Crane load indicating devices

Yes — every crane placed into service after October 3, 1984 must have a load indicating device or an alternative device in proper working condition, except for a few specific exemptions listed in the rule. See 1917.46(a)(1) for the general requirement and the specific exemptions in 1917.46(a)(1)(viii).

• Exemptions include certain trolley-equipped bridge or overhead cranes handling intermodal containers in compliance with 1917.71, clamshell or magnet bulk-handling, hose-handling during liquid transfer, and lifting units whose gross weight is permanently marked and never exceeds 11,200 lbs. under the operating conditions described in 1917.46(a)(1)(viii)(A)–(D).

No — a dynamometer or simple scale used alone does not meet the requirement for a cab indication of actual weight. The device must provide a direct cab indication of the actual weight hoisted or a means to determine weight by referencing crane ratings posted and visible to the operator, and a dynamometer or simple scale alone is explicitly excluded. See 1917.46(a)(1)(i)(A).

• If you use a dynamometer it must be part of a system that satisfies the direct indication or reference-to-ratings requirement in 1917.46(a)(1)(i).

Yes — a device that provides cab indications of the radius and the corresponding load at the moment of the lift is an acceptable alternative. The standard allows indications in the cab according to radius and load as one of the compliant device types. See 1917.46(a)(1)(i)(B).

• If your system uses radius-based indications, ensure the operator can reliably determine allowable capacity at that radius and that required markings and accuracy rules are followed per 1917.46(a)(1)(v) and 1917.46(a)(1)(ii).

Yes — a device that directly prevents an overload from occurring is an acceptable alternative to providing a numeric readout in the cab. The standard lists a direct means to prevent an overload as one of the acceptable device types. See 1917.46(a)(1)(i)(C).

• If the system provides no readout but automatically ceases operation at rated limits, you still must provide conspicuous markings describing the make/model, what it does, operating instructions, and precautions as required in 1917.46(a)(1)(v) and the related paragraph on no-readout systems in 1917.46(a)(1)(vi).

The device must indicate loads within a range of 95% to 110% of the actual true total load — that is, readings may be between 5% underload and 10% overload of the actual applied load. See 1917.46(a)(1)(ii).

• "Actual true total load" includes the lifted weight plus any additional equipment or "add-ons" such as slings, sensors, blocks, or other rigging.
• Accuracy must be maintained over the range of daily operating variables reasonably anticipated under your conditions of use, per the same paragraph.

The operator must be able to determine, before making any lift, that the indicating or substitute system is operative; if that is not possible, the device may only be used if the manufacturer certifies it will remain operable within the required accuracy for a specific period and the device has been certified and checked at each certification survey. See 1917.46(a)(1)(iii) and the certification survey requirement at 1917.50.

• Accuracy checks using known load values must be performed at each certification survey and as the manufacturer recommends.
• If the operator cannot verify operability from the cab, maintain the manufacturer certification paperwork and schedule the required checks in 1917.50.

If a load indicating device is installed in the crane's supporting system in a way that its failure could cause the load to be dropped, the device's strength must not be the limiting factor of the crane structure. See 1917.46(a)(1)(iv).

• In practice, that means the structural members and attachments around the device must be engineered so the device cannot fail first; design and installation should follow manufacturer guidance or a qualified engineer's approval.

You must conspicuously mark the indicating system with units of measure (pounds or both pounds and kilograms), the capacity of the indicating system, its accuracy, and operating instructions and precautions. If the system uses non-weight indications, the marking must describe the means of measurement, capacity, accuracy, and operating instructions and precautions. All weight and loading indications required must be readily visible to the operator. See 1917.46(a)(1)(v).

• Make sure labels are durable and placed so operators can read them from the cab during normal operation.

All load indicating devices must be operative over the crane's full operating radius, and overall accuracy must be based on the actual applied load at that radius—not on full-scale (maximum) capacity. See 1917.46(a)(1)(vi).

• This prevents a device calibrated only at full capacity from giving misleadingly permissive readings at lower rated capacities (the explanatory note in the same paragraph gives a practical example).

Yes — trolley-equipped bridge or overhead cranes handling intermodal containers identified as empty or loaded can be exempt from the load indicating device requirement if they operate in compliance with the provisions of [1917.71]. See 1917.46(a)(1)(viii)(A) and 1917.71.

