CRANES AND OTHER

HOISTING EQUIPMENT
DEFINITIONS
Crane a machine for lifting or lowering load and moving it horizontally, in
which the hoisting mechanism is an integral part of the machine. It may be
driven manually or by power and may be a fixed or mobile machine, but does
not include stackers, or lift trucks.
Cab an enclosure for housing the operator and the hoisting mechanism,
power plant, and equipment controlling crane.
Cage an enclosure for housing the operator and equipment controlling a
crane.
Buffer a cushioning device at the ends of a trolley, bridge, or other moving
part of a crane operating on rails to minimize shock in the event of collision.
Bumper a device which stops the moving part at the limit of travel of a trolley,
bridges, or crane operating on rails, and prevents further motion beyond that
point.
Crane Runway the structure upon which a crane runs, and may be:
A structure consisting of columns, longitudinal bracing and elevated beams,
girders, or trusses, for supporting travelling or bridge cranes.
Elevated beams, girders, or trusses in a building or on the side of a building, for
supporting travelling cranes.
Surface tracks or rails.
Tracks or rails on walls or trestles.
Hoist an apparatus for raising or lowering a load by the application of a pulling
force, but does not include a car or platform riding in guides.
Trolley a truck or carriage on which the hoisting mechanism is mounted and which
travels on an overhead beam, or track. It may be either over-running riding
above its wheels; or under running suspended under the beam, bridge, or track.
Truck (of an overhead, gantry, or locomotive crane) the framework and wheels
operating on the runway or wails and supporting the bridges, trolley, or body of the
crane.
Type of Cranes
Boom Type Mobile Crane a self propelled crane equipped with a boom and
mounted on a chassis which is supported on either rubber tires, endless belts or
threads, or railway wheels running on railroad tracks.
Gantry Crane a crane similar to an overhead traveling crane, except that
the bridge for carrying the trolley or trolleys is rigidly supported on two or more
movable legs running on fixed rails or other runway.
Jib Crane a fixed crane consisting of a supported vertical member from
which extends a horizontal swinging arms carrying a trolley hoist or other
hoisting mechanism.
Locomotive Crane a crane consisting of a self-propelled car operating on a
railroad track, upon which is mounted a rotating body supporting the power
operated mechanism together with a boom capable of being raised or
lowered at its head from which is led to the wire rope or chain connected to
the hoisting mechanism for raising or lowering a load.
Tower Crane a portal crane, with or without an opening between the legs of
its supporting structure, adapted to hoist,and swing load over high obstructions
and mounted upon a fixed or mobile tower-like gantry. The revolving crane
may be supported on the tower by a revolving mast or by a turntable.
Types of Hoist
Base-mounted electric hoist similar to an overhead electric hoist, except that
it has a base or feet and maybe mounted overhead, on a vertical plane, or in
any position for which it is designed.
Clevis suspension hoist a hoist whose upper suspension member is a clevis.
Hook suspension hoist a hoist whose upper suspension member is a hook.
Monorail a trolley suspension hoist whose trolley is suspended from a single rail.
Overhead electrical hoist a motor driven hoist having one or more drums or or
sheaves for rope or chain, and supported overhead. It may be fixed or
travelling.
Trolley suspension hoist a hoist whose upoer suspension member is a trolley, for
the purpose of running the hoist below a suitable runway, it may be either floor
or cage-operated.
Simple drum hoist a hoist with one or more drums controlled by manually
operated clutches, brakes or ratchet and pawl on drum and control levers,
which is operated by hand or by power.
Double drum hoist a simple hoist having two independent hoisting drum
Single drum hoist a simple hoist having only one hoisting drum.
Single fixed drum hoist a single hoist with the drum geared directly to the power
unit instead of means of friction clutches.
Triple drum hoist a simple hoist having three independent hoisting drums.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CRANES
Access to Cage, Cab or Machine House required:
5.3.1.1 Access to the cage, or machine house shall be afforded by a
conveniently placed stationary ladder, stairs, or platform requiring a
step-over, no gap exceeding 300 mm but shall not exceed 815 mm
and so located that a person approaching or leaving crane shall not
be required to expose himself to dangerous shear hazards.

