Cranes and derricks requirements

This section applies to every kind of crane and derrick and to equipment performing the functions of a crane or derrick, except the limited exclusions listed in 1917.45(a)(2). Employers must treat most cranes and derricks used in marine terminals as covered by 1917.45(a)(1).

• See the exclusions in 1917.45(a)(2) for small industrial truck-type cranes, top-loaders/sideloaders, chain hoists, and mobile straddle-type cranes that cannot straddle two or more intermodal containers.

Yes — 1917.45(a)(2) excludes small industrial truck-type cranes, container top-loaders and sideloaders, chain hoists, and mobile straddle-type cranes under the specified size from this section. See 1917.45(a)(2).

• Note: OSHA has separately interpreted that reach stackers are powered industrial trucks and are exempt from the certification requirement in 1917.50 (see the 2017 reach stacker memorandum at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2017-03-17).

Yes — cranes and derricks whose rated capacity varies with boom length, radius, or other variables must have a durable rating chart visible to the operator covering the full range of the manufacturer's/design capacity ratings, except bridge cranes covered by paragraph (g). See 1917.45(b)(1).

• The chart must include all operating radii and boom/jib lengths, with and without outriggers, and any precautions from the manufacturer (1917.45(b)).

Yes — when the rated load varies with boom radius, the crane must be fitted with a boom angle or radius indicator that is visible to the operator, as required by 1917.45(c).

• This helps the operator avoid exceeding capacity for a given outreach.

No — equipment must not be used in a manner that exerts sideloading stresses on the crane or derrick boom; sideloading is prohibited under 1917.45(d)(1).

• Employers should plan lifts and use rigging/devices to avoid side loads that the boom was not designed to carry.

No — a crane or derrick that has a visible or known defect affecting safe operation shall not be used, per 1917.45(d)(2).

• Employers must inspect equipment and remove defective cranes from service until repaired.

When exposed moving parts such as gears, chains and sprockets present a hazard to employees during crane operations, those parts must be securely guarded, as required by 1917.45(e)(1).

• Guarding prevents entanglement and contact injuries; maintain guards and do not operate with missing or improvised guards.

Yes — crane hooks must be latched or otherwise secured to prevent accidental load disengagement, as required by 1917.45(e)(2).

• OSHA has explained that whether a safety latch is required can depend on the lifting activity, but marine terminal rules explicitly require hooks to be latched or otherwise secured; see OSHA's letter on safety latches at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2006-01-10-0 for additional context.

Yes — operating controls must be clearly marked, or a chart indicating their function must be posted at the operator's position, per 1917.45(f)(1)(i).

• Clear labeling reduces operator error and improves safety during complex operations.

Yes — after October 3, 1984, overhead bridge and container gantry crane operating control levers must be self-centering so they return to "off" when the operator releases them, as specified by 1917.45(f)(1)(ii).

• Self-centering controls help prevent unintended crane movement if the operator releases the control.

Boom stops are required when a crane has an elevatable boom and lacks operable automatic limiting devices, and boom elevation could exceed maximum design angles from horizontal; see 1917.45(f)(2).

• If the crane has an automatic limiter, a boom stop may not be needed; follow the manufacturer's design and guidance.

Access must be provided (ladders, stairways, grab irons, etc.) so employees can safely reach cabs, footwalks and superstructure areas, and footwalks must be rigid and support 100 lb/ft², per 1917.45(f)(4) and 1917.45(f)(4)(i).

• Vertical ladders over 20 feet must meet the ladder requirements in 1917.118(d) and 1917.118(e)(1) and the referenced subparagraphs 1917.118(e)(2)(iii) and 1917.118(e)(2)(iv).
• Stairways must have rigid handrails that meet 1917.112(e).

The cab, controls and mechanisms must be arranged so the operator has a clear view of the load or the signalman, and cab glass (if used) must be safety plate glass or equivalent; cranes with missing, broken or dirty glass that impair visibility shall not be used, as required by 1917.45(f)(5)(i).

• Store clothing, tools and equipment so they do not block visibility or access.

Cranes must be operated only with the specified type and amount of ballast or counterweights and those weights must be located and secured only as provided in the manufacturer's or design specifications, which must be available, per 1917.45(f)(6).

• Do not modify ballast without following manufacturer guidance or approved engineering analysis.

Outriggers must be used according to the manufacturer's specifications or design data, which must be available; floats used on outriggers must be securely attached, as required by 1917.45(f)(7).

• Support (e.g., wood blocking) must be sized and free of defects to prevent shifting or toppling (1917.45(f)(8)).

Yes — at least one portable fire extinguisher of at least 5-BC rating or equivalent must be accessible in the cab of the crane or derrick, as required by 1917.45(f)(10)(i).

• Extinguishers using carbon tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane are prohibited (1917.45(f)(10)(ii)).

At least three full turns of rope must remain on ungrooved drums, and two turns on grooved drums under all operating conditions, and wire rope must be secured to drums by clamps or equivalent means, per 1917.45(f)(11).

• Regularly inspect rope and drum attachments for wear and securement.

