The thought of an OSHA Compliance Office visiting a construction site may make some cringe.
OSHA released a ‘directive for enforcing requirements of the Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard.’ The purpose of the directive is to give OSHA personnel a basis on how to conduct their inspections at construction sites when equipment covered by Subpart CC are present.
The items outlined below are just the minimum a Compliance Office follows during their inspection. The officer can include items in the inspection from other applicable requirements if the reason for the inspection is a fatality, compliant/referral inspection, or if a hazardous condition is present.
- Are ground conditions adequate, including support/foundation, matting, cribbing, blocking, etc?
- Is there visibly apparent need for repairs of equipment?
- Are nearby power lines energized; what is the voltage; what is the crane’s working area; and what are the encroachment prevention procedures?
- Is a signal person used and do they have documentation of qualification, electronic or physical?
- Is the qualified signal person the one communicating with the operator?
- Are lift plans being followed, if used?
- If hoisting personnel, who determined it was necessary?
- Are meetings being conducting for working near power lines, A/D work or hoisting?
- Is all available rigging equipment compliant?
- Are load charts and OEM manual’s available for the specific equipment used?
- Is the operator qualified, trained and competent?
- Are equipment and wire rope inspections being conducted; by whom; and are they qualified?
- Are safety devices and operational aids functioning?
- Are there any visual deficiencies of hoisting equipment, components and load line?
- How is weight of load determined?
- Are qualified riggers being used for A/D work and when in the fall zone?
- Who is the A/D Director and are they present?
- Are oilers and mechanics qualified; are they communicating with the operator; and are they protected in hazardous areas?
- Are personal fall arrest systems in compliance?
Read more form OSHA
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