Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders
Group 13. Cranes and Other Hoisting Equipment
Article 98. Operating Rules

§5011. Fall Protection -- Supplemental/Specific Requirements for Cranes.

(a) Application.

(1) Subsections (b), (c)(2), (e) and (f) apply to all equipment covered by Group 13 except tower cranes.

(2) Subsections (c)(1), and (d) apply to all equipment covered by Group 13.

(3) Subsections (c)(3) and (g) apply only to tower cranes.

(b) Boom walkways (Lattice Booms).

(1) Equipment manufactured after July 7, 2012, with lattice booms shall be equipped with walkways on the boom(s) if the vertical profile of the boom (from cord centerline to cord centerline) is 6 or more feet.

(2) Boom walkway criteria.

(A) The walkways shall be at least 12 inches wide.

(B) Guardrails, railings and other permanent fall protection attachments along walkways are:

1. Prohibited on booms supported by pendant ropes or bars if the guardrails/railings/attachments could be snagged by the ropes or bars.

2. Prohibited if of the removable type (designed to be installed and removed each time the boom is assembled/disassembled).

3. Where not prohibited, guardrails or railings, if provided, may be of any height up to, but not more than, 45 inches.

(c) Steps, handholds, ladders, grabrails, guardrails and railings.

(1) The employer shall maintain in good condition originally-equipped steps, handholds, ladders and guardrails/railings/grabrails.

(2) Equipment (other than tower cranes) manufactured after July 7, 2012, shall be equipped so as to provide safe access and egress between the ground and the operator work station(s), including the forward and rear positions, by the provision of devices such as steps, handholds, ladders, and guardrails/railings/grabrails.

(3) Tower cranes manufactured after July 7, 2012, shall be equipped so as to provide safe access and egress between the ground and the cab, machinery platforms, and tower (mast), by the provision of devices such as steps, handholds, ladders, and guardrails/railings/grabrails.

(4) Walking/stepping surfaces, except for crawler treads, shall have slip resistant features/properties (such as diamond plate metal, strategically placed grip tape, expanded metal, or slip-resistant paint).

(d) Personal fall arrest and fall restraint systems.

Personal fall arrest and fall restraint systems shall conform to the requirements of Construction Safety Orders Article 24, Fall Protection.

(e) For non-assembly/disassembly work, the employer shall provide and ensure the use of fall protection equipment for employees who are on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge more than 7-1/2 feet above a lower level as follows:

(1) When moving point-to-point:

(A) On non-lattice booms (whether horizontal or not horizontal).

(B) On lattice booms that are not horizontal.

Exception: On horizontal lattice booms where the fall distance is 15 feet or less.

(2) While at a work station on any part of the equipment (including the boom, of any type), except when the employee is at or near draw-works (when the equipment is running), in the cab, or on the deck.

Exceptions to subsection (e):

1. For tower cranes, see subsection (g), of this section.

2. Marine terminal operations are regulated by Article 14 of these Orders.

(f) For assembly/disassembly work, the employer shall provide and ensure the use of fall protection equipment for employees who are on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge more than 15 feet above a lower level.

Exceptions:

1. When the employee is at or near draw-works (when the equipment is running), in the cab, or on the deck.

2. For tower cranes, see subsection (g), of this section.

(g) Tower cranes.

(1) For work other than erecting, climbing, and dismantling, the employer shall provide and ensure the use of fall protection equipment for employees who are on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge more than 7-1/2 feet above a lower level.

Exception: When the employee is in the cab, or on the deck.

(2) For erecting, climbing, and dismantling work, the employer shall provide and ensure the use of fall protection equipment for employees who are on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge more than 15 feet above a lower level.

Credits

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

History

1. New section 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.