Question 1

Under 1926.753(a), which provisions of the hoisting and rigging rules apply to steel erection cranes and which specific subsection is excluded?

Accepted Answer

All the hoisting and rigging provisions of Subpart CC apply to hoisting and rigging used in steel erection, except that §1926.1431(a)) is excluded from application under steel erection activities. See §1926.753(a)).

Question 2

Under 1926.753(c)(1), who must perform the pre-shift visual inspection of cranes used in steel erection and what is the basic scope?

Accepted Answer

A competent person must visually inspect cranes prior to each shift and observe for deficiencies during operation. See §1926.753(c)(1)(1)). "Competent person" is responsible for the inspection and must look for deficiencies while the crane is operating. The inspection is a visual pre shift check to identify items listed in §1926.753(c)(1)(i)(1)(i)).

Question 3

Under 1926.753(c)(1)(i), what specific crane components must be checked at a minimum during the pre-shift inspection?

Accepted Answer

At a minimum, the competent person must inspect controls, drive mechanisms, safety devices, pressurized lines, hooks and latches, wire rope reeving, electrical apparatus, hydraulic fluid level, tires, ground conditions, and level position of the hoisting equipment. See §1926.753(c)(1)(i)(1)(i)). Examples from the standard include: §1926.753(c)(1)(i)(A)(1)(i)(A)) (control mechanisms for maladjustments) and §1926.753(c)(1)(i)(E)(1)(i)(E)) (hooks and latches for deformation, cracks, or wear).

Question 4

Under 1926.753(c)(1)(ii)–(iii), what must be done if a pre-shift inspection finds a deficiency on a crane?

Accepted Answer

If a deficiency is found, the competent person must immediately determine whether it constitutes a hazard, and if it does, the hoisting equipment must be removed from service until corrected. See §1926.753(c)(1)(ii)(1)(ii)) and §1926.753(c)(1)(iii)(1)(iii)). If the deficiency is not a hazard, the competent person still documents or monitors it per site procedures. If it is a hazard, stop using the equipment immediately until repairs or corrective actions are completed.

Question 5

Under 1926.753(c)(1)(iv), what authority does the crane operator have during operations if they have safety doubts?

Accepted Answer

The crane operator is responsible for operations under their direct control and has the authority to stop work and refuse to handle loads whenever there is any doubt about safety. See §1926.753(c)(1)(iv)(1)(iv)). This gives operators immediate stop work authority to prevent unsafe lifts or conditions. Employers should support operators who stop work for safety reasons.

Question 6

Under 1926.753(c)(2), who must inspect rigging prior to each shift and what standard governs that inspection?

Accepted Answer

A qualified rigger (a rigger who is also a qualified person) must inspect rigging prior to each shift in accordance with §1926.251]. See [§1926.753(c)(2)(2)) and §1926.251. Use §1926.251 to determine specific rigging inspection items and frequency.

Question 7

Under 1926.753(c)(3)–(4), may the hoist hook or headache ball be used to lift personnel during steel erection?

Accepted Answer

No, the headache ball, hook, or load must not be used to transport personnel, except when cranes or derricks hoist employees on a personnel platform that meets all of §1926.1431] requirements (except for [§1926.1431(a)] which is excluded). See [§1926.753(c)(3)(3)) and §1926.753(c)(4)(4)). If using a personnel platform, the employer must comply with §1926.1431 requirements except for §1926.1431(a)), which is excluded under steel erection per §1926.753(a)).

Question 8

Under 1926.753(c)(5), when may safety latches on hooks be deactivated during steel erection?

Accepted Answer

Safety latches on hooks may only be deactivated when a qualified rigger determines that removing the latch makes hoisting and placing purlins and single joists safer, or when equivalent protection is provided in a site specific erection plan. See §1926.753(c)(5)(5)), §1926.753(c)(5)(i)(5)(i)), and §1926.753(c)(5)(ii)(5)(ii)). Deactivation is strictly limited and must be based on a qualified rigger's determination or a documented site specific plan that offers equivalent safety.

