Cranes and Derricks StandardSummary

April, 2010

New Crane Regulations

• Federal OSHA proposed Crane and Derrick Standard in October, 2008.

• Expected final Federal regulation: June 2010??

• In effect now in North Carolina except that digger derricks are entirely excluded.

Scope - Included

• The regulation applies power-operated equipment used in construction that can hoist, lower, and horizontally move a suspended load. Such equipment includes, but is not limited to:– Articulating cranes such as knuckle boom cranes;– Crawler cranes;– Floating cranes– Cranes on barges;– Locomotive cranes;– Mobile cranes (such as wheel-mounted, rough-terrain, all-terrain, commercial truck-mounted and

boom truck cranes);– Multi-purpose machines when configured to hoist and lower (by means of a winch or hook) and

horizontally move a suspended load– Industrial cranes (such as carry-deck cranes);– Dedicated pile drivers;– Service/mechanic trucks with a hoisting device;– Tower cranes;– Pedestal cranes;– Portal cranes;– Straddle cranes;– Side boom tractors;– Derricks;– Variations of such equipment.– Overhead bridge and gantry cranes NOT permanently installed.– Digger derricks EXCLUDED when used for work related to power poles --- INCLUDED for work not

related to power lines (for instance towers & substations) in Federal OSHA. (Excluded in NC OSHA)

Scope – Not Included

• The standard does not cover:– Power shovels, excavators, wheel loaders, backhoes, loader backhoes, track loaders. Also excluded

when used with chains, slings or other rigging to lift suspended loads.– Automotive wreckers and tow trucks;– Digger derricks EXCLUDED when used for work related to power poles --- INCLUDED for work not

related to power lines (for instance towers & substations) in Federal OSHA. Should be totally excluded in NC OSHA.

– Vehicle mounted aerial devices for lifting personnel ( JLGs, bucket trucks)– Fork lifts– Mechanic’s truck with a hoisting device when used in activities related to equipment maintenance

and repair.– Machinery that hoists by using a come-a-long or chainfall– Dedicated drilling rigs– Gin poles used for erection of communication towers– Tree trimming and tree removal– Anchor handling with a vessel or barge using an affxied A-frame– Roustabouts– Permanently installed overhead bridge and gantry cranes

• Equipment with hoisting lifting capacity of 2000 pounds or less --- many of the work practices apply but certification does not apply.

Digger Derricks

• Fed OSHA, the Standard does not cover:– “Service trucks with mobile lifting devices designed specifically

for use in the power line and electric service industries, such as digger derricks, when used in these industries for auguring holes to set power and utility poles, or handling associated materials to be installed or removed from utility poles.”

• So, digger derricks are covered for tasks NOT related to poles in Fed OSHA only:– Setting padmount transformers.

– Off loading materials.

– Work involving substations and towers.

Proposed 1926.1427Operator Qualification & Certification

• Employer must ensure that operator is either qualified or certified in accordance with one of four options.– Exemption: Qualification or certification is not required for operators of

derricks (derricks are not digger derricks); sideboom cranes; and equipment with hoisting capacity less than 2000 pounds.

Option 1: Certification

• Be certified by an accredited crane operator testing organization.

– Currently offering certification: NCCCO, NACB, Crane Institute.

• Written and practical test required.

• Operators would get training somewhere else (i.e. in-house).

• This certification is portable.

• Must be renewed every 5 years.

Option 2: Qualification

• Operators can be qualified by an audited employer program.

• Written and practical tests are required.

– Must be developed by an accredited testing organization OR approved by an auditor.

• Tests shall be administered under circumstances approved by auditor.

• Auditor shall be certified to evaluate administration of the tests by an accredited crane operator testing organization.

• The auditor cannot be an employee.

• Employer program shall be audited within 3 months of inception and every 3 years after.

• If auditor identifies deficiencies, he shall report them to OSHA within 15 days.

• The qualification is NOT portable and must be renewed every 5 years.

Options 3 and 4

• Qualification by the U.S. Military.

• Licensing by a government entity.

– Not specified – could be similar to New York State licensing requirements.

Pre-qualification/certification period

• An employee who is not qualified/certified by one of the 4 options is permitted to operate ONLY under this circumstances:

– Trainee shall be provided with sufficient training to operate safely.

– Tasks performed shall be within the trainee’s ability.

– Trainee shall be continuously supervised by a certified operator.

Phase-in

• Qualification/certification becomes required four years after the regulation is finalized in Federal OSHA.

• Until then the following is required:

– Operators must be competent.

– Operators shall be provided with necessary training.

Power Line SafetyImpact on Utilities as Owners of Power Lines & Operator of Cranes

• Up to 350 kv - Trigger Distance for these actions is 20 feet.

• Over 350 kv -- Trigger Distance for these actions is 50 feet.

• These are responsibilities of the crane operator employer:– Define the work zone.

– Make a power line hazard assessment.

– If any part of crane can get closer than trigger distance (20/50 ft) take additional steps. Select Option 1, 2, or 3:

• Option 1: Have the lines de-energized and visibly grounded at the worksite.