5.3.1.2 For bridge and gantry cranes, there shall be a ladder, stairs or other
safe means which provides convenient access to the bridge
walkway. Where cage is attached to and below bridge girders
unless there are adequate bridge stops or bumpers to prevent the
trolley from passing over said projected area opposite the cage.
5.3.1.3 When necessary to go out on booms or bridges to oil the blocks or
other parts of the machinery, each boom or bridge shall be
equipped with a substantial oilers walkway or platform and grab
irons giving access to the outrig blocks and machinery. Permanent
elevated platforms attached to the building at the end of the bridge
crane runways and at the same level of the bridge will be
acceptable in lieu of the oilers platform on the bridge. Singel girder or
monorail bridges with underhung trolleys are serviced or repaired
from a safe portable ladder or other safe temporary means. Boom
which can be and are safely lowered to a safe location for such
servicing operation will be exempted from this code.

5.3.1.4 Where practicable every overhead travelling crane walkway shall

have a headroom of at least 1950 mm. Where not practicable to
provide this clearance the crane walkway shall have atleast 1500
mm clearance or it shall be ommited from the crane and a
permanent elevated platform attached to the building at the end of
the crane runway be provided.
5.3.2 Outdoor Cages, Cabs, or Machine Houses. The cages, cabs, or machine
houses on cranes used in incliment weather shall be enclosed to protect
the operator.

Warning Devices:
5.3.3.1 A gong or other effective warning signal shall be mounted on each
cage or cab controlled crane equipped with a power travelling
mechanism. Cage or cab controlled cranes operating over areas
congested with employees may be required to be equipped with
automatic warning devices which can be sounded continuously while
the crane is in motion.
5.3.3.2 Any cage or cab controlled crane whose warning device has become
inoperative shall not be operated until the warning device is repaired or
replaced. Temporary crane operation will be permitted provided there
is an available flagman whose sole duty is to warn those in the path of
the crane or its load.
5.3.4 Fire Extinguisher. A carbon-tetrachloride, carbon dioxide, or other non
conducting medium, hand fire extinguisher shall be kept in the cage,
cab or machine house of each electric or internal combustion engine
crane.
Controllers:
5.3.5.1 Each electric cage-operated crane shall be provided with a device
which will disconnect all motors from the line on failure of power and will
not permit any motor to be restarted until the controller handle is brought
to the off position, or a reset switch or button is operated.
5.3.5.2 For floor operated cranes, the controller or controllers, if rope operated
shall automatically return to the off position when released by the
operator.

5.3.5.3 Lever operated controllers shall be provided with a mechanical device

which will hold the hanlde in the off position requiring voluntary effort
to move it from the off position to the on position.
5.3.5.4 All electrically operated cranes shall have their controller plainly
marked to indicate their function and equipment they control.

5.3.5.5 The controller operating handles shall be located within convenient

reach of the operator.

5.3.5.6 As far as is practicable, the movement of each controller handle shall

be in the same general direction as the resultant movements of the
load.

The controls for the bridge and trolley shall be so located that the
5.3.5.7
operator car readily see the direction of the travel while operating the
controls.
5.3.5.8 All electric cranes of the same type operating in a given plant shall Be
so wired that like motion of controller handles will produce like effect in
similar controlled mechanism.
5.3.6 Hoist Limit Switches. The hoisting motion of all electric overhead
travelling cranes shall be provided with a suitable and effective
enclosed type limit switch so placed and arranged as to disconnect the
hoist motor and apply the brake in time to stop the motor before the
hook passes the highest point of safe travel.

