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Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders
Group 13. Cranes and Other Hoisting Equipment
Article 96. Tower Cranes
Note: Section 5017 (Safety Devices) does not apply to tower cranes.
All tower cranes shall have the following safety devices:
(a) Visual warning devices:
(1) A warning light which shall be activated at a percentage of the rated load, not to exceed 95 percent of the rated load, or
(2) Electronic instrumentation provided by the certified agent that gives a continuous direct reading of the load weight and the trolley radius.
(b) An audible signal that operates at a percentage of the rated load, not to exceed 100 percent of the rated load.
(c) The visual warning light, and audible signal required by subsections (a)(1) and (b) shall be set to avoid simultaneous activation, and operate with a difference of at least 5 percent of the rated load to ensure independent warnings.
(d) Load weighing and similar devices. The tower crane shall have:
(1) An automatic stop that operates at a percentage of the rated load, not to exceed 105 percent of the rated load.
(2) A load moment limiting device to prevent moment overloading.
(e) When the crane manufacturer specifies lower activation points for safety devices than required by subsections (a)(1), (b) and (d), the manufacturer's specifications shall be followed.
(f) Limit devices to:
(1) Provide deceleration before the top position of the hook is reached.
(2) Prevent trolley contact with the end stops by use of a trolley travel stop limit switch.
(3) Limit the range of the boom hoist at the minimum and maximum radius.
(4) Hoist line pull. Limit the capacity of the hoist to prevent overloading, including each individual gear ratio if equipped with a multiple speed hoist transmission by means of a hoist line pull.
(g) Constant pressure control devices which automatically return to neutral or the “off” position when released by the operator.
(h) Boom stops on luffing boom type tower cranes.
(i) Jib stops on luffing boom type tower cranes if equipped with a jib attachment.
(j) Trolley end stops shall be provided at both ends of travel of the trolley.
(k) Cranes mounted on rail tracks shall be equipped with:
(1) Limit switches limiting the travel of the crane on the track, and end stops or buffers at each end of the tracks.
(2) Travel rail clamps on all travel bogies.
(3) Limit switches that limit travel bogies travel distance in each direction to prevent running into the end stops or buffers.
(l) Integrally mounted check valves on all load supporting hydraulic cylinders.
(m) Hydraulic system pressure limiting device.
(n) The following brakes, which shall automatically set in the event of pressure loss or power failure, are required:
(1) A hoist brake on all hoists.
(2) Swing brake.
(3) Trolley brake.
(4) Rail travel brake.
(o) Emergency stop switch at the operator's station.
(p) Anti-two-blocking device.
(q) Boom angle or hook radius indicator.
(1) Luffing boom tower cranes shall have a boom angle or radius indicator readable from the operator's station.
(2) Hammerhead tower cranes manufactured after July 7, 2012, shall have a hook radius indicator readable from the operator's station.
(r) Boom hoist drum positive locking device and control. The boom hoist drum shall be equipped with a control that will enable the operator to positively lock the boom hoist drum from the cab.
(s) The following deceleration devices:
(1) Trolley travel deceleration device. The trolley speed shall be automatically reduced prior to the trolley reaching the end limit in both directions to prevent trolley contact with end stops.
(2) Boom hoist deceleration device. The boom speed shall be automatically reduced prior to the boom reaching the minimum or maximum radius limit.
(3) Load hoist deceleration device. The load speed shall be automatically reduced prior to the hoist reaching the upper limit.
(t) Any other safety devices as may be required by the applicable edition of ASME B30.3.
1. New section filed 8-29-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 39).
2. Redesignation and amendment of former subsection (a) as new subsection (a)(1), and new subsections (a) and (a)(2) filed 3-3-98; operative 4-2-98 (Register 98, No. 10).
3. Amendment of first paragraph and subsection (a)(2) filed 1-3-2002; operative 2-2-2002 (Register 2002, No. 1).
4. Amendment of first paragraph and subsection (d)(1) filed 10-30-2003; operative 11-29-2003 (Register 2003, No. 44).
6. Amendment filed 7-26-2022; operative 7-26-2022 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2022, No. 30). Filing deadline specified in Government Code section 11349.3(a) extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-71-20.
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