WAC 296-155-54900   Crane or derrick requirements for personnel lifting.  (1) Cranes and derricks must meet the requirements in this part and the applicable crane/derrick ASME B30 volume in addition to the following requirements in this section.

     (2) The following cranes/derricks must not be used to lift personnel:

     (a) Articulating boom cranes, unless approved by the manufacturer;

     (b) Cranes or derricks with pendant supported, jib type boom extensions without positive stops.

     (3) The crane or derrick being used to hoist the personnel platform must meet the following requirements:

     (a) Live boom or live load capabilities allowing free fall are removed for the period of personnel lifting;

     (b) An operational anti two-block device or upper travel limit switch is installed on the hoisting systems;

     (c) On cranes and derricks with variable angle booms there is a boom angle indicator that is clearly visible to the operator;

     (d) Equipped with a boom hoist limiting device;

     (e) Cranes with a luffing jib must be equipped with:

     (i) A jib angle indicator, readily visible to the operator.

     (ii) A jib hoist limiting device.

     (f) Cranes with telescoping booms must have a boom length indicator, readable from the operator's station;

     (g) Articulating cranes must be equipped with a properly functioning automatic overload protection device. Using articulating boom cranes with suspended platforms is not allowed. The use of attached work platforms to the articulating boom crane must be approved by the crane manufacturer;

     (h) Has automatic brakes on the crane/derrick, so motions stop when the operating controls are released;

     (i) Has a holding device, such as a load hold check valve, that will prevent uncontrolled movement of the crane/derrick if a system fails, on hydraulic or pneumatic systems;

     (j) Has a way to prevent hydraulic or pneumatic outriggers or stabilizers, if these are a part of the crane/derrick, from retracting if the hydraulic or pneumatic line fails;

     (k) The load line hoist drum must have a system, other than the load line hoist brake, which regulates the lowering rate of speed of the hoist mechanism. This system or device must be used when hoisting personnel;

     (l) Proper operation required. Personnel hoisting operations must not begin unless the devices listed in this section are in proper working order. If a device stops working properly during such operations, the operator must safely stop operations. Personnel hoisting operations must not resume until the device is again working properly. Alternative measures are not permitted.

     (4) Direct attachment of a personnel platform to a luffing jib is prohibited.

     (5) The base of the crane must be level in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations and in no case greater than one percent of level. The crane must be located on firm footing and a qualified person must determine that the footing is sufficiently firm and stable. Outriggers or stabilizers must be extended, blocked and locked according to manufacturer's recommendations, if the crane is equipped with them, the amount of the extension must be the same for all outriggers or stabilizers.

     (6) The total weight of the lifted load, including rigging, platform, personnel, tools, and material must not exceed fifty percent of the crane's rated capacity for the radius and configuration, under the planned conditions of operations (except during testing as outlined in WAC 296-155-551).

     (7) When the occupied personnel platform is in a stationary working position, the load and boom hoist brakes, swing brakes, and operator actuated secondary braking and locking features (such as pawls or dogs) or automatic secondary brakes must be engaged.

     (8) The area must be inspected where the crane/derrick will be set up and look for:

     (a) Overhead obstructions;

     (b) Electrical lines;

     (c) Hazardous locations;

     (d) Inadequate surface area;

     (e) Inadequate support to withstand all force imposed, wind, weather, and unstable conditions; and

     (f) Other potentially hazardous conditions.

     (9) Hooks on headache ball assemblies, lower load blocks, or other attachment assemblies must be of a type that can be closed and locked, eliminating the hook throat opening. Alternatively, an alloy anchor type shackle with a bolt, nut and retaining pin may be used.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.440, 49.17.060, and 29 C.F.R. 1926, Subpart CC. 12-01-086, § 296-155-54900, filed 12/20/11, effective 2/1/12.]