Question 9

Under 1926.753(d)(1), what planning is required for routes of suspended loads to protect employees?

Accepted Answer

Routes for suspended loads must be pre planned so no employee is required to work directly below a suspended load, except those engaged in initial connection of steel or employees necessary for hooking/unhooking the load. See §1926.753(d)(1)(1)) and the exceptions in §1926.753(d)(1)(i)(1)(i)) and §1926.753(d)(1)(ii)(1)(ii)). Pre planning should identify travel paths, exclusion zones, and communication to workers to avoid being under suspended loads.

Question 10

Under 1926.753(d)(2), what requirements must be met when employees are working under suspended loads?

Accepted Answer

When working under suspended loads, materials must be rigged to prevent unintentional displacement, hooks with self closing safety latches or equivalents must be used, and all loads must be rigged by a qualified rigger. See §1926.753(d)(2)(2)) and its subsections §1926.753(d)(2)(i)(2)(i)), §1926.753(d)(2)(ii)(2)(ii)), and §1926.753(d)(2)(iii)(2)(iii)). Ensure rigging prevents slips or sideways movement, use latches, and have qualified riggers perform the rigging.

Question 11

Under 1926.753(e)(1), what are the criteria to perform a multiple lift in steel erection?

Accepted Answer

A multiple lift is allowed only if a multiple lift rigging assembly is used, no more than five members are hoisted per lift, only beams and similar structural members are lifted, all employees involved have training per §1926.761(c)(1)], and the crane manufacturer's specifications do not forbid the multiple lift. See [§1926.753(e)(1)(1)), §1926.753(e)(1)(ii)(1)(ii)), §1926.753(e)(1)(iv)(1)(iv)), and §1926.753(e)(1)(v)(1)(v)). Training must meet §1926.761(c)(1)(1)).

Question 12

Under 1926.753(e)(2) and (3), how must multiple lift rigging assemblies be rated and what load limits apply?

Accepted Answer

Components of a multiple lift rigging assembly must be specifically designed and assembled with a certified maximum capacity for the total assembly and each attachment point, and the total load must not exceed the crane's rated capacity or the rigging capacity specified in the rigging rating chart. See §1926.753(e)(2)(2)), §1926.753(e)(3)(i)(3)(i)), and §1926.753(e)(3)(ii)(3)(ii)). Certification of capacity must be by the manufacturer or a qualified rigger (see §1926.753(e))).

Question 13

Under 1926.753(e) what safety factor is required when certifying multiple lift rigging assembly component capacity?

Accepted Answer

The certified capacity must be based on the manufacturer's specifications with a 5 to 1 safety factor for all components. See §1926.753(e)). Certification may be provided by the manufacturer or a qualified rigger as stated in the standard.

Question 14

Under 1926.753(e)(4)–(6), how must members be rigged and set in a multiple lift assembly?

Accepted Answer

Members in a multiple lift must be attached at their center of gravity and kept reasonably level, rigged from top down, rigged at least 7 feet apart, then set from the bottom up, and controlled load lowering must be used whenever the load is over the connectors. See §1926.753(e)(4)(4)), §1926.753(e)(5)(5)), and §1926.753(e)(6)(6)). Maintain spacing of at least 7 feet (2.1 m) between members and rig so each is level about its center of gravity.

Question 15

Under 1926.753(c)(1)(i)(J) and (K), what ground and level checks are required for hoisting equipment?

Accepted Answer

The pre shift inspection must include checking ground conditions for proper support (including settling, groundwater, or conditions around outriggers) and verifying the hoisting equipment is in a level position. See §1926.753(c)(1)(i)(J)(1)(i)(J)) and §1926.753(c)(1)(i)(K)(1)(i)(K)). Also recheck level after each move and setup as required by §1926.753(c)(1)(i)(L)(1)(i)(L)).

Question 16

Under 1926.753(c)(1)(i)(F), how should wire rope be inspected during pre-shift checks?

