Vessel crane safety requirements

You must not use the crane and you must report the defect immediately to the officer in charge of the vessel. This is required by 1918.55(a).

• Stop operations with that crane until the defect is corrected or an authorized officer directs otherwise.
• Report details of the defect (what, when noticed, who saw it) to the officer in charge so repairs or removal from service can be arranged.

Cites: 1918.55(a).

No — a crane with missing, broken, scratched, or dirty glass that impairs operator visibility must not be used. That is the requirement of 1918.55(b)(1).

• If visibility is impaired, take the crane out of service and restore clear visibility before resuming operations.
• Document the defect and report it to the officer in charge as required under 1918.55(a).

Cites: 1918.55(b)(1).

Clothing, tools, and equipment must be stored so they do not interfere with access, operation, or the operator's view. That is required by 1918.55(b)(2).

• Keep walkways, control access, and sight lines clear of loose items.
• Secure tools and equipment so they cannot shift and block controls or the operator’s visual field.

Cites: 1918.55(b)(2).

You must physically guard accessible areas within the swing radius or travel path, or use an equally effective means to prevent employees from being caught between the crane and structures; verbal warnings alone are not sufficient. This is required by 1918.55(c)(1).

• Examples of acceptable measures include physical barriers, exclusion zones, or interlocks that keep people out of danger areas.
• Post signage and use trained watchstanders in addition to physical guarding when needed, but do not rely solely on verbal warnings.

Cites: 1918.55(c)(1).

No — limit switch bypass systems must be secured during all cargo operations and may be used only in an emergency or during non-cargo handling activities under direction of a vessel officer. That is required by 1918.55(c)(2).

• If a bypass is necessary for stowing cranes, performing repairs, or in an emergency, it must be done only under the officer of the vessel’s direction.
• Secure bypass systems when cargo handling resumes to restore normal safety interlocks.

Cites: 1918.55(c)(2).

At least three full turns of rope must remain on ungrooved drums and at least two full turns on grooved drums under all operating conditions. That is required by 1918.55(c)(3).

• Monitor rope position during lifts so the required number of turns is maintained.
• Taglines or planned lift procedures can help ensure rope is not run down to an unsafe point.

Cites: 1918.55(c)(3).

You must stop using the crane if its brakes are unable to hold the load; crane brakes must be monitored during use. That requirement is in 1918.55(c)(4).

• Remove the crane from service for inspection and repair if braking performance is inadequate.
• Tag the crane out of service and notify the officer in charge until qualified maintenance corrects the problem.

Cites: 1918.55(c)(4).

No — cranes shall not be used if control levers operate with excessive friction or excessive play. This is required by 1918.55(c)(5).

• Have the controls adjusted or repaired by qualified personnel before returning the crane to service.
• Excessive play or binding can lead to unintended movements and serious hazards; tag out the crane until corrected.

Cites: 1918.55(c)(5).

No — when cranes have power-down capability there must be no free fall of the gear while a load is attached. That is required by 1918.55(c)(6).

• Ensure descent controls, brakes, and mechanical locks are maintained so loads cannot free fall.
• If free-fall movement is possible, take the crane out of service until repaired.

Cites: 1918.55(c)(6).

A designated person must direct the operation and instruct personnel on positioning, rigging of the gear, and the movements to be made. That is required by 1918.55(c)(7).

• The designated person coordinates synchronization, ensures proper rigging, and communicates signals and tempo to each operator.
• Document the plan and ensure all involved operators and riggers understand it before lifting.

Cites: 1918.55(c)(7).

When cranes are left unattended between work periods you must comply with the provisions of 1918.66(b)(4)(i) through (v).

• Follow each specific requirement in 1918.66(b)(4)(i) through 1918.66(b)(4)(v) to secure the crane between work periods.
• If you need practical steps for your operation, consult those subsections for the detailed measures to secure unattended cranes.

Cites: 1918.55(d) and 1918.66(b)(4)(i)-(v).

No — an operator who becomes incapacitated must not leave the controls while a load is suspended; employers must ensure operators are physically able to perform the job without unscheduled interruption. This is OSHA's interpretation in the Crane operator medical condition scenario letter of interpretation and aligns with the safe operation expectations of longshoring rules such as 1918.55.

• If an operator has a medical condition that could cause sudden incapacitation, the employer must not assign them to suspended-load operations unless the condition is controlled.
• Employers should evaluate fitness for duty, assign backups, and have procedures to secure suspended loads safely if an operator is unable to continue.

Cites: OSHA Letter of Interpretation, Crane operator medical condition scenario and 1918.55.

Yes — crane hooks must be latched or otherwise secured to prevent accidental load disengagement where applicable; OSHA has explained this requirement and related guidance in its Letter of Interpretation on safety latches and the maritime standards. See OSHA's interpretation Safety latches on sling hooks and the maritime requirement at 1918.66.

• Use self-closing safety latches or equivalent positive means (shackles, securing devices) when necessary to prevent accidental disengagement during cargo handling.
• If a latch is impractical for the application, document the justification and use another positive securing method.

Cites: OSHA Letter of Interpretation, Safety latches on sling hooks and 1918.66.

Only an officer of the vessel may direct the use of a limit switch bypass during non-cargo operations or emergencies. That requirement is stated in 1918.55(c)(2).

• Ensure the officer documents their direction and that the bypass is secured again before cargo operations resume.
• Use bypasses only for stowing cranes, performing repairs, or in emergencies as allowed by the rule.

Cites: 1918.55(c)(2).

You should plan lifts and monitor rope payout so that at least three full turns remain on ungrooved drums and two on grooved drums throughout the lift, as required by 1918.55(c)(3).

• Pre-check the drum and mark a reference to know when you are approaching the minimum turns.
• Use taglines, lift sequencing, or alternative rigging to avoid running the rope down to the drum end.

Cites: 1918.55(c)(3).

Before use, operators should check that brakes hold the load and that control levers operate smoothly without excessive friction or play; if problems are found the crane must not be used. These checks are required by 1918.55(c)(4) and 1918.55(c)(5).

• Test brake performance with a safe test load or test procedure before lifting personnel or critical loads.
• Verify controls move smoothly through their full range and return correctly; report and tag out defects immediately.

Cites: 1918.55(c)(4) and 1918.55(c)(5).

The designated person should provide clear instructions and a coordinated plan describing the positioning, rigging, and movements to be made, and must direct the operation. This is required by 1918.55(c)(7).

• The plan should include lift sequence, signal protocol, load distribution, and emergency stop procedures.
• Make sure all operators and riggers understand and acknowledge the plan before starting the lift.

Cites: 1918.55(c)(7).

You must stop using that crane immediately and remove it from service until the power-down/free-fall and braking defects are corrected. 1918.55(c)(6) forbids free fall when a load is attached, and 1918.55(c)(4) requires brakes to hold the load.

• Tag out the crane and notify the officer in charge; arrange for qualified maintenance to inspect, repair, and test the descent and brake systems.
• Do not resume cargo operations until tests confirm that there is no free-fall condition and brakes perform properly.

Cites: 1918.55(c)(6) and 1918.55(c)(4).