Bituminous Insurance Companies

OSHA Proposes Rule Changes for Crane and Derrick Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed a revision to rules covering cranes and derricks in construction operations. The revision is intended to protect employees from the hazards associated with hoisting equipment when used to perform construction activities. Under the proposal, the employer would be required to:

• Determine whether the ground is sufficient to support the anticipated weight of hoisting equipment and associated loads;
• Assess hazards within the work zone that would affect the safe operation of hoisting equipment, such as those of power lines and objects or personnel that would be within the work zone or swing radius of the hoisting equipment; and
• Ensure that the equipment is in a safe operating condition, via required inspections, and that employees in the work zone are trained to recognize hazards associated with the use of the equipment and any related duties

Instructions for commenting on the proposed rule change, as well as the rule’s draft wording, may be found at http://www.osha.gov/doc/proposedrule/Cranes_Derricks_Proposed_Rule.pdf.

COPYRIGHT ©2008, ISO Services Properties, Inc.

The information contained in this publication was obtained from sources believed to be reliable. ISO Services Properties, Inc., its companies and employees make no guarantee of results and assume no liability in connection with either the information herein contained or the safety suggestions herein made. Moreover, it cannot be assumed that every acceptable safety procedure is contained herein or that abnormal or unusual circumstances may not warrant or require further or additional procedure.