Overhead and gantry cranes - Ohio

 Ohio follows federal OSHA regulations for overhead and gantry cranes.   

Ohio has additional state-specific regulations that go beyond federal regulations.

Operation by minors prohibited

The operation of power-driven hoisting apparatus, including overhead and gantry cranes, is prohibited for minors under 18 years of age. (OAC Ann. 4101:9-2-21).

Minimum clearance from electrical conductors and equipment

Before an employee moves or operates a power crane within 10 feet of an energized electrical conductor, the employer must:

• Assure that the conductor is deenergized and grounded, or
• Assure that the conductor is moved, or
• Assure that the conductor is guarded from accidental contact and an employee is designated to act as signalman to direct the operator in the movement of the equipment, or
• Assure that an insulated boom or an insulated type guard about the boom or arm of the equipment and a dielectric insulator link between the load and the block are installed and an employee is designated to act as signalman to direct the operator in the movement of the equipment.

(OAC Ann. 4123:1-5-23).

POWER-DRIVEN CRANES AND HOISTS

Overhead electric traveling cranes. The term “overhead electric traveling crane” means a crane consisting of a bridge mounted on trucks which runs on rails and the hoisting mechanism mounted on a trolley which moves transversely across the bridge and may be controlled from a cab or from remote or pendant controls. (OAC Ann. 4123:1-5-14(C)).

Equipment required on overhead traveling cranes includes:

• Brakes
  • Holding brakes for hoist motors will have not less than the following percentage of the full load hoisting torque at the point where the brake is applied.
    • 125 percent when used with a control braking means other than mechanical.
    • 100 percent when used in conjunction with a mechanical control braking means.
    • 100 percent each if two holding brakes are provided.
• Foot-walk
  • A foot-walk with standard guard railing and toe-boards will be placed along the cab access side of the bridge.
• Rail stops
  • Rail stops will be provided at both ends of the crane runway and at the end of trolley travel.
• Bumpers
  • A crane will be provided with bumpers or other automatic means providing equivalent effect, unless:
    • The crane travels at a slow rate of speed and has a faster deceleration rate due to the use of sleeve bearings, or
    • It is not operated near the ends of bridge and trolley travel, or
    • It is restricted to a limited distance by the nature of the crane operation and there is no hazard of striking any object in this limited distance, or
    • It is used in similar operating conditions.
  • The bumpers will be capable of stopping the crane (not including the lifted load) at an average rate of deceleration not to exceed three ft/s/s when traveling in either direction at 20 percent of the rated load speed.
  • A trolley will be provided with bumpers or other automatic means of equivalent effect, unless:
    • The trolley travels at a slow rate of speed, or
    • It is not operated near the ends of bridge and trolley travel, or
    • Is restricted to a limited distance of the runway and there is no hazard of striking any object in this limited distance, or
    • It is used in similar operating conditions.
  • The bumpers will be capable of stopping the trolley (not including the lifted load) at an average rate of deceleration not to exceed 4.7 ft/s/s when traveling in either direction at one-third of the rated load speed.
• Warning device
  • On cab-operated cranes, a warning device or signal will be provided for use in warning personnel of crane travel.

(OAC Ann. 4123:1-5-14(C)(1)).

Cab requirements

• Enclosed crane cabs will be provided with windows in front and on both sides.
• Open cabs will be provided with standard guard railing, and toe-board, and gate. If the opening height is inadequate for a standard guard railing, a chain or angle iron will be used to guard the opening.
• Means of escape will be provided for operators of overhead cranes.
• Cabs of cranes subjected to excessive heat from below will have floors insulated with a noncombustible material.
• All current-carrying parts in crane cabs will be guarded.

(OAC Ann. 4123:1-5-14 (C)(2)).

Limiting devices

A hoist limiting device will be provided for each hoist to limit the upward travel (OAC Ann. 4123:1-5-14 (C)(3)).

Electric single rail cranes and hoists

The term “electric single rail crane and hoist” means a hoist with or without an operator’s cab, suspended from a single overhead track or rail.

Equipment for electric single rail cranes and hoists must include:

• A trolley stop at all switches and turntables which will prevent the trolley from running off should the rail switch be turned to “open” or left in an open position.
• Rail stops at the ends of crane runway.
• A hoist limiting device for each hoist.
• Holding brakes for hoist motors will have not less than the following percentage of the full load hoisting torque at the point where the brake is applied:
  • 125 percent when used with a control braking means other than mechanical.
  • 100 percent when used in conjunction with a mechanical control braking means.
  • 100 percent each if two holding brakes are provided.
  • Holding brakes on hoists must be applied automatically when power is removed

(OAC Ann. 4123:1-5-14 (E)).

Electric gantry cranes

The term “electric gantry crane” means a crane with the bridge mounted on structural legs which may be mobile on rails or stationary. One leg may be at ground level; the other may be elevated or both legs may be at ground level.

Equipment for electric gantry cranes must include:

• Bridge track wheels equipped with sweeps.
• Bumpers, stops, and rail stops.
  • A crane will be provided with bumpers or other automatic means providing equivalent effect, unless:
    • The crane travels at a slow rate of speed and has a faster deceleration rate due to the use of sleeve bearings, or
    • It is not operated near the ends of bridge and trolley travel, or
    • It is restricted to a limited distance by the nature of the crane operation and there is no hazard of striking any object in this limited distance, or
    • It is used in similar operating conditions.
  • The bumpers will be capable of stopping the crane (not including the lifted load) at an average rate of deceleration not to exceed three ft/s/s when traveling in either direction at twenty per cent of the rated load speed.
  • A trolley will be provided with bumpers or other automatic means of equivalent effect, unless:
    • The trolley travels at a slow rate of speed, or
    • It is not operated near the ends of bridge and trolley travel, or
    • Is restricted to a limited distance of the runway and there is no hazard of striking any object in this limited distance, or
    • It is used in similar operating conditions.
  • The bumpers will be capable of stopping the trolley (not including the lifted load) at an average rate of deceleration not to exceed 4.7 ft/s/s when traveling in either direction at one-third of the rated load speed.
  • Rail stops will be installed at both ends of trolley travel.
• An anchor or rail blocking device will be installed on all gantry cranes which are exposed to external weather.
• A hoist limiting device will be installed on each hoist.

(OAC Ann. 4123:1-5-14 (F)).

Additional specifications applicable to all cranes

• Defective crane safety devices or load-carrying equipment will be repaired or replaced.
• Crane access ladders, stairways, and/or walkways will be provided on all cranes.
• The maximum capacity recommended by the manufacturer will be posted on each crane.
• Warning signs, “out-of-order” signs, or warning devices will be placed on each crane under repair.

(OAC Ann. 4123:1-5-14 (G)).