Cranes play an important role in large-scale construction work. They lift and move heavy objects around construction sites, streamlining the building process. However, they also pose a significant hazard to construction workers when OSHA regulations are not followed.
As a construction worker, you must understand how OSHA regulations apply to your crane use and operation. Knowing these rules can help you identify hazards on your construction site and report them accordingly. Given how ubiquitous cranes are, brushing up on the proper procedures helps keep you safe as you operate and work around them.
Here’s what you need to know about OSHA regulations and crane safety from New York’s top construction accident lawyer.
OSHA Regulations Pertaining to Crane Operation
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates work conditions across most industries. This organization enforces numerous regulations that construction sites must adhere to for worker and pedestrian safety. Several of these relate to crane operation.
Operator Certification
Crane operators must gain the proper training and certification to ensure that they can safely maneuver these vehicles around a construction site. Employers are responsible for ensuring that employees undergo OSHA-regulated training before they can begin operating cranes.
To pass the certification test, employees must understand:
- Load charts
- Signaling procedures
- Operational procedures
- Safety measures
To become certified, workers must pass both written and practical examinations.
Emergency Preparedness
Crane operators are required to follow strict safety guidelines. But even with the best practices in place, approximately 40 crane-related deaths occur across the U.S. each year. Under OSHA regulations, construction companies should have emergency response plans at the ready should a crane-related incident occur.
Emergency response plans include step-by-step procedures for performing first aid and mitigating damage after a crane accident. Construction crews should regularly undergo training and practice drills to ensure all workers understand emergency protocols.
Load Limits
Cranes should have rated loads marked clearly on either side. This indicates the safe carrying capacity of the crane. Workers should always be aware of load limits and never exceed them.
Crane manufacturers determine load limits by testing the maximum weight capacity the crane can safely handle. Load limits are typically 80% of the test load, providing some leeway and preventing excessive strain on the equipment.
Violating load limit guidelines puts crane operators and other workers at risk of accidents. The crane could collapse or drop items during use.
Inspection and Maintenance
OSHA requires construction companies to regularly inspect and maintain their cranes to ensure they always operate as intended and prevent dangerous malfunctions. The frequency of maintenance checks depends on how often the crane is used.
Companies that frequently use cranes should perform visual inspections at least once weekly and test the integrity of the global structure at least annually.
OSHA Crane Safety Tips
In addition to the guidelines above, OSHA has several safety regulations to prevent accidents. Your construction site should follow all of these tips closely to ensure your adherence to OSHA guidelines and keep workers safe.
- Be aware of all surroundings when operating a crane, including overhead power lines.
- Communicate clearly with ground personnel before and during crane operations.
- Ensure a wide swing radius when operating a crane and barricade the area.
- Use construction hand signals to ensure all workers stay on the same page during crane operation.
- Inspect cranes more frequently than you think you need to.
It never hurts to go above and beyond with crane safety procedures. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to serious crane injuries and potential fatalities.
What To Do If Your Construction Site Manager Violates OSHA
Violating these OSHA regulations or any others on a construction site puts workers and pedestrians at risk. Common causes of crane injuries and death include:
- Overhead power line electrocutions (~32% of crane deaths)
- Crane collapses (~21% of crane deaths)
- Being struck by the crane boom (~18% of crane deaths)
If your construction site manager violates any of these OSHA regulations, act before an accident occurs. You can report the violation to OSHA by filing a complaint online, over the phone, or in person. Doing so will prompt OSHA to perform an inspection of the construction site.
You can file the complaint anonymously if you choose to do so. Either way, your employer cannot retaliate if you file an OSHA complaint. Doing so could qualify you for compensation under employment law.
Who Is Liable for Crane-Related Injuries After an OSHA Violation?
If you were injured in a crane-related accident, there’s a good chance someone on your construction site violated OSHA regulations. Of course, sometimes accidents happen even when construction crews follow all safety regulations. However, incidents are more likely when these strict standards are not upheld.
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may qualify for compensation. Your first step is to determine who was liable for the accident. The liable party could be:
- Your construction manager for failing to maintain a safe environment and follow OSHA guidelines
- Another construction worker for operating the crane haphazardly
- The crane manufacturer for using faulty parts
- Whoever is responsible for crane maintenance for failing to ensure that the crane was in sound condition
If you decide to file for workers’ compensation, you won’t be holding anyone directly liable for the accident. You can seek compensation through your employer’s insurance company to cover your medical bills and lost wages.
But if someone was directly liable and acted negligently to cause the accident, you may qualify for more compensation than you could gain through a workers’ compensation claim. Work with a skilled construction accident lawyer in NYC to determine the smartest method of seeking compensation.
Contact a Construction Accident Lawyer in NYC Today
Understanding OSHA regulations for safe crane operation is the first step in preventing accidents. Did you suffer injuries in a crane-related incident? Our construction accident lawyers in NYC can help you seek compensation.
At William Schwitzer & Associates, PC, we help victims of crane and scaffolding accidents gain compensation through insurance claims, settlements, and lawsuits. Schedule a free case review today by calling (212) 683-3800 or filling out our online form.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do cranes need to be load tested?
Cranes need to be load tested once every four years. The test load should weigh at least 100% of the crane’s indicated load capacity but no more than 125%. This test ensures that the crane can safely handle the load it was originally verified for.
What documents must be kept on a crane?
You should keep a few documents on a crane, including a copy of the annual inspection and the OSHA regulations manual. If OSHA shows up at your construction site for an inspection and these documents are not present, your construction company could face fines or other penalties.
What are the major inspection requirements for cranes?
The major inspection requirements for cranes include inspecting all critical components. The crane must be checked for cracks, loose bolts, excessive wear, and other issues. Inspections should include both visual and operational investigations of the crane’s performance.
Can you hold a construction manager liable for violating OSHA regulations?
You can hold a construction manager liable for violating OSHA regulations if their actions led to an injury. If an accident has not yet occurred, report your manager to OSHA as soon as possible. It would also be helpful to alert your manager to the violation; doing so could prompt them to change their procedures before the OSHA inspection occurs.
