Hydraulic Crane Safety

Hydraulic Cranes Can be stationary or attached to trucks, trains and boats Can be stationary or attached to trucks, trains and boats Lift capacities in excess of 1,000 tons Lift capacities in excess of 1,000 tons

Hydraulic Cranes Cranes represent the largest cause of injury in construction today Cranes represent the largest cause of injury in construction today Consider the following accident statistics Consider the following accident statistics

Cranes contribute to as many as one third of all construction and maintenance fatalities and injuries resulting in permanent disabilities Cranes contribute to as many as one third of all construction and maintenance fatalities and injuries resulting in permanent disabilities 1.4 deaths per 1,000 operators over the past 45 years 1.4 deaths per 1,000 operators over the past 45 years Operators consist of 13% of all victims in crane related fatalities Operators consist of 13% of all victims in crane related fatalities From cranes are associated with 306 construction fatalities (16.1% of all construction fatalities From cranes are associated with 306 construction fatalities (16.1% of all construction fatalities Hydraulic Cranes

1996 OSHA study of 502 crane related fatalities identified causes of death as Electrocution (39%) Electrocution (39%) Crane assembly/dismantling (12%) Crane assembly/dismantling (12%) Boom buckling/collapse (8%) Boom buckling/collapse (8%) Crane upset/overturn (7%) Crane upset/overturn (7%) Rigging failure (7%) Rigging failure (7%) Other (27%) Other (27%)

OSHA Standards §§ A thorough, annual inspection of the hoisting machinery shall be made by a competent person A thorough, annual inspection of the hoisting machinery shall be made by a competent person All employees shall be kept clear of loads about to be lifted and suspended loads All employees shall be kept clear of loads about to be lifted and suspended loads

Power Lines Minimum clearance between the lines and any part of the crane or load shall be 10 feet Minimum clearance between the lines and any part of the crane or load shall be 10 feet Add 0.4 inches for each 1 kV over 50 kV Add 0.4 inches for each 1 kV over 50 kV

Crane Signals Hand signals to crane and derrick operators shall be those prescribed by the applicable ANSI standard for the type of crane in use 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 An illustration of the signals shall be posted at the job site

Crane Signals

Inspection Items Operating Manual Operating Manual Machine Guarding Machine Guarding Swing Clearance Protection Swing Clearance Protection High Voltage Warnings High Voltage Warnings Boom/Jib Boom Stops Boom/Jib Boom Stops Boom Angle Locator Boom Angle Locator Boom Hoist Disconnects Boom Hoist Disconnects Anti-Two Block Devices Anti-Two Block Devices Power Controlled Lowering Power Controlled Lowering Leveling Indicator Devices Leveling Indicator Devices

Inspection Items Sheaves Sheaves Main Hoist and Auxiliary Drums Main Hoist and Auxiliary Drums Main Boom/Jib Boom Extensions Main Boom/Jib Boom Extensions Hooks/Hook Block Hooks/Hook Block Hydraulics Hydraulics Outriggers Outriggers Load Rating Chart Load Rating Chart Wire Rope Wire Rope Cab Cab

Hydraulic Cranes Careful consideration must be used when planning a lift Careful consideration must be used when planning a lift –Identify potential hazards inside the cranes radius –Make sure hoists/slings are secured –The operator should be able to see the spotter throughout the entire lift

Hydraulic Crane Safety