Overhead and gantry cranes - Washington

Washington has adopted most federal OSHA regulations by reference and follows federal OSHA regulations for overhead and gantry cranes.   

However, the state also has some unique standards for overhead and gantry cranes in the manufacturing setting even when construction activity is being performed.

General rules

The general rules for overhead/bridge and gantry cranes include the following:

• Permanent installation. Permanently installed overhead/bridge and gantry cranes which are in a manufacturing facility or powerhouse must follow the requirements of WAC 296-24-235 (General safety and health standards), even when a construction activity is being performed. This requirement applies to overhead, bridge, gantry cranes, including semigantry, cantilever gantry, wall cranes, storage bridge cranes, and others having the same fundamental characteristics.
• Not permanently installed. Overhead and gantry cranes that are not permanently installed must follow the applicable requirements in chapter 296-155 WAC, Part L.
• Design, inspection, construction, testing, and maintenance. These cranes must also meet the applicable requirements for design, inspection, construction, testing, and maintenance as prescribed in:
  • ASME B30.2-2022, Safety Standard for Overhead and Gantry Cranes (Top Running Bridge, Single or Multiple Girder, Top Running Trolley Hoist) standard effective the year of manufacture of the crane.
  • ASME B30.11-2010, Safety Standards for Monorails and Underhung Cranes standard effective the year of manufacture of the crane.
  • ASME B30.17-2020, Safety Standards for Overhead and Gantry Cranes (Top Running Bridge, Single Girder, Underhung Hoist) standard effective the year of manufacture of the crane.
  • It is not the intent of these rules to require retrofitting of existing cranes. However, when an item is being modified, its performance needs to be reviewed by a qualified person and compared to applicable requirements. For modification requirements see WAC 296-155-53400 (57) and (58).
• Marking of rated load. The rated load of the crane must be plainly marked on each side of the crane, and if the crane has more than one hoisting unit, each hoist must have its rated load marked on it or its load block, and this marking must be clearly legible from the ground or floor.
• Operating direction marks. The crane or surrounding structure must be marked to provide operating directions that match and are visible from the crane's operating controls, i.e., north/south, east/west or forward/back, left/right.
• Bridge trucks. Overhead and gantry cranes with bridge trucks must be equipped with sweeps which extend below the top of the rail, and project in front of the truck wheels.
• Warning devices. Except for floor-operated cranes, an effective warning device must be provided for each crane equipped with a power traveling mechanism.
• Wind velocity indicator. The employer must provide a wind velocity indicator for all outdoor overhead and gantry cranes. The device must be mounted on the crane runway structure and must give a visible and audible alarm to the crane operator at a predetermined wind velocity. A single wind velocity indicator may serve as an alarm for more than one crane.
• Electrical:
  • The wiring and equipment must comply with Article 610 of ANSI/NFPA No. 70, National Electrical Code, and chapter 296-155 WAC Part I.
  • The control circuit voltage must not exceed 600 volts for AC or DC.
  • The voltage at pendant pushbuttons must not exceed 150 volts for AC, and 300 volts for DC.
  • Where multiple conductor cable is used with a suspended pushbutton station, the station must be supported in a manner that will protect the electrical conductors against strain.
  • The employer must construct pendant control stations to prevent electrical shock. The push-button enclosure must be at ground potential and marked for identification of functions.
• Welding. All welding procedures and welding operator qualifications to be used on load sustaining members must be in accordance with ANSI/AWS D1.1, except as modified by ANSI/AWS D14.1.

(WAC 296-155-54200).

Operations

The operational rules for overhead/bridge and gantry cranes include the following:

• The operator must not engage in any practice that diverts their attention while actually engaged in operating the crane.
• The operator must do the following before leaving a cab-operated crane or a cab-operated carrier unattended:
  • Remove any attached load and raise the hook to the highest allowable position.
  • Place controllers or master switches in the "off" position and deenergize the main switch (crane disconnect) of the specific crane.
  • Note: Additional information relating to cranes being unattended is in WAC 296-155-53400 (51).
• If power fails during operation, the operator must:
  • Move all clutch or other power controls to the "off" position;
  • Prior to reusing the crane, the operator must check operating motions for proper direction.
• The operator must be familiar with the crane and its proper care. If adjustments or repairs are necessary, the operator must report the condition to the competent person. The next operator must be notified of the condition.
• The operator must not lower the load below the point where less than two full wraps of rope remain on the drum.
• When two or more cranes are used to lift a load, one qualified person must oversee the operation. This person must analyze the operation and instruct all personnel involved in the proper positioning, rigging of the load, and the movements to be made.
• The operator must not leave the position at the controls while the load is suspended over an area accessible to people.
• For cabs and remote operated cranes, when the load or hook approaches near or over personnel, a warning signal must be sounded.
• Hoist limit switch:
  • At the beginning of each operator's shift, the operator must test the upper limit switch of each hoist under no load.
  • The employer must never use the hoist limit switch which controls the upper limit of travel of the load block as an operating control.

(WAC 296-155-54215).