Equipment traveling under or near a power line must: have a lowered boom/mast and support system, obey minimum clearance distances set in Table T, reduce speeds to minimize breaching, use a dedicated spotter if closer than 20 feet, illuminate or identify the power lines at night and, identify and use a safe path of travel.

Table T

Minimum Clearance Distances While Traveling with No Load

Up to 0.75 kV 4 ft
>0.75 to 50 kV 6 ft
>50 to 345 kV 10 ft
>345 to 750 kV 16 ft
>750 to 1,000 kV 20 ft
> 1,000 kV established by owner or registered professional engineer/qualified person

5) Testing

Demonstrate that he/she meets the requirements above through an oral or written test, and through a practical test. This can be difficult to measure. Since there’s no present interpretation, make sure your testing is thorough, and comprehensive. I require an 80% passing grade, and so far, I’ve had a failure rate of about 5%. I think this is about right, since if everyone passes, the test may be too easy, too few pass, and I would be concerned that the information is not being retained.

To summarize, my hope is the this new CC standard will dramatically improve crane safety, and will have an immediate, measurable effect on injuries and fatalities. Again, these new provisions will eventually require additions/ alterations to your overall construction contractor’s safety and health program. This article is just one of many improvements to crane safety, and I’ll try to cover the other provisions in future articles.

f) § 1926.1407-1411 Power Line Safety

One of the most critical aspects of signal person training is explaining the need to stay away from power lines. Cranes contacting power lines are the single biggest cause of crane fatalities, and the new standard should help tremendously, as it gives contractors and operators something to do at 20 feet from power lines. I believe this “early warning system” at least will impress workers of the importance of staying away from power lines, and will raise awareness on the job.
First, the work zone around the crane must be demarcated 360 degrees around the equipment’s greatest reach to ensure that no encroachments can occur within 20 feet of a power line. If the work could encroach on the 20 ft. clearance, the Employer must; confirm with the power company that the line is de-energized and visibly grounded at the worksite, make sure no part gets within 20 feet of the power line (through the use of spotters, etc.), and follow Table A, which has minimum distances based on voltage.

If the work could encroach on the 20 ft. clearance, and the line is not de-energized, the Employer must; conduct a meeting with the crew to review measures to prevent encroachment. use only nonconductive tag lines. And use at least one of the following: a dedicated spotter, a proximity alarm, a range control warning device, an automatic limit device or an elevated warning line/barrier in view of the operator, or an insulating link between the load line and load.

In addition, operators and crew members must be trained in the following; on procedures to follow in the event of a contact, that power lines must be presumed to be energized until confirmed and visibly grounded, that power lines are presumed un-insulated until otherwise confirmed by the owner or a qualified person, on the limits of insulating links and other devices (e.g. proximity alarms), on proper grounding procedures and their limitations. Spotters must also get applicable training.

If Table A is used, the owner/utility must provide the voltage to the employer within two days of a request. Power lines must be assumed to be energized until they are confirmed to be de-energized (disconnected) and visibly grounded at the worksite. Warnings about electrocution hazards must be posted conspicuously in the cab (in view of the operator) and outside the cab (except for overhead gantry and tower cranes).

Table A

Voltage (kV) Minimum clearance distance (ft)

Up to 50 10
>50 to 200 15
> 200 to 350 20
>350 to 500 25*
>500 to 750 35*
>750 to 1,000 45*
> 1,000 determined by the utility/owner

Again, these new provisions will eventually require additions/ alterations to your overall construction contractor’s safety and health program.

b) § 1926.1420 Signals – radio, telephone or other electronic transmission of signals

The device(s) used to transmit signals must be tested on site before beginning operations to ensure that the signal transmission is effective, clear, and reliable (including extra batteries). Signal transmission must be through a dedicated channel, except multiple cranes/derricks and one or more signal persons may share a dedicated channel for the purpose of coordinating operations. Where a crane is being operated on or adjacent to railroad tracks, and the actions of the crane operator need to be coordinated with the movement of other equipment or trains on the same or adjacent tracks. The operator’s reception of signals must be by a hands-free system

c) § 1926.1421 Signals – voice signals – additional requirements

Prior to beginning operations, the operator, signal person and lift director (if there is one), must contact and identify each other and agree on the voice signals that will be used. Once the voice signals are agreed upon, these workers need not meet again to discuss voice signals unless; another worker is added or substituted; there is confusion about the voice signals or; a voice signal is to be changed.

