Tower crane requirements

Yes. Under 1926.1435(a) all sections of Subpart CC apply to tower cranes unless the tower crane section specifically says otherwise. See 1926.1435(a).

The provisions in 1926.1403, 1926.1404, 1926.1405, and 1926.1406 apply to tower crane erecting, climbing, and dismantling, with the term "assembly/disassembly" replaced by "erecting, climbing and dismantling" and "disassembly" replaced by "dismantling." See 1926.1435(b)(1) and 1926.1404.

No. Under 1926.1435(b)(2) employees must not be in or under the tower, jib, or rotating portion during those activities until the crane is secured in a locked position and the competent person in charge indicates it is safe to enter, unless the manufacturer's instructions say otherwise and only necessary personnel are in the area. See 1926.1435(b)(2) and 1926.1404(e).

Tower crane foundations and structural supports must be designed by the crane manufacturer or a registered professional engineer. See 1926.1435(b)(3).

The assembly/disassembly (A/D) director must determine that tower crane foundations and structural supports are installed in accordance with their design. See 1926.1435(b)(4)(i).

The A/D director must address backward stability for swinging self‑erecting cranes and cranes on traveling or static undercarriages to ensure the crane will not tip backward during swinging. See 1926.1435(b)(4)(ii) and the related hazards in 1926.1404(h).

Wind must not exceed the speed recommended by the manufacturer, or if the manufacturer does not specify a limit, the wind speed must be determined by a qualified person. See 1926.1435(b)(4)(iii).

If the manufacturer does not specify a plumb tolerance, the crane tower must be plumb to at least 1:500 (about 1 inch in 40 feet), and the plumbness must be verified by a qualified person. See 1926.1435(b)(5).

No. On jobsites with more than one fixed‑jib (hammerhead) tower crane, the cranes must be located so that no crane can come in contact with another crane's structure; cranes may pass over one another. See 1926.1435(b)(6).

A registered professional engineer must verify that the host structure is strong enough to sustain the forces imposed through the braces, brace anchorages, and supporting floors prior to and during climbing. See 1926.1435(b)(7)(ii).

No. A tower crane must not be erected, dismantled, or operated without the amount and position of counterweight and/or ballast specified by the manufacturer or a registered professional engineer familiar with the equipment. Also, the maximum specified counterweight/ballast must not be exceeded. See 1926.1435(b)(8)(i) and 1926.1435(b)(8)(ii).

When manufacturer specifications for sign size and location are unavailable, a registered professional engineer familiar with the equipment must approve in writing the size and location of any signs. See 1926.1435(c).

No. Section 1926.1415 does not apply to tower cranes; tower cranes have their own safety device requirements in 1926.1435(d). See 1926.1435(d)(1).

A hoist brake, a swing brake, a trolley brake, and a rail travel brake must automatically set in the event of pressure loss or power failure. See 1926.1435(d)(2)(vii)(A–D).

No. Operations must be stopped and the crane taken out of service if a required safety device stops working; operations cannot resume until the device is again working properly and alternative measures are not permitted. See 1926.1435(d)(3) and 1926.1417(f).

If the trolley travel limiting device (a Category I operational aid) is not working, temporary alternatives are either marking the trolley rope at a point visible to the operator so they can stop before the end stops, or using a spotter in direct communication with the operator when operations occur within 10 feet of the trolley end stops. Repairs must be completed within 7 calendar days unless parts are ordered (see exception). See 1926.1435(e)(5)(i) and 1926.1435(e)(5)(i)(A).

An anti two‑blocking device must automatically prevent contact between the load block/overhaul ball and the boom tip (or fixed upper block) at all points where two‑blocking could occur. If it fails, temporary measures include clearly marking the cable so the operator can stop in time, or using a spotter in direct communication with the operator. Repairs must meet Category I timeframes (7 days unless parts ordered). See 1926.1435(e)(5)(iii).

Tower cranes manufactured after November 8, 2011 must be equipped with a hoist drum lower limiting device that prevents the last two wraps of hoist cable from being spooled off the drum. If the device fails, temporary measures (mark the cable or use a spotter) apply. See 1926.1435(e)(5)(iv).

If the load moment limiting device (Category I) is not working, the temporary measures are to use a radius indicating device (or measure the radius manually), determine load weight from an industry‑recognized source or calculation, and provide that information to the operator before the lift. Repairs must follow the Category I repair timeframe. See 1926.1435(e)(5)(v).

A wind speed indicator must be mounted above the upper rotating structure on tower cranes; on self‑erecting cranes it must be mounted at or above jib level. Temporary alternatives are to use a properly functioning wind indicator on another tower crane on the same site or have a qualified person estimate wind speed. See 1926.1435(e)(6)(v).

Luffing boom tower cranes must have a boom angle indicator readable from the operator's station, and hammerhead tower cranes manufactured after November 8, 2011 must have a hook radius indicator readable from the operator's station. If these indicators malfunction, measuring devices or manual radius measurements are acceptable temporary alternatives. See 1926.1435(e)(6)(i)(A–C).

If those deceleration devices malfunction, the employer must post a notice in the cab informing the operator of the malfunction and instructing the operator to take special care to reduce speed when approaching the limits; these are acceptable temporary alternative measures until repair. See 1926.1435(e)(6)(ii–iv).

If a hoist line pull limiting device fails, the operator must ensure the hoist capacity is not exceeded by confirming load weight and gear ratio limits; if the rail travel limiting device fails, a spotter in direct communication must be used when operations occur within 10 feet of rail end stops. Both are Category I devices and must be repaired within the required timeframe (see 1926.1435(e)(5)). See 1926.1435(e)(5)(vi–vii).

Category II operational aids must be repaired no later than 30 calendar days after the deficiency occurs. Exception: if the employer documents ordering necessary parts within 7 calendar days and the parts are delayed, the repair must be completed within 7 calendar days of receipt of the parts. See 1926.1435(e)(6).

Before each crane component is erected, a qualified person must inspect it for damage or excessive wear; they must pay particular attention to components that will be hard to inspect during shift inspections, and any component found to create a safety hazard must not be erected until repaired and re‑inspected. Components needing monitoring must be included in monthly inspections. See 1926.1435(f)(2)(i–iii).

After each erection, a load test using certified weights (or scaled weights with a calibrated scale and current calibration certificate) must be conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions when available, or according to written load test procedures developed by a registered professional engineer when manufacturer's instructions are unavailable. See 1926.1435(f)(3)(i–ii).

Monthly inspections must include checking tower (mast) bolts and other structural bolts for loose or dislodged conditions from the base of the tower crane up (or those above the upper‑most brace support if tied to the structure), and inspecting the upper‑most tie‑in, braces, floor supports and floor wedges where the crane is supported by the structure for loose or dislodged components. See 1926.1435(f)(4)(i–ii).

In addition to items in 1926.1412(f), all turntable and tower bolts must be inspected annually for proper condition and torque. See 1926.1435(f)(5).