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

§5010.1. Assembly/Disassembly -- General Requirements (Applies to All Assembly and Disassembly Operations).

(a) Supervision--competent-qualified person.

(1) Assembly/disassembly shall be directed by a person who meets the criteria for both a competent person and a qualified person, or by a competent person who is assisted by one or more qualified persons (“A/D director”).

(2) Where the assembly/disassembly is being performed by only one person, that person shall meet the criteria for both a competent person and a qualified person. For purposes of this standard, that person is considered the A/D director.

(3) The process of jumping the crane or derrick shall be supervised by the A/D director.

(b) Knowledge of procedures. The A/D director shall understand the applicable assembly/disassembly procedures.

(c) Review of procedures. The A/D director shall review the applicable assembly/disassembly procedures immediately prior to the commencement of assembly/disassembly unless the A/D director understands the procedures and has applied them to the same type and configuration of equipment (including accessories, if any).

(d) Crew instructions.

(1) Before commencing assembly/disassembly operations, the A/D director shall ensure that the crew members understand all of the following:

(A) Their tasks.

(B) The hazards associated with their tasks.

(C) The hazardous positions/locations that they need to avoid.

(2) During assembly/disassembly operations, before a crew member takes on a different task, or when adding new personnel during the operations, the requirements in subsections (d)(1)(A) through (d)(1)(C) of this section shall be met.

(e) Protecting assembly/disassembly crew members out of operator view.

(1) Before a crew member goes to a location that is out of view of the operator and is either in, on, or under the equipment, or near the equipment (or load) where the crew member could be injured by movement of the equipment (or load), the crew member shall inform the operator that they are going to that location.

(2) Where the operator knows that a crew member went to a location covered by subsection (e)(1), the operator shall not move any part of the equipment (or load) until the operator is informed in accordance with a prearranged system of communication that the crew member is in a safe position.

(f) Working under the boom, jib or other components.

(1) When pins (or similar devices) are being removed, employees shall not be under the boom, jib, or other components.

(g) Capacity limits. During all phases of assembly/disassembly, rated capacity limits for loads imposed on the equipment, equipment components (including rigging), lifting lugs and equipment accessories, shall not be exceeded for the equipment being assembled/disassembled.

(h) Addressing specific hazards. The A/D director supervising the assembly/disassembly operation shall address the hazards associated with the operation, which include:

(1) Site and ground bearing conditions. Site and ground conditions shall be adequate for safe assembly/disassembly operations and to support the equipment during assembly/disassembly (see Section 4991.1 for ground condition requirements).

(2) Blocking material. The size, amount, condition and method of stacking the blocking shall be sufficient to sustain the loads and maintain stability.

(3) Proper location of blocking. When used to support lattice booms or components, blocking shall be appropriately placed to:

(A) Protect the structural integrity of the equipment, and

(B) Prevent dangerous movement and collapse.

(4) Verifying assist crane loads. When using an assist crane, the loads that will be imposed on the assist crane at each phase of assembly/disassembly shall be verified in accordance with Section 4999(b) before assembly/disassembly begins.

(5) Boom and jib pick points. The point(s) of attachment of rigging to a boom (or boom sections or jib or jib sections) shall be suitable for preventing structural damage and facilitating safe handling of these components.

(6) Center of gravity.

(A) The center of gravity of the load shall be identified if that is necessary for the method used for maintaining stability.

(B) Where there is insufficient information to accurately identify the center of gravity, measures designed to prevent unintended dangerous movement resulting from an inaccurate identification of the center of gravity shall be used.

(7) Stability upon pin removal. The boom sections, boom suspension systems (such as gantry A-frames and jib struts), and components shall be rigged or supported to maintain stability upon the removal of the pins.

(8) Snagging. Suspension ropes and pendants shall not be allowed to catch on the boom or jib connection pins or cotter pins (including keepers and locking pins).

(9) Struck by counterweights. The potential for unintended movement from inadequately supported counterweights and from hoisting counterweights.

(10) Boom hoist brake failure. Each time reliance is to be placed on the boom hoist brake to prevent boom movement during assembly/disassembly, the brake shall be tested prior to such reliance to determine if it is sufficient to prevent boom movement. If it is not sufficient, a boom hoist pawl, other locking device/back-up braking device, or another method of preventing dangerous movement of the boom (such as blocking or using an assist crane) from a boom hoist brake failure shall be used.

(11) Loss of backward stability. Backward stability before swinging the upperworks, travel, and when attaching or removing equipment components.

(12) Wind speed and weather. The effect of wind speed and weather on the equipment.

(i) Cantilevered boom sections. Manufacturer limitations on the maximum amount of boom supported only by cantilevering shall not be exceeded. Where these are unavailable, a certified agent familiar with the type of equipment involved shall determine in writing this limitation, which shall not be exceeded.

(j) Weight of components. The weight of each of the components shall be readily available.

(k) Components and configuration.

(1) The selection of components, and configuration of the equipment, that affect the capacity or safe operation of the equipment shall be in accordance with:

(A) Manufacturer instructions, prohibitions, limitations, and specifications. Where these are unavailable, a certified agent familiar with the type of equipment involved shall approve, in writing, the selection and configuration of components; or

(B) Approved modifications that meet the requirements of Section 4884.1 (Equipment Modifications).

(2) Post-assembly inspection. Upon completion of assembly, the equipment shall be inspected to ensure compliance with subsection (m)(1) (see Section 5031.1 for post-assembly inspection requirements).

(l) Shipping pins. Reusable shipping pins, straps, links, and similar equipment shall be removed. Once they are removed they shall either be stowed or otherwise stored so that they do not present a falling object hazard.

(m) Pile driving. Equipment used for pile driving shall not have a jib attached during pile driving operations.

(n) Outriggers and stabilizers. When the load to be handled and the operating radius require the use of outriggers or stabilizers, or at any time when outriggers or stabilizers are used, all of the following requirements shall be met (except as otherwise indicated):

(1) The outriggers or stabilizers shall be either fully extended or, if manufacturer procedures permit, deployed as specified in the load chart.

(2) The outriggers shall be set to remove the equipment weight from the wheels, except for locomotive cranes [see subsection (q)(6) for use of outriggers on locomotive cranes]. This provision does not apply to stabilizers.

(3) When outrigger floats are used, they shall be attached to the outriggers. When stabilizer floats are used, they shall be attached to the stabilizers.

(4) Each outrigger or stabilizer shall be visible to the operator or to a signal person during extension and setting.

(5) Outrigger and stabilizer blocking shall:

(A) Meet the requirements in subsections (h)(2) and (h)(3).

(B) Be placed only under the outrigger or stabilizer float/pad of the jack or, where the outrigger or stabilizer is designed without a jack, under the outer bearing surface of the extended outrigger or stabilizer beam.

(6) For locomotive cranes, when using outriggers or stabilizers to handle loads, the manufacturer's procedures shall be followed. When lifting loads without using outriggers or stabilizers, the manufacturer's procedures shall be met regarding truck wedges or screws.

(o) Rigging. In addition to following the requirements in Article 101 of these Orders and other requirements in this and other standards applicable to rigging, when rigging is used for assembly/disassembly, the employer shall ensure that:

(1) The rigging work is done by a qualified rigger.

(2) Synthetic slings are protected from abrasive, sharp or acute edges, and configurations that could cause a reduction of the sling's rated capacity, such as distortion or localized compression.

(3) Additional requirements for the protection of all types of slings are contained in Article 101 of these Orders.

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.