be done concurrently with
the trial lift). After prooftesting, a competent person shall inspect
the platform and rigging. Any deficiencies found shall be corrected and
another proof test shall be conducted. Personnel hoisting shall not be
conducted until the proof testing requirements are satisfied.
(6) Work practices. (i) Employees shall keep all parts of the body
inside the platform during raising, lowering, and positioning. This
provision does not apply to an occupant of the platform performing the
duties of a signal person.
(ii) Before employees exit or enter a hoisted personnel platform
that is not landed, the platform shall be secured to the structure where
the work is to be performed, unless securing to the structure creates an
unsafe situation.
(iii) Tag lines shall be used unless their use creates an unsafe
condition.
(iv) The crane or derrick operator shall remain at the controls at
all times when the crane engine is running and the platform is occupied.
(v) Hoisting of employees shall be promptly discontinued upon
indication of any dangerous weather conditions or other impending
danger.
(vi) Employees being hoisted shall remain in continuous sight of and
in direct communication with the operator or signal person. In those
situations where direct visual contact with the operator is not
possible, and the use of a signal person would create a greater hazard
for that person, direct communication alone such as by radio may be
used.
(vii) Except over water, employees occupying the personnel platform
shall use a body belt/harness system with lanyard appropriately attached
to the lower load block or overhaul ball, or to a structural member
within the personnel platform capable of supporting a fall impact for
employees using the anchorage. When working over water, the requirements
of Sec. 1926.106 shall apply.
(viii) No lifts shall be made on another of the crane's or derrick's
loadlines while personnel are suspended on a platform.
(7) Traveling. (i) Hoisting of employees while the crane is
traveling is prohibited, except for portal, tower and locomotive cranes,
or where the employer demonstrates that there is no less hazardous way
to perform the work.
(ii) Under any circumstances where a crane would travel while
hoisting personnel, the employer shall implement the following
procedures to safeguard employees:
(A) Crane travel shall be restricted to a fixed track or runway;
(B) Travel shall be limited to the load radius of the boom used
during the lift; and
(C) The boom must be parallel to the direction of travel.
(D) A complete trial run shall be performed to test the route of
travel before employees are allowed to occupy the platform. This trial
run can be performed at the same time as the trial lift required by
paragraph (g)(5)(i) of this section which tests the route of the lift.
(E) If travel is done with a rubber tired-carrier, the condition and
air pressure of the tires shall be checked. The chart capacity for lifts
on rubber shall be used for application of the 50 percent reduction of
rated capacity. Notwithstanding paragraph (g)(3)(i)(E) of this section,
outriggers may be partially retracted as necessary for travel.
(8) Pre-lift meeting. (i) A meeting attended by the crane or derrick
operator, signal person(s) (if necessary for the lift), employee(s) to
be lifted, and the person responsible for the task to
[[Page 355]]
be performed shall be held to review the appropriate requirements of
paragraph (g) of this section and the procedures to be followed.
(ii) This meeting shall be held prior to the trial lift at each new
work location, and shall be repeated for any employees newly assigned to
the operation.
[44 FR 8577, Feb. 9, 1979; 44 FR 20940, Apr. 6, 1979, as amended at 52
FR 36382, Sept. 28, 1987; 53 FR 29139, Aug. 2, 1988; 54 FR 15406, Apr.
18, 1989; 54 FR 24334, June 7, 1989; 58 FR 35183, June 30, 1993; 59 FR
40730, Aug. 9, 1994; 61 FR 5510, Feb. 13, 1996]
