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Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders
Group 3. General Plant Equipment and Special Operations
Article 14. Marine Terminal Operations
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§3472. Cranes and Other Hoisting Equipment.


(a) All cranes and other hoisting equipment and the operation thereof shall comply with Group 13 and this Article (14).

(b) Every crane not part of a vessel's permanent equipment shall be equipped with a load indicating device, a load moment device, or a device that prevents an overload condition. Only approved devices as defined in the General Safety Industry Orders, Section 3206 shall be used.

Exceptions:

1. Trolley equipped bridge-type cranes while handling containers known to be and identified as empty, or loaded, or while hoisting other lifts by means of a lifting beam supplied by the crane manufacturer for the purpose and in all cases within the crane rating;

2. While handling bulk commodities or cargoes by means of clamshell bucket or magnet;

3. While used to handle or hold hoses in connection with transfer of bulk liquids or other hose handled products; or

4. While the crane is used exclusively to handle cargo or equipment the total actual gross weight of which is known by means of marking of the unit or units hoisted, when such total actual gross weight never exceeds 11,200 pounds, and when 11,200 pounds is less than the rated capacity of the crane at the maximum outreach that is possible under the conditions of use at the time.

(c) Marking shall be conspicuously placed giving units of measure in pounds or both pounds and kilograms, capacity of the indicating system, accuracy of the indicating system, and operating instructions and precautions. In the case of systems utilizing indications other than actual weights, the marking shall include data on the means of measurement, capacity of the system, accuracy of the system, and operating instructions and precautions. If the system used provides no readout, but is such as to automatically cease crane operation when the rated load limit under any specific condition of use is reached, marking shall be provided giving the make and model of the device installed, a description of what it does, how it is operated, and any necessary precautions regarding the system. All weight indications, other types of loading indications, and other data required shall be readily visible to the operator.

(d) Wind-Indicating Devices.

(1) After the effective date of these orders, each rail-mounted bridge and portal crane located outside of an enclosed structure shall be fitted with an operable wind-indicating device.

(2) The wind-indicating device shall provide a visible measure of velocity or an audible warning to alert the operator of high wind conditions. That warning shall be transmitted whenever the following circumstances are present.

(A) When the wind velocity reaches the warning speed, not exceeding the crane manufacturer's recommendations; and (B) When wind velocity reaches the shutdown speed, not exceeding the crane manufacturer's recommendations, at which work is to be stopped and the crane secured.

(3) Instructions. The employer shall post operating instructions for high wind conditions in the operator's cab of each crane. Operators shall be directed to comply with these instructions. The instructions shall include procedures for responding to high wind alerts and for any coordination necessary with other cranes.

(e) Securing of cranes in high winds.

(1) When the wind reaches the crane's warning speed:

(A) Gantry travel shall be stopped; and

(B) The crane shall be readied for shutdown.

(2) When the wind reaches the crane's shutdown speed:

(A) Any portion of the crane spanning or partially spanning a vessel shall be moved clear of the vessel if safe to do so; and

(B) The crane shall be secured against travel, using all available means of securing.

(f) The employer shall monitor local weather conditions by subscribing to a weather service or using equally effective means.

(g) Communications. Means of communication shall be provided between the operator's cab and the base of the gantry of all rail-mounted cranes. This requirement may be met by telephone, radio, sound-signaling system or other effective methods, but not solely by hand-signaling.

(h) Qualifications of Machinery Operators.

(1) Only those employees determined by the employer to be competent by reason of training or experience, and who understand the signs, notices and operating instructions and are familiar with the signal code in use shall be permitted to operate a crane, winch or other power operated cargo handling apparatus, or any power operated vehicle, or give signals to the operator of any hoisting apparatus.

Exception: Employees being trained and supervised by a designated person may operate such machinery and give signals to operators during training.

(2) No employee known to have defective uncorrected eyesight or hearing, or to be suffering from heart disease, epilepsy, or similar ailments which may suddenly incapacitate him shall be permitted to operate a crane, winch or other power-operated cargo handling apparatus or a power-operated vehicle.

(i) Operating Near Electric Power Lines

(1) Provisions for preventing accidents due to overhead high-voltage lines shall be in conformance with High-Voltage Electrical Safety Orders, Article 37.

(2) Boom Guards. Cage-type boom guards, insulating links or proximity warning devices may be used on cranes, but they shall not be used in place of the required clearances.

(j) Routine Inspection

(1) Qualified persons shall visually inspect each crane and derrick on each day of use for defects in functional operating components and shall report any defect found to the employer. The employer shall inform the operator of the findings.

(2) A qualified person shall thoroughly inspect all functional components and accessible structural features of each crane or device at monthly intervals.

(3) Any defects found during such inspections which may create a safety hazard shall be corrected before further equipment use. Repairs shall be performed only by qualified persons.

(4) A record of monthly inspections shall be maintained for six months in or on the crane or derrick or at the terminal.

(k) A seat (lap) belt, meeting the requirements of 49 CFR 571.208-210 for a Type 1 seat belt assembly, shall be installed on the operator's seat of high speed container gantry cranes where the seat trolleys.

NOTE

Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

HISTORY

1. Amendment filed 12-12-84; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 84, No. 50).

2. New subsection (k) filed 3-6-2001; operative 3-6-2001. Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(3) (Register 2001, No. 10).

3. Amendment of subsection (b) filed 1-3-2002; operative 2-2-2002 (Register 2002, No. 1).

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