Precast Inc. - July/August 2008 - (Page 20) “Because cranes have the ability to lift heavy loads to great heights, they also have an increased potential for catastrophic accidents if safe operating practices are not followed.” — OSHA’s Mobile Crane Inspection Guidelines and assuming, for example, no wind, a solid foundation, static or dead weight lifts, and no movement in the boom or swing angle. These are ideal conditions that are seldom found on construction sites. An experienced operator is expected to know when to reduce crane capacity and speed accordingly to suit existing conditions. How to ensure crane safety According to OSHA’s Fact Sheet No. 1, “Proper Inspection and Maintenance of Overhead Cranes and Hoists,” proper equipment inspection can maximize operator safety. Equipment owners can help protect workers by taking these four steps: 1. Implement a crane, gantry and hoist inspection and maintenance program. 2. Train the crane and hoist operators to perform required preshift equipment inspection. 3. Train crane operators in proper use of equipment. 4. Make sure the operator knows and understands the manufacturer’s operation manual. How often are crane inspections required? Proper periodic recommended inspections by qualified crane inspectors will aid in identifying any mechanical or electrical crane components that are close to failure. According to OSHA, under 29 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Section 1926, a thorough crane inspection by a competent person (or by a government or private agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor) is required annually at a minimum, or more frequently as specified by OSHA regulations and relevant industry standards. Equipment owners must maintain a record of the inspection dates and results for every crane, gantry or hoist. An increased frequency of crane inspections may be required depending on the activity (hours of operation) and the severity of conditions under which a given crane is operated. ANSI (American National Standards Institute) B30.2 determines service classes for cranes and inspection schedules based on equipment use. For example, hook, wire rope and chain conditions must be inspected monthly at a minimum. New crane, gantry and hoist equipment must be load tested at 125 percent of the rated capacity before being placed in service or after major repairs to load-bearing components, and a certification of the load test must be kept on file. It is the responsibility of the employer or equipment owner to determine the frequency of inspections to comply with OSHA/ANSI regulations and to designate a competent or qualified person to perform inspections for hoisting equipment. According to CMAA (Crane Manufacturers Association of America), a “qualified inspector” must have appropriate training and minimum specified field experience related to the maintenance, service, repair and functional testing of cranes. In addition to ensuring that equipment remains in good operating condition, regular inspections can minimize crane downtime and extend the service life of this expensive equipment. The important thing to remember is that should an accident involving a crane occur and records do not substantiate that proper inspection protocol was followed, equipment owners and employers may face costly legal liability for negligence. For more complete information on crane safety, regulations and inspection, visit www.mhia.org/industrygroups/osha. Meanwhile, back in New York City … According to recent press reports, of the 29 tower cranes that were operating at construction sites on March 15 at the time of the first 2008 crane accident in New York City, 21 cranes passed inspection and eight were immediately shut down until violations could be corrected. That works out to about a 30 percent inspection failure rate. Nine people lost their lives in the city’s two crane collapses. Four-hour inspections ordered by the city building commission for all tower cranes included checks of boom, load and swing functions as well as inspection of anti-two-block devices and boom hoist safety shut-offs. Two of the noncompliant tower cranes had paperwork violations, but six cranes presented serious safety violations including missing connection pins, broken mechanical parts and conditions not in accordance with the manufacturers’ operation manuals. A city sweep of 220 mobile cranes followed. Could anything have been done to prevent the crane collapses in New York City? Until the city’s investigations are complete and engineering and forensic analyses of the tower cranes involved are available for review, we do not know. Complying with OSHA regulations and relevant industry standards for crane inspection protocols as well as ensuring that staff is properly trained in crane capacity and limitations are probably the most prudent steps to take to help maintain crane operating safety and prevent accidents. Sue McCraven, NPCA senior technical consultant, is a civil engineer, technical writer and editor, and environmental scientist who has contributed numerous articles and studies to prominent scientific journals. 20 JULY/AUGUST 2008 | PRECAST INC. http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/osha
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