CRANE AND HOIST OPERATOR TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Improper rigging and operator error lead in the primary causes of overhead crane and hoist accidents. Therefore, every operation that relies on the use of overhead cranes must make effective crane and hoist operator training a major initiative.
A 10-year OSHA study ending in 2007 analyzed the costs of approximately 250 OSHA reported accidents over the 10-year period. The report outlined the human impact as well as the financial impact of the 270 reported injuries and fatalities. The economic loss averaged two million dollars per incident. The most enlightening finding is that 70% of the incidents would have likely been prevented if proper training of the operators had been conducted. In 74% of the cases, the cranes were being used in routine operations where OSHA requires that specific training is provided to properly prepare and protect employees.
Based upon the above, we can see both the safety need and the OSHA requirement for training of crane and hoist operators.
The Requirements for Operator Training for use of Overhead Cranes and Hoists
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for overhead and gantry cranes state, “Only designated personnel shall be permitted to operate a crane covered by this section” (1910.179(b)(8). “Designated,” according to 1910.179(a)(35), refers to those individuals deemed to be qualified to operate an overhead crane for a specific application.
While OSHA standards do not spell out overhead crane training requirements, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers does get much more specific in the ASME B30.2 standard.
Section 2-3.1.2 states that training must be specific to the equipment and task, or application, at hand. This means that the operator must be trained in the specific type of equipment they use as well as the controllers (radio, pendant, cab,) the environment, and the application…the exact handling of the various loads while they are in the operator’s control.
ASME B30.2 offers a “but not limited to” list of what a training program should cover, as well as the responsibilities of a crane operator and others involved in moving loads. It further states that a company’s management is responsible to “provide training to persons who will operate a crane” (Section 2-3.3.3(b).
And if there’s any question about where you can obtain overhead crane training, ASME B30.2 covers that too: from equipment manuals and government training materials to “courses, seminars and literature” provided by crane manufacturers.
HOW WE CAN HELP
CRANE 1 offer operator training classes using Certified Trainers and based upon the equipment in your plant and the loads being handled. Practical training and testing has the operators using the equipment on site and learning how to manage the specific loads being handled. Contact us below or call the office nearest you to discuss your exact requirements.