Accepted Answer

Wire rope reeving must be inspected for compliance with the hoisting equipment manufacturer's specifications. See §1926.753(c)(1)(i)(F)(1)(i)(F)). Inspect for fraying, broken wires, corrosion, kinking, or other defects as specified by the manufacturer's guidance and repair/replace if outside allowable limits.

Question 17

Under 1926.753(e)(1)(iv) and 1926.761(c)(1), who must be trained for multiple lifts and what training is referenced?

Accepted Answer

All employees engaged in a multiple lift must be trained in the multiple lift procedures in accordance with §1926.761(c)(1)]. See [§1926.753(e)(1)(iv)(1)(iv)) and §1926.761(c)(1)(1)). Training should cover the rigging assembly, signals, hazards, and safe procedures for performing multiple lifts as required by the referenced training provision.

Question 18

Under 1926.753(d)(2)(ii), can hooks without self-closing safety latches be used when employees must work under suspended loads?

Accepted Answer

No, hooks with self closing safety latches or an equivalent means to prevent components from slipping out must be used when working under suspended loads. See §1926.753(d)(2)(ii)(2)(ii)). The only exceptions are when a qualified rigger deactivates the latch per §1926.753(c)(5)(5)) for specific operations with equivalent protection.

Question 19

Under 1926.753(c)(5)(i), when a qualified rigger deactivates a safety latch for placing purlins and single joists, what must justify that action?

Accepted Answer

The qualified rigger must determine that hoisting and placing purlins and single joists can be performed more safely by deactivating the safety latch. See §1926.753(c)(5)(i)(5)(i)). The determination should be documented or evident from the rigging plan and alternative protections must be in place to prevent unintentional disengagement.

Question 20

Under 1926.753(e)(3)(i) and (ii), how do you determine whether a multiple lift's total load is acceptable?

Accepted Answer

Ensure the total load does not exceed the hoisting equipment's rated capacity from the equipment load charts and does not exceed the rigging capacity specified in the rigging rating chart. See §1926.753(e)(3)(i)(3)(i)) and §1926.753(e)(3)(ii)(3)(ii)). Verify both the crane load chart and the rigging chart before performing the lift, and account for load geometry and sling angles when calculating applied loads.

Question 21

Under 1926.753(c)(1)(i)(G) and (H), what electrical and hydraulic checks are required in the pre-shift inspection?

Accepted Answer

The competent person must check electrical apparatus for malfunction, deterioration, dirt, or moisture accumulation and verify hydraulic systems have proper fluid level. See §1926.753(c)(1)(i)(G)(1)(i)(G)) and §1926.753(c)(1)(i)(H)(1)(i)(H)). Correct or remove from service any electrical or hydraulic deficiencies that constitute a hazard as required by §1926.753(c)(1)(ii)–(iii)(1)(ii)).

Question 22

Under 1926.753(c)(1)(i)(I), what must be checked about crane tires during the pre-shift inspection?

Accepted Answer

Tires must be inspected for proper inflation and condition during the pre shift inspection. See §1926.753(c)(1)(i)(I)(1)(i)(I)). Check for cuts, bulges, excessive wear, and correct inflation pressure per the equipment manufacturer's recommendations.

Question 23

Under 1926.753(e)(4)(ii)–(iii), how should rigging be assembled for multiple lifts in terms of direction and spacing?

Accepted Answer

The multiple lift rigging assembly must be rigged from the top down and members must be rigged at least 7 feet (2.1 m) apart. See §1926.753(e)(4)(ii)(4)(ii)) and §1926.753(e)(4)(iii)(4)(iii)). Maintain the spacing to reduce interaction between members and keep them reasonably level per §1926.753(e)(4)(i)(4)(i)).

Question 24

Under 1926.753, where can employers find requirements governing personnel platforms hoisted by cranes during steel erection?

Accepted Answer

Employers must meet all provisions of §1926.1431] (Cranes and Derricks — Personnel Platforms) except [§1926.1431(a)], which is excluded under steel erection per [§1926.753(a)]; see [§1926.753(c)(4)(4)) and §1926.1431.

Hoisting and rigging requirements

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