Crane Operation: Preparation & Responsibilities

• A knot reduces a rope's strength by 50%

Splices

• A splice retains approximately 85% to 90% of the rope's original strength

Rope Terminology

• The running end is the part of the rope used to tie a knot
• The standing part is the section of rope not used in tying a knot, typically the long, unused portion being worked upon
• The bight is formed by bending the rope and keeping the sides parallel, also considered the working part of the rope

Basic Knots

• A half hitch is a basic knot used for fastening to an object for a right-angle pull

Problematic Knots

• A granny knot can easily slip or jam

Secure Knots

• A square or reef knot joins two dry ropes of similar size
• It also ties the two ends of a rope

Specialized Hitches

• A pipe hitch should be employed for hoisting pipe or tubing using a straight rope instead of a rope sling

Unsuitable Knots for Hoisting

• A clove hitch should not hoist pipe because it is a fixed know which will not tighten under strain

Secure Loops

• A bowline knot forms a loop that will not slip under strain and is easily untied

Hook Attachment

• The catspaw knot attaches a hook, such as a tackle block, at any point on a rope

Stepladders

• The most commonly used ladder, available as single or double
• Double stepladders have steps on both sides for two-way access

Platform Ladders

• Provides a large standing surface for working at a fixed height, for a safer and more comfortable working condition

Ladder Maintenance

• Wooden ladders should not be painted but preserved with a transparent protective coating

Ladder Inspection and Use

• Ladders require inspection before each use
• Workers should not stand on the top two rungs, steps, or cleats
• Employers must ensure fall protection is used for workers on portable ladders where a fall of 10' (3 m) or more is possible
• Side rails of a portable ladder must extend at least 1 m (3'-3 3/8") above a platform, landing, or parapet, when used for access

Safe Ladder Practices

• Workers must maintain three-point contact when reaching beyond a side rail
• Ladders extending above a roof line or platform should be secured at the top
• Use fiberglass ladders near electricity or overhead power lines
• Ladders should be placed ¼ of the height from the base of the building

Scaffolding Systems

• Tubular framed scaffold systems
• Tube and clamp framed elevated work platforms

Scaffold Variations and Usage

• The standard walk-through frame scaffold is a variation of the standard tubular frame type, designed to accommodate pedestrian traffic at ground level
• The tube and clamp scaffold system is used where obstructions or non-rectangular structures are present

Scaffold Components

• Castors, base plates, and screw jacks are common base types
• A mud sill is required under the base plate or screw jack
• Cross bracing is required on both sides of the frame and should be straight

Safety Features

• Toeboards prevent tools and materials from falling, anchored with one tie-in for each 15'-0" (4.6 meters) vertical or 21'-0" (6.4 meters) horizontal interval

Scaffold Load and Stability

• Scaffold designs and construction must support at least four times the imposed load
• Freestanding or rolling scaffold height should not exceed 3 times the smallest base dimension
• Workers should not remain on a moving rolling scaffold unless the work platform's height is less than twice the shortest base dimension
• Guardrails must have a horizontal top member at least 36" (0.92 m) to 42" (1.07 m) above the base of the guardrail
• The space between the toeboard and work surface should not exceed 0.25" (6 mm)

Toe Board Placement

• Employers must install toe boards at the outer edge above the work area, specifically on permanent floors, platforms, mezzanines, walkways, ramps, and runways where:
• Guardrails are installed
• Materials can fall more than 6'

Aerial Work Platforms

• Vertical lift
• Boom lift platforms
• Powered scissor lifts
• Boom-supported aerial work platforms

Crane operation has a high potential for disaster

• Accidents with cranes are costly
• Personnel in crane operations need to understand their jobs, responsibilities, and safety contributions

Preparation and Responsibilities

• Preparation begins with clearly defined responsibilities for all parties including owners, operators, site supervision, and workers
• Riggers must be trained and experienced in establishing weights, judging distances, selecting suitable hardware, and rigging
• Signalers must be competent in directing the crane and load, with knowledge of hand signals
• Crane operators are responsible for safety after the load is lifted, and must report concerns to supervisors until safe conditions are confirmed