No — fiber rope fastenings are prohibited under 1917.45(f)(12).

• Use approved wire rope terminations and secure hardware as the manufacturer specifies.

Each independent hoisting unit must have at least one holding brake applied directly to the motor shaft or gear train; except for certain worm-geared hoists, a controlled braking means is also required to control lowering speeds, and holding brakes must meet the required percentages of rated load torque as specified in 1917.45(f)(13).

• Power control braking means must be capable of maintaining safe lowering speeds of rated loads (1917.45(f)(13)(iv)).

Rail-mounted bridge and portal cranes located outside enclosed structures must have an operable wind-indicating device and posted operating instructions; when wind reaches warning speed gantry travel must stop and cranes must be readied for shutdown, and at shutdown speed portions spanning a vessel must be moved clear if safe and the crane secured, per 1917.45(g)(3) and 1917.45(g)(4).

• Employers must monitor local weather conditions by subscribing to a weather service or an equivalent means (1917.45(g)(5)).

Rail-mounted cranes must have an effective travel warning device to warn employees in the crane's path and means of communication between the operator's cab and the base of the gantry (telephone, radio, sound-signalling, or other effective methods), and communication cannot rely solely on hand-signalling, as required by 1917.45(g)(9) and 1917.45(g)(10).

• Ensure the chosen communication method is reliable in your environment and that employees are trained to use it.

Limit switch bypass systems must be secured during all cargo operations and may not be used except in an emergency or for non-cargo handling operations such as stowing or repairs; any bypass or readjustment must be done only under the direction of a crane mechanic, per 1917.45(g)(11).

• Unauthorized use of bypasses during cargo operations is prohibited to prevent unsafe crane travel or motions.

No — an operator who becomes incapacitated and unable to complete load handling must not leave the controls while the load is suspended; employers must ensure operators are physically able to perform their duties without unscheduled interruption, as explained by OSHA in the crane operator medical condition interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2013-09-13 and consistent with 1917.45(f)(5)(i).

• Employers should screen, monitor, and assign duties so that operators will not be required to leave controls during suspended-load operations.

You may add a strobe or other device, but if the modification could affect the vehicle's capacity or safe operation you must get the manufacturer's prior written approval or written approval from a professional engineer experienced with the equipment who has consulted with the manufacturer, as explained in OSHA's strobe lights interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2004-12-21-0 and consistent with modifications requirements in [1917.45] (see related powered-vehicle modification guidance).

• After modification, operators may require refresher training per applicable powered-truck/operator training rules.

Yes — the rated loads of bridge cranes must be plainly marked on each side of the crane and in the cab; if more than one hoisting unit exists, each hoist must have its rated load marked on it or on its load block, legible from ground level, per 1917.45(g)(2).

• Proper marking helps operators and riggers verify capacity before lifts.

Yes — a locomotive crane may hoist loads only without outriggers if other means are taken to prevent the load from being carried by the truck springs of the crane.

• The rule requires outriggers unless the employer provides an alternative method that keeps the load off the truck springs, Stabilizing of locomotive cranes in 1917.45(h).
• Make sure any alternative method is effective and documented so the crane remains stable during hoisting.

A designated person must direct the operation and instruct personnel on positioning, rigging, and the movements to be made.

• One person must be in charge to coordinate the lift, assign signals, and ensure safe rigging and movement, Use of cranes together in 1917.45(i)(1).
• Document the plan for the lift and make sure all crew members understand their roles before hoisting.

Accessible areas within the swing radius of a revolving crane must be physically guarded to prevent employees from being caught between the crane body and fixed structures or between parts of the crane.

• Physical guarding means barriers, railings, or other hard controls that prevent entry into the swing zone while the crane is operating, Guarding of swing radius in 1917.45(i)(2).
• Post clear signage and make the guarded area obvious during operations.

The crane's superstructure and boom must be secured against rotation and carried in line with the direction of travel, except when negotiating turns with an operator in the cab or when the boom is supported on a dolly.

• Keep the superstructure and boom aligned with travel to prevent unexpected swings, Securing mobile crane components in transit in 1917.45(i)(3).
• Use positive locks, pins, or other securement devices recommended by the manufacturer.

Yes — the standard requires that the empty hook or other attachment be secured.

• Secure empty hooks to prevent them from swinging, snagging, or becoming a hazard during movement or transit, 1917.45(i).

Before leaving a crane unattended between work periods you must land suspended loads (unless a safe storage position is provided), disengage clutches, shut off the power supply, secure the crane against accidental travel, and lower or secure the boom against movement.

• Land suspended devices like magnets or buckets unless the storage position provides equivalent safety, Landing suspended loads in 1917.45(i)(4)(i).
• Disengage clutches, shut off power, secure travel locks, and lower or block the boom per Unattended cranes in 1917.45(i)(4).

You must maintain at least 10 feet clearance for lines rated 50 kV or below; for lines over 50 kV maintain 10 feet plus 0.4 inch per kV over 50 kV or twice the insulator length (but never less than 10 feet); and in transit with no load and boom lowered keep at least 4 feet clearance.

