Crane Operator Safety > South Carolina

January 10, 2006
For letting

The contractor's attention is directed to the following Crane Safety criteria. All items listed shall be submitted to the Resident Construction Engineer (RCE) before any crane operations can proceed. If any personnel or equipment is changed or added, all applicable items shall be updated and submitted to the RCE before continuing with crane(s) operations.

All contractors shall comply with the manufacturer specifications and limitations applicable to the operation of any and all cranes and derricks. Prime contractors and sub-contractors shall comply with the latest Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations (OSHA). the American National Standards Institute adopted American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) crane standards, and other applicable standards including, but not limited to the following:

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.550 “Cranes, Derricks, Elevators, & Conveyors”
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.605 “Marine Operations & Equipment”
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.251 “Rigging Equipment for Material Handling”
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.32 “Definitions”
ASME B30.5-2000 “ Mobile and Locomotive Cranes”
ASME 330 999 “Floating Cranes and Floating Derricks'

Crane Safety Submittal List -

1. Site Specific Safety Plan: Guidelines for crane and lifting operations shall he developed by a qualified person, for each contractor conducting crane and lifting operations on the project. Subcontractors must submit their Work Plan to the prime contractor for approval before submittal to the SCDOT. Plans shall address site conditions such as environmental conditions, wind, adjacent structures, overhead power lines, underground utilities, crane/barge combination procedures, public protection and identification of routes for suspended loads to ensure no employees are working directly below the load. Plans shall provide for conducting pre-lift meetings prior to lifting operations as necessary.
   
2. Critical Lifts: Contractor shall submit Critical Lift Procedures, including a critical lift checklist and critical lift identification process. All critical lifts shall be identified and properly safeguarded. A critical lift is defined as a load equaling 75% of the rated capacity of the crane after all deductions, whether on land, on a barge, or if a load requires the use of more than one crane. Critical lift checklists, which include the date/time completed, shall he available for review upon request.
   
3. Crane Inspections: Inspection records for all cranes shall he current and readily accessible for review upon request. Contractor shall submit proof of crane inspector qualifications and training. A copy of the most recent periodic crane inspection conducted by a competent person, and the documented correction of defects shall be submitted. A copy of the frequent crane inspection conducted by the competent persons(s) and documented correction of defects shall be submitted.
   
4. Safety Person: Provide the name arid qualifications of the “Competent Person” responsible for crane safety and lifting operations. The named competent person will have the responsibility and authority to stop any work activity due to safety concerns.
   
5. Crane/Barge Combinations: Contractor shall provide a plan prepared by a competent person for all lifts on floating crane/barge combinations. The plan shall include lifting capacities and method of securing the crane to the barge. Critical lifts on floating crane combinations shall he certified by a qualified professional engineer before the lift.
   
6. Riggers: Provide the qualifications, experience and training of the persons for rigging operations. Training should include but not be limited to weight calculations, center of gravity determinations, sling selection and capacities and rigging equipment inspection, safe rigging practices, and determining load weights.
   
7. Crane Operators

• For critical lifts all crane operators shall be certified by the National Association for the Certification of Crane Operators (CCO)
• For non-critical lifts, crane operators shall be CCO certified. In lieu of CCO certification, the following are acceptable until January 2009
  • Crane operators must have satisfactorily, completed the Carolinas AGC's Professional Crane Operator s Proficiency, Program, as approved by the SCDOT, or
  • Crane operators shall have a minimum of 5 years of expenence, and be under the direct super-vision of someone who is either CCO certified, satisfactorily completed the Carolinas AGC's Professional Crane Operator's Proficiency Program, or has satisfactorily completed the Carolinas AGC's Lift Supervisor program, as approved the SCDOT.
• For crane lifts less than 50% of the rated capacity, after all deductions which are not within a boom length of traffic, railroads, or public access areas; crane operators shall either be CCO certified, or under the direct supervision of someone who is CCO certified. In lieu of CCO certification, the following are acceptable:
  • Crane operators must have satisfactorily completed the Carolinas AGC's Professional Crane Operator's Proficiency Program. Or
  • Crane operators shall be under the direct supervision of someone who has satisfactorily completed the Carolinas AGC's Professional Crane Operator's Proficiency Program, or Carolinas AGC's Lift Supervisor's Program.

Contractor shall submit current CCO certification, or documentation of completion of the Carolinas AGC's program along with medical evaluations**, and resume of relevant work experience for each operator and supervisor.

* Operator proficiency program training must remain current, within a 5-year expiration date.

** Medical evaluations must remain current, within a 3-year expiration date. Medical evaluation shall meet or exceed the CCO medical evaluation requirements [ utilize either the CCO Physical Examination Form or a current DOT Medical Examiners Certificate].