Overhead and gantry cranes - Oregon

Oregon follows federal OSHA regulations for overhead and gantry cranes and adopts the federal rules by reference.  

Oregon has general rules for cranes and additional rules for overhead and gantry cranes.

GENERAL RULES

General rules. Oregon’s general rules for cranes include the following:

• The user must comply with the manufacturer's specifications and limitations applicable to the operation of all cranes.
• Where manufacturer's specifications are not available, the limitations assigned to the equipment must be based on the determinations of a qualified engineer competent in this field and such determinations will be appropriately documented and recorded.
• Attachments used with cranes must not exceed the capacity, rating, or scope recommended by the manufacturer.
• No modifications or additions which affect the capacity or safe operation of the equipment may be made without the manufacturer's written approval.
  • Cranes may be modified and rerated provided such modifications and the supporting structure are checked thoroughly for the new rated load by a qualified engineer or the equipment manufacturer.
  • If such modifications or changes are made, the capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals, must be changed accordingly.
  • In no case may the original safety factor of the equipment be reduced.
  • Only the manufacturer or other competent shop with suitable equipment and with personnel trained for the work will be permitted to perform welding or other repair work on cranes.
• Rated load capacities, and recommended operating speeds, special hazard warnings, or instruction, must be conspicuously posted on all equipment.
• Instructional or warning signs must be visible to the operator while he or she is at his or her control station.
• The employer must designate a competent person who will inspect all machinery and equipment prior to each use, and during use, to make sure it is in safe operating condition.
• Any deficiencies must be repaired, or defective parts replaced, before continued use.
• A thorough, annual inspection of all cranes must be made by a competent person, or a government or private agency.
• The employer must maintain a record of the dates and results of inspections for each hoisting machine and piece of equipment.
• An unimpaired horizontal clearance of not less than three feet must be maintained between the rotating superstructure of any crane and any adjacent object or surface. If this clearance cannot be maintained, barricades must be installed to isolate the hazardous area.
• All windows in cabs must be of safety glass, or its equivalent, that introduces no visible distortion that will interfere with the safe operation of the machine.
• Cranes which operate at night must have their load hooks and working areas adequately lit.
• Sufficient light must be provided in the operator's cage or cab to enable the operator to see clearly enough to perform his or her work.
• An accessible fire extinguisher of 10 BC rating, or higher, must be available at all operator stations or cabs of equipment.
• Belts, gears, and other reciprocating, rotating, or moving parts or equipment must be guarded as required in OAR chapter 437, division 2/O, Machinery and Machine Guarding.

(OAR 437-002-0228(1)).

Operator training. Crane operator training requirements include the following:

• The employer must establish written procedures for the safe operation of all cranes.
• The employer must see that employees who operate cranes are properly trained, have sufficient practical experience, and follow operating procedures for the safe operation of the crane.
• The level of training and experience received by the employee must be recorded in writing.
• The employer must maintain all written records of crane or derrick operators' training and experience and must make such records available for review by the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (OR-OSHA) upon request.

(OAR 437-002-0228(2)).

Overhead wires (electric power lines). A warning sign, legible at 12 feet, must be posted and maintained in plain view of the operators of each crane, derrick, or power-shovel. The sign must read, "UNLAWFUL TO OPERATE THIS EQUIPMENT WITHIN TEN FEET OF HIGH-VOLTAGE LINES." (OAR 437-002-0228(3)).

Signals. Class "D" citizens band radio frequencies must not be used for signaling crane operators. (OAR 437-002-0228(4)).

Blocks, sheaves, and drums:

• Blocks, sheaves and drums and all their parts must not be used for heavier strains or greater speeds than for which they have been designed and constructed.
• Sheave and drum diameters must be as recommended by the wire rope manufacturer for the size rope being used.
• All pins, including bearing and yoke pins, of all blocks must be secured against accidental displacement.
• Sheaves supporting boom lines must not be carried on overhung sheave pins unless equipped with substantial guards passing around the sheave pin and securely held from dislodgment from the pin.
• All blocks must be fitted with line guards or designed and set in a manner that prevents fouling.
• Where the slacking of cable around sheaves and idlers would result in injury to workers, line guards must be provided.
• Working line blocks must be kept in proper alignment.
• Snatch (gate) blocks must be closed and hooked before being used.

