Cranes/Derricks for construction activities

Scope

OSHA’s Subpart CC applies to power-operated equipment, when used in construction, that can hoist, lower, and horizontally move a suspended load. Such equipment includes, but is not limited to:

• Articulating cranes (such as knuckle-boom cranes)
• Crawler cranes
• Floating cranes
• Cranes on barges
• Locomotive cranes
• Mobile cranes (such as wheel-mounted, rough-terrain, all-terrain, commercial truck-mounted, and boom truck cranes)
  
  
• Multi-purpose machines when configured to hoist and lower (by means of a winch or hook) and horizontally move a suspended load
• Industrial cranes (such as carry-deck cranes)
• Dedicated pile drivers
• Service/mechanic trucks with a hoisting device
• A crane on a monorail
• Tower cranes (such as a fixed jib, i.e., “hammerhead boom,” luffing boom, and self-erecting)
• Pedestal cranes
• Portal cranes
• Overhead and gantry cranes
• Straddle cranes
• Sideboom cranes
• Derricks
• Variations of such equipment

Regulatory citations

• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC — Cranes and derricks in construction.

Key definitions

• Articulating crane: A crane whose boom consists of a series of folding, pin connected structural members, typically manipulated to extend or retract by power from hydraulic cylinders.
• Assembly/Disassembly: The assembly and/or disassembly of equipment covered under this standard. With regard to tower cranes, “erecting and climbing” replaces the term “assembly,” and “dismantling” replaces the term “disassembly.” Regardless of whether the crane is initially erected to its full height or is climbed in stages, the process of increasing the height of the crane is an erection process.
• Boom (equipment other than tower crane): An inclined spar, strut, or other long structural member which supports the upper hoisting tackle on a crane or derrick. Typically, the length and vertical angle of the boom can be varied to achieve increased height or height and reach when lifting loads. Booms can usually be grouped into general categories of hydraulically extendable, cantilevered type, latticed section, cable supported type or articulating type.
• Controlling entity: An employer that is a prime contractor, general contractor, construction manager or any other legal entity which has the overall responsibility for the construction of the project — its planning, quality and completion.
• Counterweight: A weight used to supplement the weight of equipment in providing stability for lifting loads by counterbalancing those loads.
• Crawler crane: Equipment that has a type of base mounting which incorporates a continuous belt of sprocket driven track.
• Dedicated pile-driver: A machine that is designed to function exclusively as a pile-driver. These machines typically have the ability to both hoist the material that will be pile-driven and to pile-drive that material.
• Power lines: Electric transmission and distribution lines.
• Qualified person: A person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, successfully demonstrated the ability to solve/resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.
• Qualified rigger: A rigger who meets the criteria for a qualified person.

Summary of requirements

Under the rule employers must:

• Determine whether the ground is sufficient to support the anticipated weight of hoisting equipment and associated loads.
• Assess hazards within the work zone that would affect the safe operation of hoisting equipment, such as those of power lines and objects or personnel that would be within the work zone or swing radius of the hoisting equipment.
• Ensure that the equipment is in safe operating condition by performing required inspections.
• Train employees in the work zone to recognize hazards associated with the use of the equipment and any related duties that they are assigned to perform.