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At what winds do I shut down crane operations?

A person submitted this question to Rosie's free generator. The asker's identity is neither imported nor published.

Rosie's answer

Published by SALUS

While there isn't a specific wind speed provided that mandates an immediate shut down of crane operations, here's what you should consider:

  • Manufacturer's Specifications: The most important guideline is to adhere to the crane manufacturer's specifications for maximum permissible wind speeds during operation [1]. These specifications are crucial for safe operation and should be readily available [2].
  • Wind Velocity Device: Employers must provide a wind velocity device that gives a visible or audible alarm to the crane operator at a predetermined wind velocity [1]. This device should be compatible with the manufacturer's crane specifications [1].
  • Hammerhead Cranes: For hammerhead cranes, operators need to be fully instructed regarding the maximum permissible wind speeds during operation [1].
  • Tower Cranes: A device must be provided to display wind speed and must be mounted above the upper rotating structure on tower cranes [3].
  • Securing for Out-of-Service Cranes: If the crane is located out-of-doors, ensure it is locked in a secure position to prevent it from being blown along or off the track by a severe wind [4].

It's essential to identify the wind speed at which the manufacturer recommends ceasing operations and to have systems in place to monitor wind conditions and alert operators accordingly. If manufacturer procedures are unavailable, the employer must develop and ensure compliance with all procedures necessary for the safe operation of the equipment and attachments [2].

4 source record(s)

Sources used for this answer

[1] Safety Standards for General Safety and Health Standards (Chaper 296-24 WAC)

Page 34

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\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ - (f) Evidence of physical defects, or emotional instability which could render the operator or trainee a hazard to their self or others, or could interfere with their safe performance may be sufficient cause for disqualification. In such cases, you must require specialized clinical or medical judgments or tests (which include annual medical certification for recovered heart attack patients). - (g) Evidence that an operator or trainee is subject to seizures or loss of physical control must be sufficient reason for disqualification. You must require specialized medical tests to substantiate these conditions. - (5) Persons who have recovered from a heart attack must be exempted from the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, as it pertains to their heart condition, provided: - (a) A medical release is obtained from their attending medical doctor. - (b) The release must state that the operation of a crane will not present a hazard to their self or others. - (c) An examination by a medical doctor, and renewal of the work release certification is required annually. - (6) The operator must be fully familiar with all crane rules and with the crane mechanism and its proper care. Needed adjustments or repairs must be reported at once to the proper authority. - (7) The operator must not eat, smoke or read while actually engaged in the operation of the crane, or operate the crane when physically unfit. - (8) The operator or someone especially designated must properly lubricate all working parts of the crane. - (9) You must keep cranes clean. - (10) You must ensure that whenever the operator finds the main or emergency switch open, it is not closed, even when starting on regular duty, until it is determined that no one is on or about the crane. You must not

[2] Rules for the Administration of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (Construction, Division 3, OSHA Oregon)

Page 1349

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Source excerpt

Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division Oregon Administrative Rules AO 1-2019 Division 3 - (ii) Trolley travel deceleration device. The trolley speed must be automatically reduced prior to the trolley reaching the end limit in both directions. Temporary alternative measure: The employer must post a notice in the cab of the crane notifying the operator that the trolley travel deceleration device is malfunctioning and instructing the operator to take special care to reduce the trolley speed when approaching the trolley end limits. - (iii) Boom hoist deceleration device. The boom speed must be automatically reduced prior to the boom reaching the minimum or maximum radius limit. Temporary alternative measure: The employer must post a notice in the cab of the crane notifying the operator that the boom hoist deceleration device is malfunctioning and instructing the operator to take special care to reduce the boom speed when approaching the minimum or maximum radius limits. - (iv) Load hoist deceleration device. The load speed must be automatically reduced prior to the hoist reaching the upper limit. Temporary alternative measure: The employer must post a notice in the cab of the crane notifying the operator that the load hoist deceleration device is malfunctioning and instructing the operator to take special care to reduce the load speed when approaching the upper limits. - (v) Wind speed indicator. A device must be provided to display the wind speed and must be mounted above the upper rotating structure on tower cranes. On self erecting cranes, it must be mounted at or above the jib level. Temporary alternative measures: Use of wind speed information from a properly functioning indicating device on another tower crane on the same site, or a qualified person estimates the wind speed. - (vi) Load indicating device. Cranes manufactured after November 8, 2011 must have a device that displays the magnitude of the load on the hook. Displays that are part of load mom