(OAR 437-002-0228(5)).

Drums. Ends of lines attached to drums must be securely fastened by means of clamps, socketing, or other means furnishing equivalent strength. Not less than two wraps of line must be maintained on drums. (OAR 437-002-0228(6)).

Chains. End fastenings must be capable of sustaining loads up to the breaking strength of the hoisting chain with which they are used. Hoisting chains must be repaired or removed from such service when the increase in length (stretch) of the measured section exceeds five percent; or when a link is bent, twisted, or otherwise damaged, or when raised scarfs or defective welds appear. Knots must not be tied in chain to shorten the length. (OAR 437-002-0228(7)).

Hooks. When necessary to prevent lifting attachments from inadvertently lifting out of the hook, a safety type hook or other device or means must be used. (OAR 437-002-0228(8)).

Wire Rope:

• Wire rope and replacement wire rope must be of the same size, same or better grade, and same construction as originally furnished by the equipment manufacturer or contemplated in the design, unless otherwise recommended by the equipment or the wire rope manufacturer.
• Wire rope with an independent wire-rope center or other heat-resisting center must be used as hoisting rope wherever exposed to excessive temperatures such as ingot-pouring, ladle cranes, and similar operations.
• Running wire ropes must be guarded if within seven feet of the floor or platform.
• Care must be taken to prevent friction of ropes with other objects which will cause chafing or breaking of wires.
• Wire rope must be taken out of service when any of the following conditions exist:
  • In running ropes, six randomly distributed broken wire in one lay or three broken wires in one strand in one lay.
  • Wearing of one-third the original diameter of outside individual wires. Kinking, crushing, bird caging, or any other damage resulting in distortion of the rope structure.
  • Evidence of any heat damage from any cause.
  • Reductions from nominal diameter of more than 1/64-inch for diameters up to and including 5/16-inch, 1/32-inch for diameters 3/8-inch to and including 1/2-inch, 3/64-inch for diameters 9/16-inch to and including 3/4-inch, 1/16-inch for diameters 7/8 to 1-1/8 inches inclusive, 3/32-inch for diameters 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inches inclusive.
  • In standing ropes, more than two broken wires in one lay in sections beyond end connections or more than one broken wire at an end connection.
  • Corroded, damaged, or improperly applied end connections.
• Wire rope safety factors must be in accordance with American National Standards Institute B30.5-1989 or SAE-J959-1966, Lifting Crane, Wire-Rope Strength Factors.
• All cable must be kept lubricated as conditions of use require.
• When U-bolt wire rope clips are used for form eyes, the Table 2 in OAR 437-002-0228 (9)(h) must be used to determine the number and spacing of clips.
• When used for eye splices, the U-bolt must be applied so that the "U" section is in contact with the dead end of the rope.
• The use of cable clips or clamps may be accepted only when used in locations where they are readily accessible and subjected to frequent inspection. When clips and clamps are used, they must be of the correct size and be properly applied. Allowance must be made for the reduced strength of the line.
• The use of cable clips or clamps for joining lines is prohibited, except where used for transferring slack lines from one place to another. (OAR 437-002-0228(1)).

(OAR 437-002-0228(9)).

Additional rules

Additional rules for overhead and gantry cranes include the following:

• Only a competent person may be permitted to operate a crane.
  • A “competent person” is one who by knowledge, training and experience has demonstrated the ability to solve problems and perform functions relating to the subject matter and work.
• Cages of bridge cranes which are not provided with a walkway the full length of the crane-way or other safe means of egress must be provided with a knotted rope, rope ladder or equally effective means to enable the operator to reach the ground in an emergency.
• A fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 10BC, or equivalent, must be maintained in the cab.
• Prior to initial use all new, extensively repaired and altered cranes must be tested by or under the direction of a competent person, confirming the load rating of the crane.

(OAR 437-002-0229).