OSHA’s new rules for crane and derricks in construction went into effect November 8. Are you in compliance yet? There is evidence that some owners and operators of cranes and derricks, especially smaller businesses, aren’t sure what the new requirements are or what parts of the new law apply to them.

If you’re not sure what to do, start with the following checklist of tasks that have to be completed either before you start up your crane or derrick or during the work shift while the equipment is in operation. The checklist does not cover all aspects of the new crane rules and is just a sample of a much larger array of provisions that you must comply with now. There are separate OSHA rules for cranes and derricks in general industry workplaces.

The crane and derrick rules in construction require you to:

• Confirm the operation is a construction activity
• Ensure that the crane operator is certified or trained
• Ensure all crane operations personnel are either qualified, competent, or trained
• Confirm that ground conditions are stable
• Develop operational control and capacity procedures
• Implement a systematic approach to power line safety
• Complete the shift inspection during the work shift
• Make sure safety devices and operational aids are working properly
• Provide fall protection

See the free New Rule for Cranes and Derricks in Construction Summary for more information about other general requirements of the new rule. There is a detailed regulatory analysis of the new crane and derrick rules at Safety.BLR.com's Cranes and Derricks (Construction) topic page.

Following is an explanation of the items in the checklist.

Confirm the operation is a construction activity. Sometimes there is confusion whether a specific crane operation is considered a construction or general industry activity. Simply delivering supplies to a construction site with a crane is usually considered a general industry activity. For the purposes of construction, cranes are defined as “power-operated equipment used in construction that can hoist, lower, and horizontally move a suspended load.” A construction activity in the context of crane operations includes the assembly, disassembly, attachment, stabilizing, deconstruction or demolition of a portion, or all, of a structure.

Ensure the crane operator is certified or trained. All crane and derrick operators in the 18 states and 6 municipalities that currently have operator licensing laws must be licensed (“certified” in OSHA-speak) to operate by the effective date of such laws.

Crane and derrick operators in the 32 states without operator licensing rules are not required to be certified until either their state enacts operator licensing laws or November 14, 2014, whichever comes first. However, operators in those states must be trained to operate the equipment and evaluated to confirm that the operator understands the information provided in the training.

Ensure all crane operations personnel are either qualified, competent, or trained. For example:

• Riggers, signal persons, maintenance and repair persons, and dedicated spotters near power lines must be qualified (that is, a person who “by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, successfully demonstrates the ability to solve/resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project”).
• The assembly/disassembly (A/D) Director must be competent, except when all assembly and disassembly work is done by one person it must be done by an A/D director who is both a competent person and a qualified person.
• The shift and monthly equipment inspector must be a competent person, and the inspector for the annual equipment inspection must be a qualified person.
• All other personnel (e.g., crew members, spotters) must be trained to perform their tasks.

See the free Crane Personnel Training Chart for a summary of qualification and training requirements for all personnel involved in construction crane operations.

Confirm that ground conditions are stable. Before beginning crane operations, the controlling entity or other employer in authority has to determine whether the ground is sufficient to support the anticipated weight of hoisting equipment and associated loads.

Develop operational control and capacity procedures. A qualified person must develop procedures for the operational controls of crane or derrick equipment. A registered professional engineer familiar with the equipment must develop and sign procedures related to the capacity of the equipment.

Implement a systematic approach to power line safety. For example, if the work zone assessment shows that a crane could get closer than 20 feet for lines rated up to 350 kV, then requirements for additional action are triggered.

Complete the shift inspection during the work shift. A competent person must begin to visually inspect equipment before each shift the equipment will be used, and complete the inspection during that shift. OSHA reasoned that during the shift, certain deficiencies or maladjustments may be easier to detect than a check conducted before the equipment is operating, and other adjustments or settings may change during the shift and require additional inspection. There are no recordkeeping requirements for shift inspections. There are detailed requirements in the rules for monthly and annual equipment inspections.

Make sure safety devices and operational aids are working properly. All safety devices listed in the rule must be working properly before operations begin. No alternative measures for safety devices are allowed. Operational aids must be working properly before operations begin, except where an operational aid is being repaired and the employer uses the specified temporary alternative measures.

Provide fall protection. During equipment assembly and disassembly, ensure the use of fall protection equipment for employees who are on a walking or working surface with an unprotected side or edge more than 15 ft above a lower level. During operations, provide fall protection for employees who are on a walking or working surface with an unprotected side or edge more than 6 ft above a lower level under the conditions listed in the rule.

There are many additional requirements for load handling, multiple lifts, signaling, design of new equipment, equipment modifications, and hoisting personnel. Be sure to review the rules for all of these activities before beginning crane or derrick operation in construction.