32 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | July 2022 Cranes | July 2022 33
for the specic type of crane that they are operating.
4. Necessary tools, protective equipment, and trainings are
provided.
5. Employees comply with all requirements of crane
operation and perform tasks safely at all times.
Below is a summary of the regulatory requirements for cranes
and derricks used in construction:
A. General requirements for cranes and derricks are given in
sections 1610.1–1610.9. Requirements include:
1. Scope applies to power operated equipment when used in
construction that can hoist, lower and horizontally move a
suspended load. 1610.1
2. Design requirements are given in 1610.2 and 4884.
3. Denitions as per 1610.3.
4. Design, construction, and testing of cranes and derricks
with over 2,000 lbs. of hoisting/lifting capacity must meet
requirements in 1610.4.
5. Ground conditions, including slope, compaction, and
rmness, and all supporting materials, such as blocking,
mats, cribbing, marsh buggies, etc., must meet the
requirements in 1610.5.
6. Equipment modications or additions that aect the
capacity or safe operation of the equipment are prohibited
except where the requirements of subsections as shown in
1610.6 are met.
7. Fall protection is critical in crane operations and must be
provided by employers. The fall protection system varies
depending on the type of crane being used and the work
activity. Requirements for fall protection are given in
1610.7.
8. For cranes with a rated hoisting/lifting capacity of 2,000
lbs. or less, the employer must ensure that all of the
requirements in 1610.8 are met.
9. For cranes with a rated hoisting/lifting capacity over
3,000 lbs., the employer must ensure that the cranes,
derricks, and accessory gears are not used until there is a
verication of current certication as per 1610.9.
10. A copy of the current certication must be available with
each crane and derrick or at the project site. 1610.9(a)
11. Proof load tests and examinations of cranes and
their accessory gear must be conducted as per 5022,
1610.4(f).
12. Do not operate cranes with wheels or tracks o the ground
or working surface at any time unless properly bearing on
outriggers or stabilizers. 4994(a)
B. Sections 1611.1 through 1611.5 address all of the safety
requirements related to assembly and disassembly
operations.
1. When assembling or disassembling equipment (or
attachments), the employer must comply with all
applicable manufacturer prohibitions and requirements in
1611.1.
2. The general requirements for assembly and disassembly
operations, including supervision, review of procedures,
crew instructions, etc., are given in 1611.2.
3. Employers/operators must also follow the requirements for
dismantling booms and jibs as specied in 1611.3.
4. Employer procedures for assembly/disassembly shall be
developed by a qualied person. 1611.4
5. The employer shall follow the power line safety (up to 350
kV) requirements of 1611.5. Employers and employees
always need to presume that power lines are energized.
C. Power line safety is regulated under T8 CCR subsections
1612.1 through 1612.4. The requirements vary depending on
the voltage of the power line. The following requirements apply:
1. For equipment operations with potential involvement of
power lines up to 350 kV, the employer shall follow the
power line safety requirements of T8 CCR 1612.1.
2. For power lines over 350 kV, the employer shall follow all of
the requirements of 1611.5 and 1612.1. See exceptions.
3. For all energized power lines (all voltages), whenever
equipment operations, including load lines or loads, are
closer than the minimum approach distance under Table A,
the employer shall prohibit these operations. 1612.3
4. Unless the overhead high-voltage power lines are de-
energized and visibly grounded, the operation, erection,
or handling of tools, machinery, apparatus, supplies,
or materials, or any part thereof over the power lines is
prohibited. 1612.3(b)
5. If equipment travels under or near power lines with no