Page 8 - Crane and Rigging

Note: The value that follows "to" is up to and includes that value. For example, over 50 to 200 means
up to and including 200kV. (OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1408 Table A)

Safety precautions for power lines up to 350kV:
• For power lines with an unknown voltage, the minimum approach distance is 50 feet.
• Conduct a planning meeting and hazard assessment before beginning equipment operations
• Create a boundary using a high visibility line, barricade, signs or device that the operator cannot
go past.
• Define the work zone as the area 360 degrees up to the maximum working radius
• Use non-conductive tag lines

NOTE: Presume All Power Lines are Energized Unless Verified by the Utility Owner / Operator

FALL PROTECTION
Falls are a leading cause of injury in the workplace. There are fall hazards involved with working around
a crane or gantry. A walking working surface are surfaces that may change in elevation from one to
another. The ground, platform or boom truck deck are all walking working surfaces Surface
encumbrances, water, or trip hazards can cause slips trips and falls from these types of surfaces,
resulting in injury or a fatality. Keeping these walking working surfaces clean and clear will help reduce
these fall hazards.

Equipment manufactured after November 2008 must be
equipped so that it provides safe access and egress between the
ground and operator workstations. Ladders, guardrails and any
grab rails must be maintained per the manufacture specifications
and are provided for employees safety. Safe work practice for
accessing the cab and other work areas is:
• Three Point Contact - Maintaining three points of contact
on a ladder or grab rail will stabilized the body and limit
falling. Three points are two hands and one foot or two
feet and one hand.
• Face the equipment when climbing onto or off. This
method limits the chance of falling forward without being
able to grab onto a handrail.

All walking surfaces above 6 feet from another walking working surface must be protected against
falling. There are specific requirements for personal fall protection under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1423.
These cover specific types of equipment and situations.

WORK AREA CONTROL

Another area that workers can be injured or killed is around Moving or turning parts. Moving gantries,
mobile cranes, rotating counterweights or shifting loads are some hazards associated with crane and
gantry work. As an competent or qualified person on site it is your responsibility to identify and protect
worker from these hazards. Identifying these hazards is your first step to setting up a plan to isolate or
protect others: Let's look at how to protect common work area hazards around cranes and gantries.

Pinching or Crushing - Pinch points can be areas that have a rotating structure or any area where two
surfaces come together. Common pinch points or crushing hazards are wire drums, rotating turrets,
landing material. Ways to protects against pinch points:
Overhead Crane and Rigging 8 Rev 3 November 2021