Crane operation procedures

Yes. Employers must comply with all manufacturer procedures that apply to the operational functions of the equipment and its attachments.

• Make sure the operator has and follows the manufacturer's instructions for the model and any attachments in use.
• If manufacturer procedures are unclear, contact the manufacturer for clarification or follow the alternative procedures required by 1926.1417(b).

Reference: 1926.1417(a).

The employer must develop and enforce all procedures necessary for the safe operation of the equipment and attachments when manufacturer procedures are unavailable.

• Operational control procedures must be developed by a qualified person as required by 1926.1417(b)(2).
• Capacity-related procedures must be developed and signed by a registered professional engineer familiar with the equipment as required by 1926.1417(b)(3).

Reference: 1926.1417(b).

They must be readily available in the cab at all times for use by the operator.

• This includes rated capacities (load charts), recommended operating speeds, special hazard warnings, instructions, and the operator's manual as required by 1926.1417(c)(1).
• If rated capacities are only electronic and become inaccessible, the operator must cease operations or follow safe shut-down procedures until the information is available per 1926.1417(c)(2).

Reference: 1926.1417(c).

No. The operator must not engage in any activity that diverts attention while actually operating the equipment, including use of cellular phones, except when the phone is used for signal communications.

• Ensure operators avoid distractions and only use communication devices for required signals.

Reference: 1926.1417(d).

The operator may only leave the controls while a load is suspended if all listed conditions in 1926.1417(e)(1) are met.

• The operator must remain adjacent to the equipment and not be engaged in other duties (1926.1417(e)(1)(i)).
• The load must be held suspended for a period exceeding normal lifting operations (1926.1417(e)(1)(ii)).
• A competent person must determine it is safe and implement measures to restrain boom, hoist, telescoping, load swing, and outriggers/stabilizers (1926.1417(e)(1)(iii)).
• Barricades/caution lines and notices must be erected to prevent anyone from entering the fall zone and no employees are permitted there (1926.1417(e)(1)(iv)).

Reference: 1926.1417(e).

No. The provisions that restrict leaving the controls do not apply to working gear whose weight is negligible relative to the equipment's lifting capacity and that are suspended over an area other than an entrance or exit.

• Examples include slings, spreader bars, ladders, and welding machines when their weight is negligible compared to the crane's capacity (1926.1417(e)(2)).

Reference: 1926.1417(e)(2).

A conspicuous tag must be placed in the cab (or on the affected control) stating that the equipment or function is out of service and is not to be used.

• Tags must clearly indicate the out-of-service status per 1926.1417(f)(1).
• If a tag indicates 'do not operate' on the equipment or starter control, the operator must not start the equipment until the tag is removed by an authorized person or until the operator verifies no one is servicing the machine and it has been repaired and is working properly (1926.1417(f)(2)(i)).

Reference: 1926.1417(f).

Before starting the equipment, the operator must verify that no one is servicing or in a dangerous position on the machine and that the equipment has been repaired and is working properly.

• Alternatively, the operator may wait until the tag is removed by a person authorized to remove it (1926.1417(f)(2)(i)(A) and (B)).

Reference: 1926.1417(f)(2)(i).

The operator must verify that all controls are in the proper starting position and that all personnel are clear.

• Conduct a walk-around and visual check to confirm no one is in hazardous positions before engine start (1926.1417(g)).

Reference: 1926.1417(g).

A competent person must determine whether it is necessary to implement the manufacturer's recommendations for securing the equipment.

• Evaluate manufacturer's guidance for securing booms, counterweights, and other items and act accordingly to protect equipment and workers (1926.1417(h)).

Reference: 1926.1417(h).

The operator must promptly inform, in writing, the person designated by the employer to receive such information and, when there are successive shifts, the next operator; the employer must also notify affected employees at the start of each shift about necessary adjustments or repairs and alternative measures.

• Use the written notice to ensure continuity between shifts and clear communication of hazards and work-arounds (1926.1417(j)(1)–(2)).

Reference: 1926.1417(j).

Before starting to lift, it must be verified that the rope is seated on the drum and in the sheaves as slack is removed.

• The competent person should check rope seating and spooling alignment to prevent unexpected rope failure or unspooling (1926.1417(m)).

Reference: 1926.1417(m).

The competent person must adjust the equipment and/or operations to address effects of wind, ice, and snow on equipment stability and rated capacity.

• This may include reducing rated capacity, changing load positions, securing components, or suspending operations as conditions dictate (1926.1417(n)).

Reference: 1926.1417(n).

Operators must not operate equipment in excess of its rated capacity and must verify load weight by an industry-recognized source or by lifting to test with an approved load-indicating device.

