Transcript Tower Crane Safety

Tower Crane Safety Regulations
Chuck Lemon
Division of Occupational
Safety & Health
Current
Regulations that cover Tower Cranes
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WAC 296–155–525
ANSI B30.3 – 1990
OSHA 29 CFR 1926–550 Subpart N
Upcoming New Regulations
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WAC 296–880 (this number could change)
Available on L&I’s Website
ASME B30.3 – 2004 (effective now, not
adopted in rule)
OSHA’s New Crane Rule (C-DAC)
Available in OSHA’s Website
What the current rules say
WAC 296 – 525
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(2)(a) Operate all cranes per manufacturer’s
specifications
(2)(d) Designate a competent person to
inspect all machinery and equipment prior to
use and periodically during use to make sure
it is safe.
What the current rules say
WAC 296 – 525 (cont.)
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(2)(e) Have a competent person, or a
government or private agency recognized by
L&I perform a thorough annual inspection of
the hoisting equipment and maintain a
permanent record of these inspections.
(2)(f) A tag line must be used on all loads that
swing freely. Tag lines must be held by
experienced persons.
What the current rules say
WAC 296 – 525 (cont.)
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(5)(a) Tower Cranes must be erected,
jumped and dismantled under the immediate
supervision of a competent person.
(5)(b) Tower cranes must be erected,
maintained, and used per the manufacturer’s
specifications. All modifications must be
approved by the manufacturer and
engineered by a PE.
What the current rules say
WAC 296 – 525 (cont.)
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(5)(c) A professional engineer must certify that the
crane foundations and underlying soil are adequate
support for the tower crane.
(5)(e) Prior to installing a climbing tower crane within
an existing building or new construction, a structural
engineer must certify that the building is designed to
withstand the torque & floor loading created by the
crane to be installed.
What the current rules say
WAC 296 – 525 (cont.)
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(5)(f) Tower cranes erected on new
foundations must be tested per ANSI B30.31990 Chapter 3-1.
This test would include all functional motions,
limiting devices, and brakes for operation.
Limiting devices must be checked for proper
setting.
What the current rules say
WAC 296 – 525 (cont.)
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The functional tests must include slewing,
trolleying, and hoisting with frequent stops,
starts, and reversals.
The functional motion test should continue
for 15 minutes during which all controls,
drives, and braking means engaged shall
have functioned correctly.
What the current rules say
WAC 296 – 525 (cont.)
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(5)(f)(i) Load test not less than 110% capacity for 15
minutes at the maximum radius. Results of test must
be within the manufacturer’s specifications.
(5)(f)(ii) A record of each test must be made and
signed by the person responsible for conducting the
test. This record must be maintained at the
construction site and made part of the firm’s
permanent equipment records.
What the current rules say
WAC 296 – 525 (cont.)
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(5)(j) Limit switches must be installed and kept
properly adjusted. Limit switches must provide the
following functions:
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(i) Safely limit the travel of the trolley to prevent it from
hitting the outer end of the jib.
(ii) Limit the upward travel of the load block to limit twoblocking
(iii) Lower over travel limiting devices must be provided for
all load hoists where hook area is not visible to the operator
(iv) Limit the load being lifted in a manner whereby no more
than 110% of the maximum rated load can be lifted or
moved.
What the current rules say
WAC 296 – 525 (cont.)
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(5)(k) Only use tower cranes for the proper handling
of freely suspended loads, they are not to be used
for pulling vehicles, removing pilings, pull away loads
which are attached to the ground or walls.
(5)(p) Tower cranes must have a a functional slewing
brake. When crane is out of operation, the jib/boom
must be pointed downwind and the slewing brake
released so it can weathervane.
What the current rules say
WAC 296 – 525 (cont.)
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(5)(q) Tower cranes must have a functional
braking system on the trolley. An automatic
brake or device must be installed which will
immediately stop and lock the trolley in the
event that the trolley rope breaks.
(5)(r) All electrical equipment must be
grounded and protection must be provided
against lightning.
What the current rules say
WAC 296 – 525 (cont.)
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(5)(t) All brakes must automatically set in
event of power failure.
(5)(u) Climbing jack systems must be
equipped with over-pressure relief valves,
direct-reading gauges, and pilot-operated
hydraulic check valves. These must be able
to prevent jack from retracting should a
hydraulic line or fitting rupture or fail.
What the current rules say
WAC 296 – 525 (cont.)
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(5)(v) During periods of high winds or
weather affecting visibility, i.e., fog, etc. only
handle loads that are consistent with good
safety practices. The practices must be
agreed upon by the operator and the person
in charge of the construction job, with due
consideration given to the manufacturer’s
recommendations.
What the current rules say
WAC 296 – 525 (cont.)
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(5)(x) Tower cranes must be inspected & maintained
per the manufacturer’s recommendations or more
frequently if reason to suspect a possible defect or
weakening of any portion of the structure or
equipment.
(5)(y) Guy wires, wedges, braces or other supports
must be inspected at the beginning and midpoint of
each work shift to ensure they are functioning as
intended.
What the current rules say
WAC 296 – 525 (cont.)
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(6)(b) Tower cranes must not be erected or
raised when the wind velocity at the worksite
exceeds 20 MPH or as specified by the
manufacturer.
(6)(c) Tower crane operators must be trained
and experienced in tower crane operations.
(6)(f) Buffers must be provided at both ends
of travel of the trolley.
What the current rules say
WAC 296 – 525 (cont.)
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(6)(h) All hammerhead tower cranes must meet
the requirements for design, construction,
installation, testing, maintenance, inspection, and
operation as prescribed by the manufacturer.
Questions?
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Contact information:
Chuck Lemon
– (360) 902-4669
[email protected]
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