Cranes and Hoists

Standard 29 CFR Part 1910.179

Presented by: Murray Risk Management and Insurance

Today’s agenda

In today’s session, you’ll be learning about:

 Safety before using the crane or hoist

 How to conduct a crane and hoist pre-use

inspection

 Safety during the lift

 Safety at the end of the job

What are cranes and hoists?

Cranes are machines for

lifting and lowering
loads, and moving the
load horizontally.

A hoist is a machine that

can be part of a crane or
it can be installed alone.
Hoists are designed to lift
and lower material.
Cranes and hoists: Before use

• Only trained and authorized personnel are allowed to

operate cranes and hoists

• Read and understand the manufacturer instructions for

safe operation

• Always inspect the crane or hoist before

operation
Pre-use inspection

1. Visually check all components for damage and wear

2. Check hydraulic and air systems for leaks

3. Check hooks and latches

4. Check hoist chains and ropes

5. Operate all controls to ensure proper operation with no load

6. Check operation of the upper limit switch with an empty

hook at low speed (beginning of the shift)

NEVER USE A DAMAGED OR DEFECTIVE CRANE OR HOIST!

Starting the job

 Safe attachment and rigging of material is a critical part of

crane and hoist safety: be sure that you have adequate
instructions or supervision

 Loads must always be centered on the crane at or near its

balance point

 Plan your route so material is never moved over or close to

people or where the load might strike another object in the
work environment

NEVER LIFT MATERIAL OVER YOUR HEAD

OR OVER OTHER PERSONNEL
Starting the job

 Communicate crane and hoist use when material is handled

close to where others are working: alert other workers
verbally or by using crane warning devices (if present)

 Check the weight of the load and be sure that it is within the
maximum lifting capacity of the crane or hoist

NEVER EXCEED THE MAXIMUM LIFTING CAPACITY OF A

CRANE, HOIST, SLING OR OTHER LIFTING DEVICES
During the lift

• Never place any body part

under the suspended load.
Stay back from the potential
drop zone of the suspended
material

• Never wrap the lifting rope

or chain around material:
use a sling or other device to
attach the load to the crane
or hoist

• Do not twist the lifting rope

or chain, or slings and
rigging devices
During the lift

• Do not jerk the material: use slow and steady movements

when operating equipment

• Never make lateral lifts or side pulls: the material should be

directly below the lifting block of the crane or hoist

• If the load starts to fall: warn others in the area and get
away

NEVER ATTEMPT TO CATCH OR STOP A LOAD

THAT IS FALLING FROM A CRANE OR HOIST
End of the job

– Do not leave
loads suspended
on a crane or
hoist
– Raise and/or
store the lift hook
and block where
it is not a hazard
for others
walking through
the area
Lifting equipment in our facility

The following cranes and hoists are used in our

facility:
– insert list of equipment here
Conclusion

When using cranes and hoists:

1. The operator is responsible for her/his

safety and for the safety of all others in
the area.
2. To keep the job safe, the rules must be
followed from inspection through the
end of the job.
For more information

For more information regarding crane and hoist

safety, or other safety issues please contact:

Murray Risk Management and Insurance

Matthew Olphin, Asst. VP / Risk Control
Specialist