[3] Rules for the Administration of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (General Occupational Safety and Health, Division 2, OSHA Oregon)

Page 1297

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Division 2 AO 3-2019 Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division OR-OSHA Admin. Order 4-1997, f. 4/2/97, ef. 4/2/97. ## [redacted phone] Oregon Rules for Hammerhead Cranes ## (1) Definition. Hammerhead Crane - Lifting machine consisting of a tower (mast) with an upperstructure that rotates and includes a load jib (boom) with trolley extending horizontally and a counterweight jib extending in the opposite direction, neither of which is arranged for luffing. The trolley on the load jib traverses the length of the jib and contains the sheaves and accessory parts that comprise the upper load block. The lower load block is suspended from the trolley. - (2) Hammerhead Cranes - General. - (a) Adequate clearance shall be maintained between moving and rotating structures of the crane and fixed objects to allow the passage of employees without harm; - (b) Employees required to perform duties on the horizontal boom of hammerhead tower cranes shall be protected against falling by guardrails or by safety belts and lanyards attached to lifelines in conformance with OAR Chapter 437, Division 2/I, Personal Protective Equipment; - (c) Buffers shall be provided at both ends of travel of the trolley; - (d) Cranes mounted on rail tracks shall be equipped with limit switches limiting the travel of the crane on the track and stops or buffers at each end of the tracks. Cranes with self-contained power plants shall be equipped with warning devices, and stops or buffers at each end of the track; - (e) All hammerhead cranes in use shall meet the applicable requirements for design, construction, installation, testing, maintenance, inspection, and operation as prescribed by the manufacturer and to ensure compliance with the rules in this division; - (f) The employer shall provide a wind velocity device which will give a visible or audible alarm to the crane operator at a predetermined wind velocity; and - (g) The employer shall ensure that: - (A) The win

[4] Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (OSHA)

Page 138

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## Subpart CC-Cranes and Derricks in Construction ## §1926.1417 Operation. - (a) The employer must comply with all manufacturer procedures applicable to the operational functions of equipment, including its use with attachments. - (b) Unavailable operation procedures. (1) Where the manufacturer procedures are unavailable, the employer must develop and ensure compliance with all procedures necessary for the safe operation of the equipment and attachments. - (2) Procedures for the operational controls must be developed by a qualified person. - (3) Procedures related to the capacity of the equipment must be developed and signed by a registered professional engineer familiar with the equipment. - (c) Accessibility of procedures. (1) The procedures applicable to the operation of the equipment, including rated capacities (load charts), recommended operating speeds, special hazard warnings, instructions, and operator's manual, must be readily available in the cab at all times for use by the operator. - (2) Where rated capacities are available in the cab only in electronic form: In the event of a failure which makes the rated capacities inaccessible, the operator must immediately cease operations or follow safe shut-down procedures until the rated capacities (in electronic or other form) are available. - (d) The operator must not engage in any practice or activity that diverts his/her attention while actually engaged in operating the equipment, such as the use of cellular phones (other than when used for signal communications). - (e) Leaving the equipment unattended. (1) The operator must not leave the controls while the load is suspended, except where all of the following are met: - (i) The operator remains adjacent to the equipment and is not engaged in any other duties. - (ii) The load is to be held suspended for a period of time exceeding normal lifting operations. - (iii) The competent person determines that it is safe to do so and implements measures necessary to

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