Cranes and Hoists

1. Cranes and Hoists Standard 29 CFR Part 1910.179 Presented by: Murray Risk Management and Insurance

2. Today’s agenda • In today’s session, you’ll be learning about: • Safety before using the crane or hoist • How to conduct a crane and hoist pre-use inspection • Safety during the lift • Safety at the end of the job

3. What are cranes and hoists? • Cranes are machines for lifting and lowering loads, and moving the load horizontally. • A hoist is a machine that can be part of a crane or it can be installed alone. Hoists are designed to lift and lower material.

4. Cranes and hoists: Before use • Only trained and authorized personnel are allowed to operate cranes and hoists • Read and understand the manufacturer instructions for safe operation • Always inspect the crane or hoist before operation

5. Pre-use inspection • Visually check all components for damage and wear • Check hydraulic and air systems for leaks • Check hooks and latches • Check hoist chains and ropes • Operate all controls to ensure proper operation with no load • Check operation of the upper limit switch with an empty hook at low speed (beginning of the shift) • NEVER USE A DAMAGED OR DEFECTIVE CRANE OR HOIST!

6. Starting the job • Safe attachment and rigging of material is a critical part of crane and hoist safety: be sure that you have adequate instructions or supervision • Loads must always be centered on the crane at or near its balance point • Plan your route so material is never moved over or close to people or where the load might strike another object in the work environment • NEVER LIFT MATERIAL OVER YOUR HEAD OR OVER OTHER PERSONNEL

7. Starting the job • Communicate crane and hoist use when material is handled close to where others are working: alert other workers verbally or by using crane warning devices (if present) • Check the weight of the load and be sure that it is within the maximum lifting capacity of the crane or hoist • NEVER EXCEED THE MAXIMUM LIFTING CAPACITY OF A CRANE, HOIST, SLING OR OTHER LIFTING DEVICES

8. During the lift • Never place any body part under the suspended load. Stay back from the potential drop zone of the suspended material • Never wrap the lifting rope or chain around material: use a sling or other device to attach the load to the crane or hoist • Do not twist the lifting rope or chain, or slings and rigging devices

9. During the lift • Do not jerk the material: use slow and steady movements when operating equipment • Never make lateral lifts or side pulls: the material should be directly below the lifting block of the crane or hoist • If the load starts to fall: warn others in the area and get away • NEVER ATTEMPT TO CATCH OR STOP A LOAD THAT IS FALLING FROM A CRANE OR HOIST

10. End of the job • Do not leave loads suspended on a crane or hoist • Raise and/or store the lift hook and block where it is not a hazard for others walking through the area

11. Lifting equipment in our facility • The following cranes and hoists are used in our facility: • insert list of equipment here

12. Conclusion • When using cranes and hoists: • The operator is responsible for her/his safety and for the safety of all others in the area. • To keep the job safe, the rules must be followed from inspection through the end of the job.

13. For more information • For more information regarding crane and hoist safety, or other safety issues please contact: Murray Risk Management and Insurance Matthew Olphin, Asst. VP / Risk Control Specialist