Tower Crane Safety Regulations

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Tower Crane Safety Regulations

• Chuck Lemon
• Division of Occupational Safety Health

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Current Regulations that cover Tower Cranes

• WAC 296155525
• ANSI B30.3 1990
• OSHA 29 CFR 1926550 Subpart N

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Upcoming New Regulations

• WAC 296880 (this number could change)
• Available on LIs Website
• ASME B30.3 2004 (effective now, not adopted in
  rule)
• OSHAs New Crane Rule (C-DAC)
• Available in OSHAs Website

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What the current rules sayWAC 296 525

• (2)(a) Operate all cranes per manufacturers
  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.

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What the current rules sayWAC 296 525 (cont.)

• (2)(e) Have a competent person, or a government
  or private agency recognized by LI 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.

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What the current rules sayWAC 296 525 (cont.)

• (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 manufacturers specifications.
  All modifications must be approved by the
  manufacturer and engineered by a PE.

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What the current rules sayWAC 296 525 (cont.)

• (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.

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What the current rules sayWAC 296 525 (cont.)

• (5)(f) Tower cranes erected on new foundations
  must be tested per ANSI B30.3-1990 Chapter 3-1.
• This test would include all functional motions,
  limiting devices, and brakes for operation.
• Limiting devices must be checked for proper
  setting.

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What the current rules sayWAC 296 525 (cont.)

• 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.

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What the current rules sayWAC 296 525 (cont.)

• (5)(f)(i) Load test not less than 110 capacity
  for 15 minutes at the maximum radius. Results of
  test must be within the manufacturers
  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 firms
  permanent equipment records.

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What the current rules sayWAC 296 525 (cont.)

• (5)(j) Limit switches must be installed and kept
  properly adjusted. Limit switches must provide
  the following functions
• (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 two-blocking
• (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.

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What the current rules sayWAC 296 525 (cont.)

• (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.

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What the current rules sayWAC 296 525 (cont.)

• (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.

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What the current rules sayWAC 296 525 (cont.)

• (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.

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What the current rules sayWAC 296 525 (cont.)

• (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 manufacturers recommendations.

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What the current rules sayWAC 296 525 (cont.)

• (5)(x) Tower cranes must be inspected
  maintained per the manufacturers 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.

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What the current rules sayWAC 296 525 (cont.)

• (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.

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What the current rules sayWAC 296 525 (cont.)

• (6)(h) All hammerhead tower cranes must meet the
  requirements for design, construction,
  installation, testing, maintenance, inspection,
  and operation as prescribed by the manufacturer.

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Questions?

• Contact information
• Chuck Lemon
• [phone]
• Lemc235_at_lni.wa.gov