OSHA and Cranes

[BKS60]

Swinging a replacemeny package unit yestarday and the crane operator said OSHA has new rules requiring the riggers and spotters to be certified. If not the crane company and the contractor will be fined.

Have not had to do this localy before in this part of the country has anyone else run into this.

[yellowirenut]

we are our own riggers and spotters.....this is new to me. If it is so i would like to know.

[jpsmith1cm]

We were notified of this about a week ago.

I'm waiting for the next certification class.

If I recall correctly, it was effective Nov 8, but I know that it is effective now.

[yellowirenut]

link of rules? i need to show the other guys and the boss this

[BKS60]

We are checking to see if the hall is going to run some certification classes. It will take a large romm if they do. The crane outfit is grandfathered in but if we are not then we have to have them send a rigger/spotter out at an additional charge.

Customers pricing is going up again!!!

[BKS60]

If I can get my hands on the notice from OSHA the operator had I'll post or maybe someone allready has it.

[al o]

went to the classes a few weeks ago at chicagoland construction safety council,osha requires signal personnel and spotters to be trained, there is no ruling on rigging, osha should worry a little more about issues like roof access instead of common sense stuff, its bull when were required to be harnessed & tied off on all roofs no matter how close you are to an edge or required to wear arc flash gloves & suits any time were servicing circuits above 50 volts, way to much government for my life! theyre just handing out fines to larger established contractors for the money.

[flange]

there was a thread on here about a month or so ago about this, and yes it is true. ua is developing a night course as i understand it. i got a crane lift scheduled for monday, i will ask crane company about it

[drivewizard]

The way I read the OSHA brief was that if lift was out of visual range of crane operator a certified signalman was required. THe signalman certification needs to be done by a 3rd party.
If Contractor does not have a certified signalman, then Crane Co. must supply, or can supply. For extra $$ Iam sure.

The Rigger does not have to be certified, but has to be a "competent" person. "Competent" is defined by the Co you work for. So this seems to be a grey area of the new rules.
I would assume that your Co would need to define in writing what determines a "competent" Rigger.

Get used to it guys, the harder it is for the Government to stay Revenue Neutral the more Laws and Regs you are going to see. It is not all bad, everybody here I am sure is probably qualified, but we don't see the idiots out there that are rigging 10-20,000 lb equip over occupied buildings. And using chain bought at Walmart! On Sale!

[rtu]

Here's a link from one of the crane companys we use
has alot of the info on it with osha links too

http://www.ccgroup-inc.com/site/osha_crane_standard.html

OSHA Crane Standard 1926.1400

Qualified Signalperson § 1926.1419 Signals – general requirements.

(a) A signal person must be provided in each of the following situations:

(1) The point of operation, meaning the load travel or the area near or at load placement, is not in full view of the operator.

(2) When the equipment is traveling, the view in the direction of travel is obstructed.

(3) Due to site specific safety concerns, either the operator or the person handling the load determines that it is necessary.

§ 1926.1428 Signal person qualifications.

(a) 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. This requirement must be met by using either Option (1) or Option (2) of this section.

(1) Option (1) – Third party qualified evaluator. The signal person has documentation from a third party qualified evaluator (see Qualified Evaluator (third party), § 1926.1401 for definition) showing that the signal person meets the Qualification Requirements (see paragraph (c) of this section).

(2) Option (2) – Employer’s qualified evaluator. The employer’s qualified (see Qualified Evaluator (not a third party), § 1926.1401 for definition) evaluator assesses the individual and determines that the individual meets the Qualification Requirements (see paragraph (c) of this section) and provides documentation of that determination. An assessment by an employer’s qualified evaluator under this option is not portable – other employers are not permitted to use it to meet the requirements of this section.

(3) The employer must make the documentation for whichever option is used available at the site while the signal person is employed by the employer. The documentation must specify each type of signaling (e.g. hand signals, radio signals, etc.) for which the signal person meets the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section.