Each voice signal must contain the following three elements, given in the following order:

• function (i.e. hoist, boom, etc.) & direction
• distance and/or speed
• function stop command

If by radio, the parties shall identify themselves each time (i.e. “Mike, it’s Jim, Cable Down” ). Also, there’s no requirement to speak English, only that the operator, signal person and lift director must be able to effectively communicate in the language used

d) § 1926.1422 Signals – hand signal chart

This is a simple requirement in that the hand signal chart must be posted on the equipment or conspicuously posted in the vicinity of the hoisting operations. This means that the chart cannot just be in the main bulletin board along with all the other posters.

e) § 1926.1428 Signal person qualifications

The employer of the signal person must ensure that each signal person meets the Qualification Requirements prior to giving any signals. Again in my opinion, this should be a Competent Person, after all, who should direct the most expensive piece of equipment that can cause the most damage on a jobsite? However, OSHA also give the following two options for qualifying potential signal persons.

Option 1- Third party qualified evaluator

The signal person has documentation from a third party qualified evaluator showing that the signal person meets the Qualification Requirements. An assessment by a third party qualified evaluator under this option is portable between employers.

Option 2- Employer’s qualified evaluator

The employer’s qualified evaluator assesses the individual and determines that the individual meets the Qualification Requirements and provides documentation of that determination. An assessment by an employer’s qualified evaluator under this option is not portable from one employer to another.

Onsite Documentation: The employer must make the documentation for whichever option is used available at the site while the signal person is employed by the employer. The documentation must specify each type of signaling (e.g. hand signals, radio signals, etc.) for which the signal person meets the requirements of this section.

Retraining: If subsequent actions by the signal person indicate that the individual does not meet the Qualification Requirements, the employer must not allow the individual to continue working as a signal person until re-training is provided and a re-assessment is made that confirms that the individual meets the Qualification Requirements. Again, these new provisions will eventually require additions/ alterations to your overall construction contractor’s safety and health program.

4) Know and understand the relevant requirements of:

a) § 1926.1419 Signals – general requirements

A signal person must be provided in each of the following situations; when the point of operation, meaning the load travel or the area near or at load placement, is not in full view of the operator; when the equipment is traveling and the view in the direction of travel is obstructed; and when due to site specific safety concerns, either the operator or the person handling the load determines that it is necessary

Signals to operators must be by; Hand, Voice, Audible, or New Signals. When using hand signals, the Standard Method must be used, unless where use of the Standard Method for hand signals is infeasible, or where an operation or use of an attachment is not covered in the Standard Method, non-standard hand signals may be used. When using non-standard hand signals, the signal person, operator, and lift director must contact each other prior to the operation and agree on the non-standard hand signals that will be used

When using audible signals (i.e. air horn) the following signals shall be used for moving a crane.

STOP: one short audible signal
GO AHEAD: two short audible signals
BACK UP: three short audible signals
Emergency Stop
Many short audible signals or
Long, continuous audible signal
New signals: signals other than hand, voice, or audible signals may be used where the employer demonstrates that: the new signals provide at least equally effective communication as voice, audible, or Standard Method hand signals, or the new signals comply with a national consensus standard that provides at least equally effective communication as voice, audible, or Standard Method hand signals.

