SC&RA Publishes Guide to Crane Safety Management
September 14, 2015 – The SC&RA has released the new “Guide to Mobile Crane Safety Management.” This 104-page book reflects substantial changes in tools, technologies and perspectives over the last two decades, according to SC&RA. Among developments covered are those resulting from new OSHA rules and updated standards such as the ASME B30.5 – Mobile and Locomotive Cranes.
The guide was written by Ronald Kohner P.E. and Robert Hontz, both of whom have more than 40 years of professional experience, and have written extensively on crane and lifting safety throughout their careers. Chapters in the new publication cover:
• Risk – Risk management issues of equipment, personnel, and procedures; failure modes and causes; and a risk matrix
• Lift classification – Criteria for critical lift, intermediate lift, and standard lift, as well as risk-mitigation tools for different lift categories
• Lift planning – Site factors, including overhead obstructions, underground facilities, crane set-up area, at-grade obstructions, logistics, drawing and bridges; load issues, including weight accuracy; gross vs. net weights; load dimensions and center of gravity; crane selection, focusing on crane load ratings, crane location, radius, boom length, and crane configuration; clearances; and load manipulations; contingency planning; rigging plan; levels of personal involvement; change management; and lift plan documentation and review
• Jobsite issues – Roles and responsibilities; equipment inspection for cranes and rigging; maintenance; crane assembly, disassembly and configuration changes; operational aids; safety devices; crane movement, including relocation and pick-&-carry operations; crane foundations, including general concepts, crane loading, mats and plates and foundation verification; best practices involving crane assembly/disassembly, crane set up, crane operation, rigging, and crane shutdown and security; hazard awareness; load testing; weather factors, including wind, rain and thunderstorms, cold weather and visibility limitations; and field audits
Also included are a number of useful appendices, including a shift/daily/monthly checklist; SC&RA’s annual checklists for lattice-boom and telescopic-boom cranes; operating in the twilight zone of crane capacities; personnel hoisting; a glossary; a lift-planning checklist, and additional resources.
The “Guide to Mobile Crane Safety Management” is available to SC&RA members for $99. The nonmember price is $199. To purchase the new guide visit the SC&RA website or call (703) 698-0291.
