Workplace safety is paramount, especially in dangerous occupations such as construction and the use of machinery like overhead cranes.
But what happens if an accident involving your overhead crane occurs and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is contacted? How can you prevent it from happening again, and what do you do to make things right? Understanding an overhead crane's safety, maintenance, and operation regulations is critical.
When determining whether your overhead crane program complies with OSHA requirements, there are several factors to consider, such as the extent to which your programs for inspection, preventative maintenance, repairs, and training for riggers and crane operators adhere to industry best practices.
This article will discuss the main OSHA rigging requirements for OSHA fall protection, as well as the standard fall protection requirements for businesses operating with overhead cranes.
Several fall safety technologies and techniques can be applied when performing specific tasks. For instance, a positioning device system could be employed when working on formwork. OSHA advises companies to choose fall-prevention measures like guardrails that protect employees from going down the side of a building.
In general, guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest devices can be used to provide fall protection. These equipment items are referred to as conventional fall protection by OSHA.
Working with heavy machinery at high altitudes makes fall protection safety much more important. One of the most frequent reasons for fatal and catastrophic workplace accidents is falls. Employers must set up the workplace so that no one can fall off of raised workstations, above platforms, or into gaps in the floor or walls.
Every time a worker is at risk of falling, fall protection systems are necessary.
OSHA poses an obligation for employers to secure the workplace and ensure employee safety through the following requirements:
You can look at the OSHA Standard 1910.179 Act and see all the requirements needed.
When under OSHA inspection for overhead cranes, or other lifting equipment, the inspectors will look for the following:
CMAA is the Crane Manufacturers Association of America, Inc., an independent trade association affiliated with the Material Handling Industry (MHI). CMAA is the leading promoter of safe handling overhead traveling crane equipment and similar gear.
CMAA has established crane service classes to help assess the most convenient crane type for the environment where it’s intended to be used. These classifications are based on the crane's number of lift cycles and average load intensity.
Whether talking about frequent OSHA inspections or periodic ones, one thing is certain: they will happen. OSHA’s daily crane inspection requirements include inspecting the gear before its first use.
Southeast Rigging is the leading rigging company in the Southeast. Whether you need slings, rigging hardware, material handling, or load securement equipment, you can find all of that at Southeast Rigging and at affordable prices.
Our fall protection systems will make your day-to-day tasks easier, safer, and OSHA-compliant. Want to know more? Let’s talk!