• Determine weight from manufacturer data or recognized calculation methods, and provide that information to the operator prior to the lift if requested (1926.1417(o)(3)(i)).
• Alternatively, begin hoisting and use a load weighing device, load moment indicator, or rated capacity indicator to see if the load exceeds 75% of max rated capacity at the longest radius; if it does, verify weight by (i) before proceeding (1926.1417(o)(3)(ii)).
• The operator must not be required to operate in a way that violates the rated capacity rule (1926.1417(o)(2)).

Reference: 1926.1417(o).

Operators must not lift loads over the front of wheel-mounted equipment except as the manufacturer permits, test brakes when handling loads at or above 90% of max line pull, and not lower loads or booms below points where fewer than two full wraps of rope remain on drums.

• Do not lift over the front of wheel-mounted units unless the manufacturer allows it (1926.1417(r)).
• Test brakes by lifting a few inches when handling loads at 90% or more of max line pull (1926.1417(s)).
• Keep at least two full wraps of rope on drums for both load and boom lines (1926.1417(t)).

Reference: 1926.1417(r), 1926.1417(s), 1926.1417(t).

Traveling with a load is allowed only if the manufacturer permits it; when traveling with a load, a competent person must supervise and make determinations about capacity reductions, load and boom positions, ground support, travel route, overhead obstructions, and speed, and those determinations must be implemented.

• If manufacturer prohibits travel with a load, do not travel with a load (1926.1417(u)(1)).
• Maintain tire pressures specified by the manufacturer for equipment with tires (1926.1417(u)(2)(iii)).

Reference: 1926.1417(u).

Rotational speed must be controlled so the load does not swing beyond a controllable radius, and tag or restraint lines must be used when necessary to prevent hazardous rotation of the load.

• Use tag lines, restraint lines, or personnel designated to control load position as needed (1926.1417(v) and 1926.1417(w)).

Reference: 1926.1417(v), 1926.1417(w).

Brakes must be adjusted according to manufacturer procedures to prevent unintended movement, and anyone who becomes aware of a safety problem must give the stop or emergency stop signal to alert the operator or signal person, who must obey it.

• Perform brake adjustments per the manufacturer's guidance (1926.1417(x)).
• Ensure all workers understand and use the stop/emergency stop signal; the operator is required to obey it (1926.1417(y)).

Reference: 1926.1417(x), 1926.1417(y).

For equipment other than tower cranes, you must operate only with the counterweight or ballast in place as the manufacturer specifies, and you must not exceed the manufacturer's maximum counterweight or ballast.

• Never remove required counterweights or add more than the manufacturer’s maximum (1926.1417(aa)(1)(i)–(ii)).
• Tower crane ballast is covered separately by 1926.1435(b)(8).

Reference: 1926.1417(aa).

Brakes must be tested each time a load that is 90% or more of maximum line pull is handled by lifting the load a few inches and applying the brakes; for duty cycle and repetitive lifts at or above 90%, this test is required for the first lift but not successive lifts.

• For repetitive heavy lifts, perform the brake test on the first lift of the cycle (1926.1417(s)).

Reference: 1926.1417(s).

If hoisting to test indicates the load exceeds 75% of maximum rated capacity at the longest radius to be used, the operator must not proceed with the lift until the weight is verified by an industry-recognized source or calculation.

• Use load information from manufacturers or recognized calculation methods to confirm weight before proceeding (1926.1417(o)(3)(ii)).

Reference: 1926.1417(o)(3)(ii).

Operators must not swing into a position where railway cars on an adjacent track could strike the crane until they determine cars are not being moved on the adjacent track and proper flag protection has been established.

• Coordinate with railroad operations and ensure flagging or other protection is in place before moving the crane near adjacent tracks (1926.1417(z)).

Reference: 1926.1417(z).

A competent person must determine that it is safe for the operator to leave the controls and must implement measures to restrain boom hoist and telescoping, load swing, and outrigger or stabilizer functions.

• The competent person may require mechanical restraints, pins, or other means to prevent unintended movement and must ensure the fall zone is barricaded per 1926.1417(e)(1)(iii)–(iv).

Reference: 1926.1417(e)(1)(iii).

The operator must immediately cease operations or follow safe shut-down procedures until the rated capacities (electronic or other form) are available.

• Maintain a hard-copy backup of load charts or a plan to retrieve rated capacities to avoid unnecessary downtime and ensure compliance (1926.1417(c)(2)).

Reference: 1926.1417(c)(2).

Yes. Employers must assess workplace hazards to determine appropriate PPE and provide written certification of the assessment when PPE is required, consistent with OSHA's PPE standard and the obligation to protect crane operators and other employees.

• Conduct a hazard assessment to identify risks (e.g., falling objects, struck-by hazards, electrical exposure) and select PPE accordingly; keep written certification as required by PPE rules.
• OSHA guidance on hazard assessments explains that employers must assess the workplace and certify the assessment when PPE is required (PPE hazard assessment interpretation) and see general PPE requirements in 29 CFR 1910.132.

Reference: 1926.1417 and OSHA Letter of Interpretation on PPE hazard assessments (https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28).