(b) If subsequent actions by the signal person indicate that the individual does not meet the Qualification Requirements (see paragraph (c) of this section), the employer must not allow the individual to continue working as a signal person until re-training is provided and a re-assessment is made in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section that confirms that the individual meets the Qualification Requirements.

(c) Qualification Requirements. Each signal person must:

(1) Know and understand the type of signals used. If hand signals are used, the signal person must know and understand the Standard Method for hand signals.

(2) Be competent in the application of the type of signals used.

(3) Have a basic understanding of equipment operation and limitations, including the crane dynamics involved in swinging and stopping loads and boom deflection from hoisting loads.

(4) Know and understand the relevant requirements of § 1926.1419 through § 1926.1422 and § 1926.1428.

(5) Demonstrate that he/she meets the requirements in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this section through an oral or written test, and through a practical test.

[Lash]

I just got certified last week as a 'qualified rigger and signal person'.


And yes.... this is going to be one of OSHA's points of interest very soon.

[local553]

have it in illinois first pick was about a week ago. signal man has to be certified and riggers. have to rope off area . if 40 ft of stick is out have to rope off diamiter. crazy.

[sweat hog]

:patriot:One important point in the new rules. Key word "construction". Repair and maintanance do not seem to be involved. Example; Your can use your truck mounted crane at a contstruction site to replace a roof unit on the mobile construction trailer without crane cert.
Large or dedicated cranes that can not haul cargo have required certification for many years.
Now it is any crane involved in new "construction".
I am not building it sir" I am fixing it.
If the operator can not see the load. I am sure a signalman is required.

[supertek65]

hmmmmmmmmmmmm interesting???????????

[acjourneyman]

I will go one step farther and say I heard that anyone operating a chain fall, IE doing teardowns may have to be certified. ANd we wonder why China is booming and 20 million are unemployed here.

[Lash]

:patriot:One important point in the new rules. Key word "construction". Repair and maintanance do not seem to be involved. Example; Your can use your truck mounted crane at a contstruction site to replace a roof unit on the mobile construction trailer without crane cert.
Large or dedicated cranes that can not haul cargo have required certification for many years.
Now it is any crane involved in new "construction".
I am not building it sir" I am fixing it.
If the operator can not see the load. I am sure a signalman is required.

I think you're wrong about that. Even a forklift with a jib attachment is now considered a crane and requires a certified operator. If you're putting lifting slings on the forks to lift a small unit it's now considered a crane, new construction or not. New construction, maint., and repair aren't even listed as differences in the new standard.


A signalman is ALWAYS required no matter if the load can be seen or not.

[Lash]

I will go one step farther and say I heard that anyone operating a chain fall, IE doing teardowns may have to be certified. ANd we wonder why China is booming and 20 million are unemployed here.

Yeah, I think the rigging cert. covers that.

[flange]

spoke to my guy today. rule went in effect nov 8. right now the focus is on operators getting trained as it hit quickly, then third party training for contractors. for now, documents showing hand signals prior to lift are being issued.

[sweat hog]

I think you're wrong about that. Even a forklift with a jib attachment is now considered a crane and requires a certified operator. If you're putting lifting slings on the forks to lift a small unit it's now considered a crane, new construction or not. New construction, maint., and repair aren't even listed as differences in the new standard.



A signalman is ALWAYS required no matter if the load can be seen or not.

OHSA rules are minimum guidlines that the states must meet or exceed, they are often exceeded by the states so you may find about anything out there.
Forklift training is mandatory here and probably federal law. Using a forklift for a crane is legal only if approved by the manufacturer.
Here is a link to NCCCO Q&A very specific about construction. Many states will probably take it further.
http://www.nccco.org/news/OSHARuleFAQs.html#CO

[hmscool]

here in owemaryland we had to go to rigging certification then go to signalman certification to be able to have a crane on jobs. the crane co could supply them for additional charges on top of quote for job. just more money makers from gov i guess. crane oper. said they can get fined in the 6 digits if found non-compliant. we have to carry cards around.:couch:

[Little NATE]

Same here in North Carolina !