Page 4 - Crane and Rigging

Chapter 1 - Responsibilities
Cranes come in all shapes and sizes, perform a multitude of jobs, and
help increase productivity by making the worker’s job easier.
However, using a crane improperly can cause breakdowns and
product damage, as well as, causing serious personal injury.

Crane operation, to be safe and efficient, requires training, the
exercise of extreme care and good judgment, alertness and
concentration, and a rigid adherence to proven safety rules and
practices as outlined in applicable and current ANSI and OSHA safety
standards.

This training will help you reduce crane accidents and breakdowns at
your company. You will learn about inspection and safe operation of
crane and hoist equipment.

Before operating a crane, the employer first must verify that a crane operator has been certified or
qualified by a testing agency with a national accreditation. Operators should carefully read and study
the operation manual supplied with the crane by the crane manufacturer and note any special
instructions not given previously by the proper instructor or supervisor.

Electricity or hydraulics, using wire rope or chain to do the lifting, operates most cranes. Once lifted,
some loads can be positioned manually, while other loads are positioned completely by the crane.
Lifting capacities of cranes vary from 250 pounds to more than 20,000 pounds.

Some common hoists and cranes are jib cranes, monorails, gantry cranes and bridge cranes.

COMPANY RESPONSIBILITIES
In today’s complex environment, companies are wise to subscribe to
the principles of safety, training, inspection, maintenance and proper
application, in all operations.

Companies are required to train and evaluate operators, to keep and
maintain copies of the operating and maintenance manuals for all
equipment used by employees.

Maintenance of cranes and hoists is accomplished on a regular basis
through an established preventative maintenance program.
Additionally, proper training of maintenance personnel and operators
of the aerial platforms to recognize problems is an integral part of the
preventative maintenance program. The preventative maintenance
program also includes daily, weekly, monthly and annual inspections.

EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

You, the condition of your crane, maintenance, and inspection procedures, control safe operation. The
single most important factor in the prevention of equipment failures is a positive attitude towards safety.
Also refer to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.179, 180 and 184, 29 CFR 1926.251, 552, 554 and 1400
Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s for Construction and ASME B30.2-1996.

Employees that use aerial platforms in the performance of their work duties, have direct control over the
application and operation of the equipment. Employees are expected to conform to good safety
practices in the use and operation of aerial lifts. Decisions to use the aerial platform must always be
Overhead Crane and Rigging 4 Rev 3 November 2021