The signals used (hand, voice, audible, or new), and means of transmitting the signals to the operator (such as direct line of sight, video, radio, etc.), must be appropriate for the site conditions. During operations requiring signals, the ability to transmit signals between the operator and signal person must be maintained. If that ability is interrupted at any time, the operator must safely stop operations requiring signals until it is reestablished and a proper signal is given and understood

If the operator becomes aware of a safety problem and needs to communicate with the signal person, the operator must safely stop operations. Operations must not resume until the operator and signal person agree that the problem has been resolved. If it is desired to give instructions to the operator, other than those provided by the established signal system, the operator must safely stop operations Only one person may give signals to a crane/derrick at a time, except anyone who becomes aware of a safety problem must alert the operator or signal person by giving the stop or emergency stop signal, and the operator MUST obey any stop signal. Again, these new provisions will eventually require additions/ alterations to your overall construction contractor’s safety and health program.

3) Have a basic understanding of equipment operation and limitations, including the crane dynamics involved in swinging and stopping loads and boom deflection from hoisting loads (cont.)

This is an extremely important part of this training – again this section especially may be above the layperson’s comprehension, and care should be considered who takes this training. The following is a brief rundown of basic crane operations I discuss in my classes.

Avoid swinging loads over personnel (workers, public, etc) –best practice is 100% avoidance. Extra Caution/ Care should be used when; Engaged in hooking, unhooking or guiding a load. Engaged in the initial attachment of the load to a component or structure. Working with suspended equipment.

During specialized operations such as tilt-up, personnel shall not be within the fall zone of the load until it is vertical.

Traveling with a suspended load is allowed if; determined to be safe and legal (manufacturer restrictions, etc.), different load charts may need to be used, the load may need to be secured during travel, the swing lock and/or other interlocks may need to be engaged, and you should consider routes of travel and ground conditions. Also, an additional signalperson/assistance may be need.

The operator shall not leave the controls while the load is suspended NOTE: This does not apply to below the hook rigging devices. There are provisions in ANSI B30.5 that allow operators to leave the controls of a crane with a load suspended provided that special circumstances are involved and special safety precautions are met. Secure the equipment when unattended against unauthorized use/entry.

Crane operations shall be stopped due to adverse conditions, such as; excessive wind velocity or gusting, fog and visibility issues, lightning and storms, changing soil conditions, freezing/thawing, and heavy rains/snow.

Anytime a crane is required to lift 75% or more of it’s capacity in a given situation (as determined by the load chart for a particular lift) that is considered a critical lift. A large percentage of accidents occur when critical lifts are being performed, and as such, special measures now have to be taken according to the new standard.

A written critical lift plan now has to be done that includes the following:

• Documented pre-lift meeting with all involved parties
• Prior to the lift, field verifications of documented plan (measurements, clearances, rigging, etc.)
• Calculations of load, rigging and line weights
• Diagram of rigging configuration
• Description of crane activity
• Diagram of load path
• Copy of crane chart
• Signatures of persons involved

Booms on cranes deflect to varying degrees based on several factors. When the crane gets up on a significant load, the boom deflection will lengthen the radius – and the load will move away from the crane when it clears the ground. Countermeasures have to be taken to not allow this to happen.

Load momentum can induce the following:

• Side loading of the boom – failure
• Increased radius – tipping and/or failure
• Loss of absolute control of the load
• Damage to load
• Damage to rigging
• Damage to lines/ crane

Bottom Line – Slow Down to a Stop

Proper crane setup is required to utilize load chart to it’s maximum. Outriggers fully extended, supported with proper, tight cribbing to 3-4 times the plate’s footprint, tires off the ground, and level. Again, these new provisions will eventually require additions/ alterations to your overall construction contractor’s safety and health program.

