| Mobile cranes are responsible for a large portion | | | | for the operation. That person shall analyze the |
| of accidents, injuries, and fatalities. An organization | | | | operation and instruct all personnel involved in the |
| should be aware of the hazards involved in mobile | | | | proper positioning, rigging of the load, and the |
| crane operations. It is the employer's responsibility | | | | movements to be made. Decisions such as the |
| to provide training for all phases of safe crane | | | | necessity to reduce crane ratings, load position, |
| operations and load handling. It is an employer's | | | | boom location, ground support, and speed of |
| responsibility to ensure that all proper Personal | | | | movement shall be in accordance with this |
| Protective Equipment (PPE) are utilized in crane | | | | analysis. |
| operations. | | | | Cranes coming into contact with energized |
| Loads that are dropped by mobile cranes pose a | | | | overhead power lines are the number one killer of |
| severe hazard to any personnel involved in crane | | | | ground personnel in the United States. Prior to |
| operations. The manufacturer's rated capacity | | | | beginning work, a site safety analysis should be |
| shall never be exceeded, no matter what the | | | | conducted where all potential hazards are |
| reason. A mobile crane operator has the authority | | | | identified and marked.. |
| to refuse to lift any load if there is any question | | | | All lines should be considered energized unless the |
| as to safety, the weight of the load, or any other | | | | owning utility has provided written documentation |
| reason. Per ASME B30.5-2007, it is the operator's | | | | stating that they are indeed de-energized. Always |
| responsibility to consult with the person in charge | | | | maintain the required clearances from electrical |
| of the lift, or the site supervisor, and not lift until | | | | lines and sources as specified by ASME B30.5 and |
| safety is assured. A load indicating device is a tool | | | | the applicable OSHA Regulation. |
| that is meant to assist an operator in not | | | | Operators should use an audible warning and |
| exceeding a crane's rated capacity, but is not | | | | operating signal device to notify workers of crane |
| meant to replace the operator's common sense | | | | movement. If the operator has a limited view, a |
| and judgment. An organization should insure they | | | | trained, qualified signal should direct the crane |
| are calibrated annually. A mobile crane operator | | | | operations. No one shall be permitted to ride on |
| should insure that the loads are rigged correctly | | | | the load or load hook. The load hook shall be |
| and that the load hook is placed over the center | | | | secured when the crane is in transit to prevent |
| of gravity of the load prior to lifting it. The person | | | | side loading on the boom and possible boom |
| in charge of the lift shall inspect all sling and rigging | | | | damage. Lack of proper training is a major cause |
| hardware that is to be used. | | | | of accidents. Mobile crane operator training, in |
| When two or more cranes are used to lift one | | | | accordance with ASME B30.5, is required for all |
| load, one designated person shall be responsible | | | | operators. |