• Even when exempt from load indicators, these operations must meet all applicable requirements in 1917.71 and any other pertinent marine terminal rules.

A crane may be exempt if it handles cargo or equipment whose total actual gross weight is known by marking on the units hoisted, that the gross weight never exceeds 11,200 lbs., and that 11,200 lbs. is less than the crane's rated capacity at the maximum outreach possible during use. See 1917.46(a)(1)(viii)(D).

• The marked gross weight must be accurate and the crane’s rated capacity at the maximum outreach must exceed 11,200 lbs. under actual conditions of use.

A conversion chart must be provided whenever it is necessary to convert between degrees of radius and feet or meters. This ensures operators can interpret radius-based indications correctly. See 1917.46(a)(1)(viii).

• Place the conversion chart where the operator can quickly use it when the device gives radius in degrees rather than linear units.

When the operator cannot verify operability from the cab, the device may still be used only if the manufacturer certifies it will remain operable within the accuracy limits for a stated period and accuracy checks using known loads are performed at every certification survey. See 1917.46(a)(1)(iii) and the certification provisions at 1917.50.

• Keep certification records and perform the accuracy checks at each certification survey as required in 1917.50.
• Follow any additional manufacturer-recommended checks between surveys.

Yes — the indicated load or limit must include the sum of the actual weight hoisted plus any additional equipment or "add-ons" such as slings, sensors, blocks, and similar items; the device's accuracy must meet the 95%–110% range for that total. See 1917.46(a)(1)(ii).

• Make sure rigging weight is estimated or measured and included in load calculations and device calibration.

You must not rely on that device for safe lifting unless it is certified by the manufacturer to remain operable within required accuracy limits for a specified period and has been verified at a certification survey; otherwise the operator must not make lifts relying on the inoperative system. See 1917.46(a)(1)(iii) and 1917.50.

• If in doubt, use alternative approved procedures (e.g., certified weights, manufacturer guidance) and do not lift until compliance and safety are confirmed.

Because basing accuracy on full-scale capacity can produce very large allowable error ranges at smaller loads and outreach positions, the rule requires accuracy be based on the actual applied load so the acceptable error remains proportionate to the load in use. See 1917.46(a)(1)(vi).

• The standard includes an explanatory example: a ±10% tolerance based on full-scale could permit dangerously wide errors at low-rated capacities; basing tolerances on actual applied load keeps accuracy meaningful across the operating radius.

If the system provides no readout but automatically stops crane operation when rated limits are reached, you must conspicuously mark the make and model of the device, describe what it does, explain how it is operated, and list any necessary precautions; also ensure any required weight or loading indications are visible to the operator. See the no-readout marking requirement and visibility rule in 1917.46(a)(1)(v) and the related paragraph on systems that provide no readout in 1917.46(a)(1)(vi).

• Keep operation and limitation details with the crane’s documentation so operators and inspectors can confirm proper use.

No — an operator who becomes incapacitated or leaves the controls while a load is suspended is not permitted to abandon the load; the employer must ensure the assigned operator is physically able to complete the operation without unscheduled interruptions that could affect safety. See the crane operator interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2013-09-13 and the requirement to determine device operability before lifting in 1917.46(a)(1)(iii).

• If the indicating system cannot be verified from the cab, the employer must follow the manufacturer certification and survey rules in 1917.46(a)(1)(iii) and 1917.50 rather than having the operator leave a suspended load.

Yes — markings must show units of measure in pounds or both pounds and kilograms; the capacity, accuracy, and operating instructions and precautions must also be conspicuously marked. See 1917.46(a)(1)(v).

• Use clear, durable markings so operators can readily read and interpret the unit of measurement while operating the crane.

Accuracy checks using known loads must be performed at the time of every certification survey and at any additional times recommended by the manufacturer; certification surveys are conducted per [1917.50]. See 1917.46(a)(1)(iii) and 1917.50.

• Keep records of the certification surveys and the known-load accuracy checks as required by 1917.50.

You must ensure the retrofit installation is engineered so the load cell (or other device) cannot fail before the crane's primary structural elements; provide conspicuous markings for capacity, accuracy, and operating instructions as required. See 1917.46(a)(1)(iv) and 1917.46(a)(1)(v).

• Have a qualified engineer or the manufacturer evaluate the installation to confirm the device is not the weakest link.
• Verify markings are present and that operators can view required data from the cab.
• Conduct certification checks per 1917.50 after retrofit.