Crane and Rigging Awareness

Why it matters

You do not have to be the crane operator to be killed by the crane. Most crane fatalities are people on the ground: under the load, inside the swing radius, or guiding a load with their hands when it shifted. If the load is in the air, gravity is in charge.

Hazards

• ⚠ Workers under suspended loads
• ⚠ Swing radius of the counterweight crushing workers against structures
• ⚠ Rigging failures from damaged slings or wrong hitch
• ⚠ Loads striking workers during hoisting near the landing zone
• ⚠ Power line contact energizing the whole crane

Controls and safe practices

• ✓ Never position yourself under a suspended load, per 1926.1425. Plan paths so loads never pass over people.
• ✓ Barricade the swing radius of the counterweight, per 1926.1424 practices; treat it like a wall.
• ✓ Inspect rigging before each shift: slings, hooks, shackles, latches. Damaged rigging gets destroyed, not set aside.
• ✓ Use taglines to control loads; guide with the line, never with hands on the load.
• ✓ Only the signal person communicates with the operator; everyone else stays clear and visible.
• ✓ Know the load landing zone before the pick starts and keep it clear.

Crew discussion questions

1. What picks are happening today and where is the swing radius?
2. Who is the signal person, and does everyone know it?
3. Where do today’s loads travel, and does that path cross over anyone?
4. When was the rigging last inspected, and by whom?

Applicable OSHA standards

29 CFR 1926.1400, 29 CFR 1926.1425, 29 CFR 1926.251

More toolbox talks

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• Fall Protection Basics
• Heat Illness Prevention
• Lockout / Tagout: Controlling Energized Circuits
• Trench and Excavation Safety
• Silica Dust Control

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