This document summarizes safety standards and incidents related to cranes from 2016 to 2018. It includes summaries of crane collapses or accidents in several locations over this period that resulted in injuries or fines for safety violations. It also lists OSHA regulations regarding inspections, operations, and safety procedures that must be followed when working with cranes, such as having qualified inspectors and signal persons, following load charts and manufacturer procedures, and maintaining clearance from power lines.

1. OSHA Office of Training & Education 1
Safety Standards for Cranes
Only standards cited 5 times were
included
Draft 10 30 2018

2. Feb 2018
Washington DC
One hurt.

3. Sep 2017 Flatbed carrying crane hits I96
overpass in MI

4. July 2016
• Tarrytown NY
• Cuomo said the crane
that collapsed had been
using a vibratory
hammer to drive in
pilings when it "had an
issue" that caused its
boom to fall onto the
existing bridge nearby.
• Manitowoc MLC 300
Soft spot for the pile?

5. Jan 2017

6. May 2016
• Court of Appeals affirm Mountain States for a
willful violation of the Occupational Safety
and Health Act's wire rope inspection
standard.
• According to Category II of the wire rope
inspection standard, a crane must be taken
out of service and repaired if a cable has
“visible broken wires.”
• Citation and assessed a $60,000 penalty.
• 1926.1413(a)(2)(ii)(A)(1)
• In running wire ropes: Six
randomly distributed broken wires
in one rope lay or three broken
wires in one strand in one rope lay,
where a rope lay is the length
along the rope in which one strand
makes a complete revolution
around the rope

7. February 2016

8. Aftermath
• "The new rules would require crawler cranes to stop operating and go into safety
mode under two scenarios: when there is a forecast for steady wind speeds of 20
miles per hour or higher or gusts of at least 30 m.p.h., and when actual readings
reach those levels.
• Previously, such cranes could operate until measured wind speeds reached 30
m.p.h. or gusts increased to 40 m.p.h., though individual manufacturers
sometimes set stricter standards.“
• “Mr. Reilly had failed to secure the crane the night before the crash and lowered the boom of the
crane at an improper angle, causing the crane to become unstable, officials said. “

9. Mar 2016
• Florida
• The crane tipped over, nose
forward, just before 2 p.m.
• A worker on site who declined
to give his name said it snagged
on something as it drilled into
the ground.
• 130-foot crane.

10. Oct 2015
• Atlanta GA

11. July 2015
• A Manhattan jury awarded almost
$50 million in damages Thursday
to the families of two construction
workers who died in a May 30,
2008 crane collapse on E. 91 St.
• An email from the Chinese
company, RTR Bearing, to one of
Mr. Lomma’s employees.
• “The email said RTR could not
stand behind the safety of the
bearing, especially a weld holding
it to a spacer ring. “Honestly
speaking, we don’t have
confidence on this welding,”
Last August, DOB moved to shut him
down for a pattern of safety violations.
Lomma is fighting them.

12. 9
10
11
12
18
1412(d)(1)
1412(e)(3)(i)
1417(c)(1)
1428(a)
1412(f)(1)
Cranes and Derricks in Construction
[1926.1400 – 1442]
12
INSPECTION DOCUMENTED & MAINTAINED
SHIFT INSPECTIONS BY A COMPETENT PERSON
EQUIPMENT INSPECTION EVERY 12 MONTHS
SIGN PERSON QUALIFICATIONS
OPERATION PROCEDURES OF EQUIPMENT
SUBPARTCC

13. Power Line Safety
• Determine if any part of the
equipment, load line or load
(including rigging and lifting
accessories), if operated up to
the equipment's maximum
working radius in the work zone,
could get closer than 20 feet to a
power line.
1926.1408(a)(2)

14. Power Line Safety
• Option (1)--Deenergize and
ground. Confirm from the utility
owner/operator that the power
line has been deenergized and
visibly grounded at the worksite.
1926.1408(a)(2)

15. Power Line Safety
• Option (2)--20 foot clearance.
Ensure that no part of the
equipment, load line, or load
(including rigging and lifting
accessories), gets closer than 20
feet to the power line by
implementing the measures
specified in paragraph (b) of this
section.
1926.1408(a)(2)

16. Power Line Safety
• Option (3)-- Determine the line's
voltage and the minimum
approach distance permitted
under Table A
1926.1408(a)(2)

17. Power Line Safety
• Option (2) or Option (3) of this
section, all of the following
requirements must be met
• Conduct a planning meeting
• Erect and maintain an elevated
warning line, barricade, or line of
signs
• Implement at least one of the
following measures: proximity alarm,
dedicated spotter, device that
automatically warns the operator
when to stop movement, device that
automatically limits range of
movement, OR insulating link/device
1926.1408(b)
Barricades with spotters. Meeting conducted before
lift.

18. Power Line Safety
• Issue?
1926.1408(b)
St. Louis Aug 2015

19. Inspections
• A competent person must begin
a visual inspection prior to each
shift the equipment will be used,
which must be completed before
or during that shift.
1926.1412(d)(1)

20. Each Shift Inspection
• Apparent deficiencies
• Control and Drive mechanisms
• Hydraulics
• Hooks
• Wire Rope
• Electrical
• Ground Conditions
• Levelness of the crane
• Operator view
• All Safety Devices
• Operational Aids are working
1926.1412 (d)

21. Inspections
• Each month the equipment is in
service it must be inspected in
accordance with paragraph (d)
of this section
1926.1412(e)(1)

22. Inspections
• The following information must be
documented and maintained by
the employer that conducts the
inspection:
• The items checked and the results
of the inspection.
• The name and signature of the
person who conducted the
inspection and the date.
• This document must be retained
for a minimum of three months.
1926.1412(e)(3)(i)

23. Inspections
• At least every 12 months the
equipment must be inspected by
a qualified person
1926.1412(f)(1)

24. Inspections
• The equipment must be annually
inspected for all of the following:
• Equipment structure (including the
boom and, if equipped, the jib):
• Structural members: Deformed,
cracked, or significantly corroded.
• Bolts, rivets and other fasteners:
loose, failed or significantly
corroded.
• Welds for cracks.
• And many more………..
1926.1412(f)(2)

25. Operations
• The employer must comply with
all manufacturer procedures
applicable to the operational
functions of equipment,
including its use with
attachments.
1926.1417(a)

26. Operations
• The procedures applicable to the
operation of the equipment,
including rated capacities (load
charts), recommended operating
speeds, special hazard warnings,
instructions, and operator's
manual, must be readily
available in the cab at all times
for use by the operator.
1926.1417(c)(1)

27. Operations
• Whenever there is a concern as
to safety, the operator must
have the authority to stop and
refuse to handle loads until a
qualified person has determined
that safety has been assured.
1926.1418

28. Operations
• During operations requiring
signals, the ability to transmit
signals between the operator
and signal person must be
maintained. If that ability is
interrupted at any time, the
operator must safely stop
operations requiring signals until
it is reestablished and a proper
signal is given and understood.
1926.1419(f)

29. Operations
• The employer of the signal
person must ensure that each
signal person meets the
Qualification Requirements
(paragraph (c) of this section)
prior to giving any signals
1926.1428(a)

30. Operations
• The employer must make the
documentation for whichever
option is used available at the
site while the signal person is
employed by the employer
1926.1428(a)(3)

31. Mats

32. Load
Charts

33. Questions?