1. Know and understand the type of signals used
   If hand signals are used, the signal person must know and understand the Standard Method for hand signals. This means that a signal person has to be independently qualified (more on this later) in the type of signaling they will use. For instance, if you’re only going to use a radio to signal a crane in the future, you must understand the requirements for this type of signaling, proper radio protocol, etc. However, your certification (again more on this later) would only be for radio signaling, and not, say for hand signaling (and of course, vice-versa). In essence, this handicaps the signal person and raises the possibility for non-compliance as someone may be called upon to signal in another method. My point is that any signal person course should be for radio, audible, voice, and hand signals to make the student as well-rounded as possible. In addition, certification and/or documentation is required to be onsite, and shall specify the types of signals the person is qualified to give.
2. Be competent in the application of the type of signals used
   Again, competency is in the eye of the beholder. While a person may pass a written and practical test, they still may not be appropriate to signal a crane in the field. This should be carefully weighed by the employer. Competent in this context means passing two tests.
3. Have a basic understanding of equipment operation and limitations, including the crane dynamics involved in swinging and stopping loads and boom deflection from hoisting loads
   This is an extremely important part of this training – again this section especially may be above the layperson’s comprehension, and care should be considered who takes this training. The following is a brief rundown of basic crane operations I discuss in my classes.

Ground conditions must be firm, drained, and graded with the use of supporting materials. Use equipment manufacturer’s specifications for adequate support requirements. You must ensure that ground preparations are safe, and you must inform the user of the equipment and the operator of the location of known hazards beneath the equipment set-up area (such as voids, tanks, utilities). If there is no controlling entity then the employer that has authority at the site to make or arrange for ground preparations must do so.

Erect and maintain control lines, warning lines, railings or similar barriers to mark the swing radius including counter weight due to hazards of struck by or caught in between. Where swing radius protection is not feasible, use a dedicated spotter. Employees who may enter the swing radius shall be trained how to recognize struck-by and caught between hazards. Communication and coordination between operator and personnel who must enter the swing radius shall be maintained.

Again, these new provisions will eventually require additions/ alterations to your overall construction contractor’s safety and health program.

Having developed and taught this signal person course to over 100 construction workers in several courses since the standard came out on August, I’ve got an excellent insight into the provisions of the standard from “ground level”. First are the general provisions of the standard.

Qualification Requirements of a Signal Person

While the qualifications for a Competent Person requires experience in the craft or field, and extensive safety knowledge, both general and specific, oddly enough there are no such requirements to be a signal person. For a signal person to be qualified, they simply must:

1. Know and understand the type of signals used,
2. Be competent in the application of the type of signals used
3. Have a basic understanding of equipment operation and limitations, including the crane dynamics involved in swinging and stopping loads and boom deflection from hoisting loads
4. Know and understand the relevant requirements of:
   • § 1926.1419 Signals – general requirements
   • § 1926.1420 Signals – radio, telephone or other electronic transmission of signals
   • § 1926.1421 Signals – voice signals – additional requirements
   • § 1926.1422 Signals – hand signal chart
   • § 1926.1428 Signal person qualifications, and
   • § 1926.1407-1411 Power Line Safety
5. Demonstrate that he/she meets the requirements above through an oral or written test, and through a practical test

Now, so far, I haven’t run into a non-experienced construction worker, and I expect there’ll be some requests for interpretation in the near future. In my opinion, being a layperson with no construction field experience, and sitting in a class and merely passing the testing does not qualify them to signal (and ultimately be responsible for) a crane. Employers must be careful who they allow to take the test and should be at the level of a Competent Person. In the next parts, we’ll get into the requirements for each of the above items.

It is not uncommon to see fall protection being misused in general. For example, we often see improperly installed systems or PPE utilized incorrectly. Another example of this unfortunate reality is portable guardrail systems.

A major contractor recently recognized the ease with which manufactured guardrail systems can be improperly installed. These systems provide a convenient guardrail system and at times can replace traditional wood handrail systems as guardrail during construction. While these systems provide great flexibility, cost effectiveness, and ease of use, each manufacturer has different installation requirements that significantly affect their overall strength and effectiveness. They emphasize that for the guardrail to function properly, these systems typically have very specific set-up requirements for each manufacturer. The installation requirements must be followed for the entire system, similar to manufactured scaffold systems.

