News Update
November 2, 2022
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- A certificate from an accredited crane operator testing organization
- Employer qualification through an audited employer program
- Qualification by the US Military (only applies to employees of Department of Defense or Armed Forces (does not include private contractors)
- Licensing by a state or local government (if that licensing meets the minimum requirements set forth by OSHA)
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Cranes: Deadly Assumptions
by Ike Riser
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Utilizing cranes in construction can be a considerable advantage as we build America’s infrastructure. However, cranes can also be lethal. The power, magnitude and scale of cranes are often taken for granted. |
On my very first day on the job in heavy civil construction (1979), I was fascinated by all the heavy equipment and crane activity on a multi-million-dollar water treatment plant project. My excitement and enthusiasm were soon dashed when a laborer on the project was struck by a falling load from a crane, which resulted in his death. The realization that my occupation is dangerous hit home as my job was rigging super heavy-duty formwork. I had not been trained in crane safety or rigging, yet I had this huge responsibility of working with and around cranes. I decided that day that I needed to learn all I could about working with cranes and crane activities if I wanted a career in heavy civil construction. |
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Employees often take crane activities for granted, with the assumption that once a load is lifted off the ground by the crane, the crane operator will ensure the load is safely landed. Crane activities are no place for assumptions. The fundamental principle of crane safety is understanding the hazards of crane operations and mitigating those hazards.
There are five critical hazards related to crane operations:
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Hazard #1: Contact with electrical lines is the #1 killer in crane activities.
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Hazard #2: Assembly and disassembly of cranes ranks #2 in crane fatalities.
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Hazard #3: Overloading the crane’s capacity causes crane overturns or collapse.
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Hazard #4: Improper rigging (rigging failure) can cause a load to fall.
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Hazard #5: Struck by moving loads have resulted in serious injury and/or death.
All of these hazards can be avoided if we train our employees; ensure we follow the operator’s manual, lift plans, inspections and company safety policies; and have qualified and competent employees overseeing the operations. When it comes to safe crane operations, assumptions are the greatest dangers.
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Ike Riser is an instructor at the OSHA Training Institute Education Center. Ike has over 39 years of construction and safety experience and has been instrumental in the success of award-winning safety programs and numerous safety awards received, many of which were for high-hazard projects. As corporate Vice President of Safety for Shimmick Construction, Ike served as the firm's expert and chief safety liaison in the fields of operations management and field craft safe protocols.
Ike provides a broad range of safety training in areas such as fleet safety, HR/safety, worker’s compensation, general liability/auto claims, loss prevention, accident investigations and various OSHA courses. Learn More
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This 3-day course covers the best practices in crane and derrick operation using the OSHA Cranes and Derricks in Construction Rule as a guide.
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OSHA Recommends Best Practices for Workplace Safety and Health Programs |
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The main goal of safety and health programs is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths, and the suffering and financial hardship these events can cause for workers, their families and employers. OSHA's recommended practices use a proactive approach to managing workplace safety and health, recognizing that finding and fixing hazards before they cause injury or illness is a far more effective approach.
Safety and health programs can help businesses:
- Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses
- Improve compliance with laws and regulations
- Reduce costs, including significant reductions in workers’ compensation premiums
- Engage workers
- Enhance their social responsibility goals
- Increase productivity and enhance overall business operations
OSHA suggests that businesses begin with a basic program and simple goals and grow from there. If you focus on achieving goals, monitoring performance and evaluating outcomes, your workplace can progress along the path to higher levels of safety and health achievement. Learn More
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This 1-day interactive course covers the effective evaluation, development and implementation of an effective safety and health management system.
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Does your organization have additional training budget dollars that must be used by year end? What better way to meet the deadline than by offering training to make your workers safer? |
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Learn More About In-Person OSHA Classes |
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Learn More about Virtual Zoom OSHA Classes |
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Physical distancing and safety guidelines followed, and class sizes are reduced. Proof of vaccination status required on Pleasanton campus only.
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In Region IX OSHA numbered Virtual, Instructor-Led classes offered via Zoom are only available to participants located in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands. Call 866-936-6742 if you are unsure if this applies to you.
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5860 Owens Drive
3rd Floor
Pleasanton, CA 94588
Phone: 866-936-6742
Fax: 925-460-0133
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We offer OSHA standards-based classes In-Person and Virtual Instructor-Led via Zoom for construction, maritime, disaster site and general industries in California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands. Class sizes are limited, so early registration is strongly advised.
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The recommendations in this email are advisory in nature, informational in content, and intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace.
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