• ≤50 kV: minimum 10 feet, 1917.45(i)(5)(i)(A).

• 50 kV: 10 ft + 0.4 in per kV over 50 kV or twice the insulator length (never less than 10 ft), 1917.45(i)(5)(i)(B).

• In transit, no load, boom lowered: minimum 4 feet, 1917.45(i)(5)(i)(C).

No — cage-type boom guards, insulating links, or proximity warning devices may be used in addition to other protections but cannot replace the clearance distances required by the standard.

• These devices are supplemental safety measures and do not relieve the employer of keeping required minimum clearances, Boom guards in 1917.45(i)(5)(ii).

An employer must presume any overhead line is energized until the line owner indicates it is not energized.

• Always treat lines as live and take precautions (clearances, de-energizing, or insulating barriers) until the owner confirms the line is de-energized, Determination of energized lines in 1917.45(i)(5)(iii).

Employees may be hoisted only on intermodal container spreaders equipped per the standard, in a boatswain's chair or similar secure device, or on a platform that meets the specified requirements.

• Intermodal container spreaders must be equipped with a personnel platform meeting 1917.45(j)(8) and lifts using spreaders cannot hoist employees while a load is engaged, 1917.45(j)(9).
• Boatswain's chairs are allowed if rigged to prevent accidental disengagement, 1917.45(j)(1)(ii).
• Platforms must meet the platform requirements of 1917.45(j)(1)(iii).

Platforms used to hoist employees must be enclosed by a railing or provide protection equivalent to that described in 1917.112(c).

• The standard explicitly ties platform enclosure requirements to the protective measures in 1917.112(c), Platform enclosure in 1917.45(j)(1)(iii)(A).
• If railings are open, toe boards are required, and other platform features are specified in 1917.45(j)(1)(iii).

Personnel platforms must have a safety factor of four based on ultimate strength, bear a plate or permanent marking with the maximum load rating and platform weight, prevent accidental opening of access doors, provide overhead protection if exposed to falling objects, and be secured to the load line by means other than wedge and socket attachments unless the free end is clamped back.

• Safety factor and marking: 1917.45(j)(1)(iii)(B) and (C).
• Access door control and overhead protection: 1917.45(j)(1)(iii)(D) and (E).
• Secure attachment methods: 1917.45(j)(1)(iii)(F).

Except in an emergency, the hoisting mechanism for lifting personnel must operate only in power up and power down with automatic brake application when not hoisting or lowering, and the operator must remain at the controls while employees are hoisted.

• Hoist control and automatic brake: 1917.45(j)(2).
• Operator must remain at controls: 1917.45(j)(6).
• OSHA interpretation clarifies that an operator who becomes incapacitated or leaves the controls while a load is suspended creates an unsafe condition and must not abandon the controls, Crane operator medical condition scenario (2013-09-13).

Cranes must not travel while employees are hoisted except in emergencies or for normal tier-to-tier transfers during container operations, and all cranes and derricks used to hoist personnel must be equipped with an anti-two-blocking device.

• No travel while personnel are hoisted except limited exceptions, 1917.45(j)(7).
• Anti-two-blocking device required on all personnel hoisting cranes, 1917.45(j)(10).

Personnel platforms on intermodal container spreaders must have fixed railings with one or more access openings fitted with a means of closure (like chains with hooks); existing railings must be at least 36 inches high and new railings installed after October 3, 1983 must be 42 inches ± 3 inches.

• Fixed railings, access closures, and height requirements are specified in 1917.45(j)(8).
• The platform must also comply with certain marking and securing provisions found in 1917.45(j)(1)(iii)(C),(D),(F).

Platforms or devices used to hoist employees must be inspected for defects before each day's use and removed from service if defective.

• Do a daily pre-use check and immediately remove defective equipment from service, 1917.45(j)(4).

Designated persons must visually inspect each crane each day of use, thoroughly inspect functional components and accessible structural features monthly, correct any hazardous defects before further use with repairs done only by designated persons, and keep monthly inspection records for six months on or with the equipment or at the terminal.

• Daily visual inspection and reporting, 1917.45(k)(1).
• Thorough monthly inspection of functional components, 1917.45(k)(2).
• Correct hazards before further use and limit repairs to designated persons, 1917.45(k)(3).
• Maintain records for six months, 1917.45(k)(4).

No — an operator who becomes incapacitated or unable to complete the load-handling operation must not leave the controls while a load is suspended because doing so creates an unsafe condition.

• OSHA's interpretation states employers must ensure operators assigned to equipment are physically able to perform tasks without unscheduled interruptions that could affect safety, and abandoning controls while a load is suspended may lead to a citation, Crane operator medical condition scenario (2013-09-13).

Whether a safety latch is required depends on the activity, but for cranes in marine terminals the maritime standard requires crane hooks to be latched or otherwise secured to prevent accidental load disengagement.

• OSHA's letter explains that maritime standards include an explicit requirement that "Crane hooks shall be latched or otherwise secured to prevent accidental load disengagement," and recommends latch-equipped hooks where practical, Safety latches on sling hooks (2006-01-10).