• Crane users should follow approved procedures for attaching, moving, and holding loads.
• If work is being performed near power lines, protective measures such as de-energization of the lines must be taken.

When attaching the load, the user must ensure the hoist rope is not wrapped around the load. The load must be attached to the hook by means of slings or other approved devices.

Moving the load

The user should ensure the crane is level and is blocked properly where necessary.

The load must be secured and balanced in the sling or lifting device before it is lifted more than a few inches. Load (working) means the external load, in pounds, applied to the crane, including the weight of load-attaching equipment such as load blocks, shackles, and slings.

Before starting to hoist, the following conditions must be met:

• Hoist rope is not kinked.
• Multiple part lines are not twisted around each other.
• The hook is moved over the load to prevent swinging.

During hoisting, the operator must ensure that:

• There is no sudden acceleration or deceleration of the moving load.
• The load does not contact any obstructions.

Side loading of booms is limited to freely suspended loads. Cranes must not be used for dragging loads sideways.

No hoisting, lowering, swinging, or traveling shall be done while anyone is on the load or hook.

The operator must not carry loads over people.

On truck-mounted cranes, no loads shall be lifted over the front area except as approved by the crane manufacturer.

The operator shall test the brakes each time a load approaching the rated load is handled by raising it a few inches and applying the brakes.

Outriggers shall be used when the load to be handled at that particular radius exceeds the rated load without outriggers as given by the manufacturer for that crane. Outriggers are extendable or fixed metal arms, attached to the mounting base, which rest on supports at the outer ends.

Where floats are used, they shall be securely attached to the outriggers. Wood blocks used to support outriggers shall:

• Be strong enough to prevent crushing.
• Be free from defects.
• Be of sufficient width and length to prevent shifting or toppling under load.

Neither the load nor the boom shall be lowered below the point where less than two full wraps of rope remain on their respective drums.

A designated person shall be responsible for determining and controlling safety before traveling a crane with load. Decisions such as position of load, boom location, ground support, travel route, and speed of movement are up to the designated person.

A crane with or without load shall not be traveled with the boom so high that it may bounce back over the cab.

Holding the load

Operators are not permitted to leave their position at the controls while the load is suspended.

No person should be permitted to stand or pass under a load on the hook.

If the load must remain suspended for any considerable length of time, the operator shall keep the drum from rotating in the lowering direction by activating the positive controllable means of the operator’s station.

Operations near overhead electric lines

If work is to be performed near overhead lines, the lines shall be deenergized and grounded, or other protective measures shall be provided before work is started. If the lines are to be deenergized, arrangements shall be made with the person or organization that operates or controls the electric circuits involved to deenergize and ground them.

If protective measures, such as guarding, isolating, or insulating, are provided, these precautions shall prevent employees from contacting such lines directly with any part of their body or indirectly through conductive materials, tools, or equipment.