Safe Operations of Cranes, Hoists and Truck Hoists

Safe Operations of Cranes, Hoists and Truck Hoists

Lifting equipment come in all shapes and sizes to make your lifting job easier. However, using the equipment improperly can cause breakdowns and damage to company property. You or your co-workers can also be seriously injured Your Safety is the #1 Priority on any job. This program is to be used to ensure a safe working environment during lifting operations utilizing proper equipment.

Purpose: Overhead cranes, hoists, and rigging equipment are used by Universal Compression employees for lifting and moving materials. In order to maintain a safe workplace for it’s employees, only qualified individuals shall operate these devices. This program outlines the procedures for safe operations and the training requirements regarding overhead cranes, hoists and rigging equipment.

Requirements: General Requirements Inspection Requirements Operational Procedure Requirements Training requirements

General Requirements: This program applies to overhead cranes including wall cranes, (jib cranes) and others having the same fundamental characteristics. Only designated employees trained in crane and hoist safety shall operate cranes covered by this program. All cranes in service and utilized by Universal Compression shall meet, as a minimum, the design specifications of the American National Standard Safety Code for Overhead and Gantry Cranes, ANSI B30.2.0-1967.

General Requirements (cont.) Each crane shall have the load rating plainly marked on each side of the crane. If the crane has more than one hoisting unit, each hoist shall have its load rating marked on it or its load block and this marking shall be clearly legible from the ground floor. All cranes shall be locked and tagged out while repairs are in progress to them or any other equipment or building structure that may have personnel or equipment in their path.

Inspections: General Inspections Initial Inspections Daily Inspections Monthly Inspections Annual Inspections Inspections on idle and standby cranes

General Inspections: Cranes and hoists that have been overloaded shall have a General Inspection performed prior to being returned to service.

Initial Inspection: Initial inspection and test shall be performed by a qualified third party. Prior to initial use, any and all new and altered cranes shall be inspected and tested to ensure compliance with the provisions of 29 CFR1910.179 and ABSI B30.2. Only after determining, by this inspection, testing and proper documentation, that the crane is in safe operating condition shall it be put into service.

Daily Inspections: Daily inspections shall be performed by the crane operator prior to beginning shift and through observation during normal operation. All deficiencies shall be documented and examined by qualified personnel to determine if they constitute a safety hazard.

Monthly Inspections: Monthly inspections shall include all items from the daily inspections and shall be documented with a certification record which includes the signature of the qualified person who performed the inspection, the date, and identifier (serial number, unit number, etc.) for each piece of equipment.

Annual Inspections: At least annually, a periodic inspection of all equipment covered by this program shall be inspected by a qualified third party.

Inspections Inspections are to be completed and documented. Documentation is to be filed at the local or regional office. If the inspection has not been documented then it never happened.

Idle and Standby Cranes: A crane that has been idle for one to six months shall have a daily inspection performed before placing it into service. – Additionally the periodic annual inspection is required, if the last annual inspection is more than 12 months old. A crane idle for more than six months shall have the monthly inspection completed before placing it into service.

Retention of Inspections: All inspection records shall be retained at the facility where each crane, hoist or other equipment covered by this program is located. All maintenance and repair records shall be retained for the life of the equipment.

Operational Procedures: Only qualified designated personnel shall operate cranes and equipment covered by this program. Operators shall comply with the following safety rules while operating cranes and hoists: (see notes)

Operational Procedures (cont) At the start of each work shift, operators shall do the following steps before making lifts with any crane or hoist: (see notes) Moving a load (see notes) Parking a crane or hoist (see notes)

Truck Hoist Requirements Each truck hoist shall have the load rating plainly marked on the unit. A load rating chart shall be clearly legible, attached to the truck hoist, and shall be located in view of the operator while at the controls. Make certain the crane is installed per factory specifications The vehicle shall comply with the hoist manufacturer’s recommendation for size and GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Requirement)

Truck Hoist Requirements (cont) The vehicle shall be equipped with appropriately sized outriggers/jacklegs as per the hoist manufacturer’s recommendations. The maximum lifting capacity rating must be determined for each length of boom used on the hoist. Manufacturer’s load charts shall be utilized. The maximum lifting capacity rating will not exceed hoist or pulley maximum loads, and will be posted on all hoist equipped trucks where readily visible to operator from hoist controls.

Truck Hoist Requirements (cont) Boom tie-downs must be used when the vehicle is in motion. A routine inspection of the crane is mandatory before each operation. Monthly inspections shall be documented using the truck hoist inspection checklist (found in Safety Manual). Annual inspections and certifications may be required to comply with customer requirements. The operator must be familiar with and trained on lifting equipment before being allowed to operate the unit.

Truck Hoist Safety Tips & Precautions Employees assigned to duties requiring the operations of truck hoists are responsible to: – Become familiar with and store in vehicle, the owners manual from the manufacturer of the truck hoist. – Make the required inspections, – Ensure that the truck hoist is maintained, – Ensure that all personnel working in the area around the crane are kept clear of all hazards related to hoist operations. – Determine the weights, and correct rigging required for loads to be lifted

Truck Hoist Safety Tips & Precautions Make certain the vehicle meets minimum chassis requirements. (These requirements do not guarantee unit stability.) All load ratings are based on crane capacity. THESE CRANES CAN LIFT ENOUGH TO TURN THE TRUCK OVER! NEVER wrap cable around load. REMEMBER in lifting a heavy load, the weight can create enough tipping moment to overturn the vehicle. NEVER attempt to lift or drag a load from the side. The boom can fail far below its capacity.

Truck Hoist Safety Tips & Precautions NEVER hold any pendant Select switch on that will negate safe operation conditions. At the job site, the vehicle shall be positioned so that the crane can adequately reach the load within the rated capacity of the truck hoist (centerline of rotation to hoist hook). Keep the vehicle as level as possible during operation.

Truck Hoist Safety Tips & Precautions Engage emergency brake and turn off ignition with transmission left in gear (or park for automatic transmissions). For extended use, leave engine running with brake set and transmission in neutral or park - this will keep battery charged. ALWAYS use outriggers from the truck to the ground. Be sure these are firm and adequately positioned. ALWAYS store outriggers before road travel. Plug in pendant control or unwrap pendant cable from storage - crane is ready for operation. Always boom up before rotating so boom will clear boom support.

Truck Hoist Safety Tips & Precautions Do not move truck with a load suspended on a hoist. Before attempting to rotate the load, position suspended load as low as practical to the ground; maintain proper body position where the load can be maneuvered without placing the body in the path of travel or under the load. After lifting operation is complete, retract boom. return to stowed position on the boom support. Avoid unneeded pressure on the boom support. Store pendant control in proper location.

TAG LINES ARE REQUIRED ON ALL LIFTS. –If your service truck has a hoist, do you have available tag lines? –Can you find them? –Do you use them?