702 - Cranes and Other Lifting Equipment
- Refer to NMP-MA-007 Rigging and Lifting and its instructions for additional information regarding lifting equipment and cranes.
- Only qualified and authorized personnel shall operate hoisting equipment.
- The “Load Impact Area” is an exclusion area
adjacent to the li feet area that may be affected by a load drop, swing, slide,
or bounce. A Load Impact Area shall be created for cranes and other lifting
equipment.
NOTE: Load Impact Areas for mobile cranes shall be designated as danger areas. (See section 206.) - Unauthorized personnel shall not enter the Load Impact Area. All authorized personnel and critical equipment in this area need to be considered when developing a Safe Load Path or Li feet Plan.
- Personnel shall not be permitted to ride the hook, sling, ball, or attached load of any hoisting equipment.
- Prior to the use of man baskets and other specially designed work platforms suspended by a crane or a hoist, appropriate test lifts shall be performed and documented.
- Load limits of hoisting equipment as specified by the manufacturer shall be posted and shall not be exceeded except for test purposes.
- The crane and hoist manufacturers’ operating, maintenance and inspection procedures shall be followed, and permanent inspection records maintained.
- Personnel shall not stand or work under a suspended load or between the load and the lifting device.
- Personnel shall not place a body part under a suspended load unless a Formal Li feet Plan (Figure 6 of NMP-MA-007-001) has been completed.
- Personnel shall avoid standing or working near a cable, chain, or rope under tension except when using a chain fall or TUGIT (come along).
- Winch lines, ropes, or wire cables shall not be guided by hand when standing within reach of the drum or sheaves.
- Operators shall not leave the controls of cranes or other lifting equipment while the load is suspended.
- Operators shall not carry a load over people.
- The counterweight swing radius of all cranes shall be physically marked or barricaded to prevent personnel from entering the swing radius area.
- Operators of cranes and other hoisting equipment shall exercise extreme caution when operating or transiting within 25 feet of non-insulated energized overhead lines or equipment. Appropriate consideration shall be given to grounding or isolating cranes/hoisting equipment or insulating overhead lines when such equipment is within 25 feet of non-insulated energized overhead lines.
- A minimum clearance of 10 feet shall be maintained between conductive parts of a crane/hoisting equipment and non-insulated energized overhead lines or equipment. If the voltage is greater than 50 kV, the clearance distance increases an additional 4 in. for every 10 kV over 50 kV.
- Crane booms shall be appropriately secured when unattended for periods of one shift or more. It is not normally necessary to lower the boom to the ground unless severe weather is anticipated. The crane manufacturer's recommendations regarding securing unattended cranes shall always be followed.
- When moving a crane at traveling speed, empty hooks shall be lashed or otherwise restrained so they cannot swing freely. For specifics on crane/block restraints, refer to NMP-MA-007-004.
- Tag lines shall be used on loads being moved by hoists or cranes to prevent swinging or twisting of loads unless the load can be fully controlled by other means or their use creates an unsafe condition.
- Only the qualified and designated flagman shall give hand signals to the equipment operator and only standard signals shall be used. The equipment operator shall obey a STOP signal given by anyone.
- The designated flagman for a crane or other lifting equipment shall wear a brightly colored vest and gloves when using hand signals. Gloves and vest shall be of different colors to ensure the operator, workers, and potential observers can easily identify who is directing the crane movements.
- Telephones, radios, or equivalent means are acceptable methods of communication to control the movement of cranes and hoists. Whenever possible, line-of-sight shall be maintained between the operator and flagman so that crane movements can be quickly stopped in the event of voice communication failure.
- Continued operation of cranes or other hoisting equipment shall be evaluated in the event of inclement weather, such as lightning, strong winds, and icy conditions.
- Special attention shall be given to the condition of the surface supporting outrigger feet. Saturated soil may not support concentrated loads. Suitable mats shall be used to spread the load over a larger area.
- All vehicles equipped with outriggers and/or stabilizers and where pads are provided shall have pads placed under outriggers and stabilizers when they are lowered. All outriggers and/or stabilizers shall be extended and lowered in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions prior to performing a li feet and/or moving the boom to an approved travel position.