Crane Owner Responsibilities

• Must ensure safe and suitable equipment
• Ensure competent and aware operators
• Maintenance, repair, transport, assembly, and trained personnel
• Training, upgrades, and clear responsibilities for each crew
• Thorough equipment maintenance and inspection programs including logbooks
• Ensuring client and site supervision awareness of responsibilities
• Maintenance and inspection of equipment to manufacturer's and regulations requirements

Operator Responsibilities

• An operator is responsible for the safety of the crane once the load is lifted
• They must know the crane model's characteristics, functions, and limitations
• They must have knowledge of the crane's operating manual and load chart
• They must be capable of calculating the crane’s net capacity in all configurations
• Proper inspection and maintenance procedures must be known and followed along with site conditions
• Understanding of basic load rigging procedures is essential
• Operators must also inform the owner of any machine problems in writing and record all inspections and maintenance in the logbook
• Confirm site readiness, review plans, know load and rigging weights to determine hoist line parts and ensure crane capacity
• Select the best equipment configuration for the load, site, and lift conditions
• Take responsibility for assembling, setting up, and rigging the crane properly
• Follow manufacturer instructions, consider factors reducing capacity, maintain communication with signalers, keep the oiler safe, and operate in a smooth, controlled manner

Site Supervision

• They are responsible for lift operations and planning
• Tasks include supervising crane work, determining load weight and radius, ensuring rigging crew experience, supervising rigging, and ensuring the load is rigged properly
• Signalers must be capable, designated, and identified
• The rigging crew and involved personnel must also be safe
• Keep the public and non essential personnel clear
• The movement of personnel must be controlled and precautions taken near powerlines
• All personnel must understand their jobs, responsibilities, and their roles

Mobile Crane Characteristics

• They include adjustable boom lengths and angles
• They have the capacity to lift and lower loads
• They can swing loads and travel on the job site
• There exists boom trucks, industrial cranes, carrier-mounted lattice boom cranes, crawler-mounted lattice boom cranes
• There also exists carrier-mounted telescopic boom cranes, crawler-mounted telescopic boom cranes, rough terrain cranes, mobile tower cranes, and heavy lift mobile cranes

Boom Trucks

• Unlike other mobiles, they are mounted on commercially reinforced truck chassis of respectable capacity and boom length
• Two common configurations exist which are telescoping boom and knuckle boom

Industrial Cranes

• Intended for industrial locations with better working surfaces
• Characteristics generally match telescopic boom mobiles
• These cranes have low centers of gravity and can operate in narrow aisles without outriggers

Carrier-Mounted Lattice Boom Cranes

• Carriers of this kind are specially designed for crane service

Crawler-Mounted Lattice Boom Cranes

• The upper-works are similar to carrier-mounted units except for the base and load ratings

Carrier-Mounted Telescopic Boom Cranes

• Mounted on specially designed carriers, can be equipped with jibs and boom extensions stowed on the heel section of the main boom

Crawler-Mounted Telescopic Boom Cranes

• The upper-works are identical to carrier-mounted telescopic boom units while the bases and loading differ

Rough Terrain Cranes

• Have oversized tires for construction sites and broken ground with short wheel bases
• They utilize crab steering for maneuverability in pick and carry operations with the same restrictions as other cranes
• These cranes are available with either full power booms or pinned booms as well as jibs and boom extensions

Heavy Lift Mobile Cranes

• Cranes combine features of derricks and lattice boom mobile cranes
• These cranes employ large extended counterweights, masts, and roller rings to move the boom's fulcrum and crane tipping axis further from the center of gravity

Tower Cranes

• They feature concrete weights to balance loads, with cables support the jib which is the working arm
• They have operator cabins, trolleys and pulleys supported by a vertical column

Crane Operating Hazards

• Over 50% of mobile crane accidents are related to setup
• Accidents can be reduced by following manufacturer’s recommendations for assembly, using correct parts, and observing precautions

Signaling

• Signaling is an important part of crane operation
• Signalers must be used if the operator cannot see the load, landing area, or path, is too far to judge distance, or is working near powerlines
• Where loads are picked up and lowered in different locations, two signalers may be needed
• Hand signals should be used when the distance between the operator and the signaler isn't great under clear visibility
• Communication between operator and signaler through telephone or radio is effective