Crane & Hoist Safety Part 4

All operators shall be trained, competent, and certified in the safe operation of the equipment to be operated in accordance with the applicable legislative requirements. This includes the ability to accurately spot and control loads.

Operator requirements will include but not be limited to the following:

• Satisfactory completion of a written examination covering operational characteristics, controls, and emergency control skills such as response to fire, power line contact, loss of stability, and control malfunction, as well as characteristic and performance questions appropriate to the crane type for which qualification is sought. Contractors may satisfy this requirement by providing a certified crane operator card or journeyman’s certification applicable to the specific jurisdiction.
• Operator’s will demonstrate their ability to read, write, comprehend, and exhibit arithmetic skills and load and capacity chart usage, in the language of the crane manufacturer’s operation and maintenance instruction materials. Contractors may satisfy this requirement by providing a certified crane operator card or journeyman’s certification applicable to the specific jurisdiction.
• Satisfactory completion of a combination written and verbal test on load and capacity chart usage that covers a selection of configurations the crane may be equipped to handle for the type of crane for which competence or qualification is being sought. Contractors may satisfy this requirement by providing a certified crane operator card or journeyman’s certification applicable to the specific jurisdiction.

Note: The whip line shall be disengaged when hoisting from the main load block to prevent the operator from inadvertently booming down and pulling the whip line into the jib.

• When Hoisting loads with the jib, the main block weight shall be added to the overall load weight.