The following alert relates to a portable rail system that is becoming a common replacement for conventional wooden barriers for perimeter fall prevention. Most common on roofs, these devices are easily assembled, moveable, and re-usable while providing the protection specified by OSHA.

We recognize the value of these engineered systems compared to traditional wood handrail systems but is recommending that the installations be well planned and maintained on projects. Like manufactured scaffold, the focus must be on the assembly of the entire system for these to be safe and effective.

Assembly

• Inspect each component before use – every time you assemble or modify
• Use only the specified tool (torque wrench, Allen etc.) for connections
• Fall protection may be required to install these barriers
• These must be installed on a clean surface – they cannot slide on stones
• Certain systems require the base plate to be specifically oriented
• Many systems require a set-back from the edge being protected – most are 24”. Best practice is to never set these closer than 6 feet from the edge, unless the base can be mechanically fastened to the floor or roof diaphragm.
• These systems often require a specific end configuration so they are never free-standing

During Use

• Remove any damaged component from service and render unusable
• If the system is struck by anything it should be inspected and all connections examined and re-tightened as needed

Material Handling

Base plates are extremely heavy and should be wheeled into position using a “buddysystem” to deploy and collect them as workers have injured their backs moving these up flights of stairs to the roof. Be alert for electrical hazards

Final Note: You must read and understand the assembly directions supplied by the manufacturer and ensure these are installed exactly as instructed.

Unlike regular sneakers or boots, steel toe shoes have a steel plate or toe cap inside of the shoe. This piece of steel incases the toes to help prevent them from becoming injured. The steel plate can be found to only incase the toes or can also be made to cover about half of the top of the foot. These specialty shoes can come in a variety of styles and made out of a wide range of materials.

The fabrics that steel toe shoes come in are Gortex, canvas, leather and suede. Gortex is a waterproof material that allows the skin to breath. Canvas is a natural woven material that can be made out of cotton or hemp. Leather and suede are made out of the hide of cows. Depending on the type of job at hand will determine the type of material that the shoe or boot should be made out of.

Steel toe shoes and boots come in a variety of styles. Some are designed like sneakers, while others are designed like traditional work boots. Workers that are on their feet for long periods of time prefer to wear shoes or boots with extra ankle support. People will also find that some of the sneaker styles of steel toe shoes have shoe laces, while some have Velcro.
The importance of wearing steel toe footwear on the job site can be just as important as the tools that they work with everyday. The foot protection that this type of footwear provides has become a common site on many jobsites. Not only can these specialty shoes be functional, they can also be stylish too.

Sectional, or frame scaffold is the most common scaffold system. The system is comprised of frames that come in various widths and heights, but the most common is 5′ wide. These frames are then held together with cross braces that again come in a variety of lengths, but the 7′ is the most common. This is the easiest scaffold to erect, but relatively inflexible.

On the other end of the scale, tube & coupler scaffolding is designed to be used in places where the area to be scaffolded has obstructions in the way. This system can be arranged in a wide variety of sizes and shapes to fit around any obstruction. The system is comprised of various lengths of tubes that are connected together by right angle clamps known as rigid clamps. There are also swivel clamps that are used to connect diagonal bracing to prevent swaying. While very difficult to erect, you can place this scaffold almost anywhere.

Systems scaffolds is a compromise between the other two scaffolds. This type has some of the versatility of tube & coupler scaffolding with some of the speed and ease of sectional scaffolding. System scaffold components resemble tube & coupler, but with connectors that are used for joining different components together. The vertical members come in different heights, but they all have a connection ring welded at uniformly spaced intervals. These vertical members are then connected together with horizontal members (runners & bearers) that are made in specific lengths and have fittings at each end for attachment to rings on the vertical members. This system is very flexible in its use.

Remember, proper selection of the type of scaffold to use will save you a lot of time and effort, and will usually provide the safest working environment for you and your workers.