• Option 2: Maintain minimum clearance distance of 20/50 feet AND implement the "encroachment prevention measures". .

• Option 3: Maintain distances in Table A. Employer has to determine the line's voltage by asking the utility owner/operator. Util ity has to provide that information within 2 working days of request. This is equivalent to old "10 foot rule". This a lsorequires implementing the "encroachment prevention measures."

• If Options 2 or 3 are selected, these “encroachment prevention measures” are required by the crane operator employer:– Conduct a planning meeting.

– Use non-conductive tag lines.

– Use elevated warning lines, barricades or line of signs.

– In addition to the 3 measures above, also select one of these measures (NOT required for utilities operating cranes):

• Use a proximity alarm

• Use dedicated spotter.

• Use a device that automatically warns the operator to stop (range control warning device)

• Use device that l imits range of movement.

• Use an insulating link/device.

• New? Utilities in states with Overhead High Voltage Line Safety Acts may be required to provide voltage information now. 20/50 feet is new.

Power Line SafetyNew rules allowing crane operators to get closer than the “10 foot rule”.

For utilities – these rules apply when getting closer than the Subpart V Table distances.

• Employer must determine that it is infeasible to do work without breaching minimum approach distance under Table A. If employer determines it is infeasible to maintain the Table A distances, the employer would also have to determine, after consulting with the utility, that deenergizing and grounding, as well as relocating, the line are also infeasible.

• Employer has to establish the minimum clearance distance that must be maintained. The employer can have the utility owner/operator determine the distance or have a registered professional engineer determine the distance.

• Once minimum clearance distance has been established, employer would be required to have planning meeting with the utility or the registered professional engineer to determine what procedures will be implemented to prevent electrical contact and electrocution. These procedures will have to be documented and immediately available on-site. The procedures have to be reviewed with the crane operators and other workers in the area.

Power Line SafetyNew rules allowing crane operators to get closer than the “10 foot rule”.

For utilities – these rules apply when getting closer than the Subpart V Table distances.

• The employer’s procedures have to contain the following:1. Automatic reclosing feature has to be made inoperative prior to beginning work.2. A dedicated spotter who is in continuous contact with the operator is required.3. An elevated warning line or barricade has to be used.4. Insulating link has to be installed between end of load line and the load. 5. Any rigging closer than the 10 foot rule has to be non-conductive.6. If crane has device that automatically limits range of movement, it has to be used.7. Tag lines have to be non-conductive.8. Barricades required on ground at least 10 feet away from the crane to prevent personnel

from entering the area.9. Employees other than the operator prohibited from touching the load line above the

insulating link.10. Only personnel essential to the operation are allowed in the area.11. The crane would be required to be properly grounded. 12. Insulating line hose required to be installed by the utility except where such devices are

unavailable for the line voltages involved.

Power Line SafetyNew rules allowing crane operators to get closer than the “10 foot rule”.

For utilities – these rules apply when getting closer than the Subpart V Table distances.

• Procedures prepared to comply with paragraph d have to be documented and immediately available on site.

• The equipment user and the utility owner/operator are required to meet with the equipment operator and other employees who will be in the area of the equipment to review the procedures to prevent a breach of minimum clearance distances.

• Employer is required to implement the procedures developed above. The utility owner/operator and all employers have to identify one person who will direct the implementation of the procedures.

• The procedures developed to comply with paragraph above have to be implemented.

• Employer has to safety stop operations if a problem occurs with the procedures or if the procedures are inadequate to prevent electrocution. The employer would have to either develop new procedures or contact the utility owner/operator and have them deenergize and visibly ground or relocate the power lines before resuming operations.

Power Line Safety Rules

• Applies to utilities when crane is closer than the Subpart V table distances.

• Applies to other employers when closer than the “10 foot rule”.

Power Line Safety

• 1926.952 being revised to say for utilities:

– Except for equipment certified for work on the proper voltage, mechanical equipment shall not be operated closer to an energized line than the Subpart V table distances unless:

• Mechanical equipment is insulated OR

• Mechanical equipment is energized

• AND:– Requirements in new 1926.1410 (Power Line Safety) are

followed.

Inspections

• More detailed inspection requirements for cranes and wire rope.

– Visual inspection each shift by a competent person.

– Documented monthly and annual inspections.

– Requirements to categorize “deficiencies” and take specified actions for types of deficiencies.

Signal person Qualification

• Signal persons shall be qualified by one of two options.– Qualified by a third party qualified evaluator.

– Qualified by the employer’s qualified evaluator.

• Signal person must know and understand type of signals used. – Must be competent in the application of signals.

– Must demonstrate knowledge through a verbal or written AND a practical test.

Other Issues

• Ground conditions.

• New training requirements.

• Rules for lifting personnel with cranes.

• Qualification of maintenance and repair employees.

• Rules for assembly and disassembly of cranes.

• Requirements for cranes on barges.

Other State Licensing Requirements

• New rulemaking in Maryland and North Carolina.