Brakes:
5.3.7.1 Each electric crane hoist motor shall be provided with an electrically or
mechanically operated brake so arranged that the brake will be applied when
the power is cut off from the hoist. This brake shall have sufficient holding torque
to sustain not less than one and one-half times the rated load.
Each independent hoisting unit shall be equipped with two braking means
5.3.7.2 except wormgeared hoist, the angle of whose worm is such as to prevent the
load from lowering. One brake shall be covered by above, and each braking
means shall be capable of sustaining or safely controlling the lowering of not less
than one and one-half times the rated load.
5.3.7.3 Each ingot pouring crane shall be provided with two brakes each of which shall
have sufficient torque to sustain one and one-half times the rated load.
5.3.8 Foot Brake Pedal. Foot brake pedal shall be so roughened or covered
with high friction material that the operators foot will not easily slip off.

5.3.9 Locking Device. A locking device capable of withstanding 50 percent

more than the maximum rated load shall be provided on each hand or
foot operated hoisting motion brake unless a paw is provided on the
drum.
Brakes for Bridge and Swinging Motion:
5.3.10.1 On cage operating cranes with the cage mounted directly on the bridge
grinders, a foot brake to properly retart and stop the motion of the bridge
automatically when the power is cut off. This does not apply to
underslung cab monorail cranes.
5.3.10.2 Brakes for retarding the motion of the bridge shall be capable of
retarding it at the rate of 305 mm/min., while full load is being carried.

5.3.10.3 The swinging or slowing mechanism on boom type cranes shall be

provided with a brake or lock having adequate holding power in either
direction. The lever operating this brake or lock shall have a device by
which it can be secured in the holding position.
Runway Bumpers:
At the limit of travel of the bridge or gantry structures, bumpers shall be provided
which will prevent bridge or gantry structures from leaving the ends of the rails. If
the bumpers engage the thread of the wheel they shall be of a height at least
equal to the radius of the wheel.
Trolley Bumpers:
5.3.13.1 Bumpers shall be provided at each end of the trolley travel to prevent
trolleys leaving the rails. If the bumpers engage the thread of the
wheel they shall be of a height at least equal to the radius of the
wheel.
5.3.13.2 If there Is more than one trolley on the same bridge girders, buffers or
other cushioning shall be placed between the trolleys.

5.3.14 Bridge or Gantry Buffers. If there is more than one crane on the same
runway, buffers or other cushioning devices shall be placed between
the crane at both ends of the bridges or gantry.
Capacity Marking and Load Indication:
5.3.16.1 The minimum rated load of all cranes shall be plainly marked on each
side of the crane, and if the crane has more than one hoisting unit,
each hoist shall have marked on it or its load block its rated capacity;
and this should be clearly legible from the ground or floor.
5.3.16.2 Each variable radius Boom-tyoe crane shall be equipped with a safe
load diagram or table which will give a clear indication of the
permissible loads at the various radii.

5.3.16.3 If change-speed gear is used on the lifting motion, the rated load for
each speed shall be similarly indicated.

5.3.17 Runway Repair. No repairs on travelling crane runways or within such

proximity to the same as to constitute a hazard to workmen shall be
made unless a wheel stop of a height at least equal to the radius of the
wheel is secured to each rail and a warning sign is placed on each rail
a reasonable distance from the worker, or properly shielded rail-road
torpedoes or watchman are used to warn workers of the approach of
the crane
Crane Runways:
5.3.18.1 Runway columns shall be securely anchored to foundations.
5.3.18.2 The structure shall be free from excessive vibration under operating
conditions.

5.3.18.3 Runway girders shall be level and parallel within commonly accepted
engineering tolerances.

Rails:
5.3.19.1 Rails shall be securely attached to the girders or to the foundation.

5.3.19.2 Rails shall be level, in elevation with each other, parallel and in correct
span within commonly accepted engineering tolerances.

5.3.20 Clearances. All traveling cranes the supporting trucks or wheel of

which travel rails on the ground shall have at least 600 mm clearances
between the crane and stationary structures or stacks or piles of
materials. Where impossible to obtain said clearance in existing
installation such impaired passageway areas shall be well marked or
placarded or when practicable shall be guarded by standard or
barricades to prevent traffic.
ARTICLE 5.4 Boom Type Mobile Cranes
5.4.1 Operating Levers
5.34.1.1 Lever operated controller shall be provided with a
mechanical device which will hold handle in the off
position requiring voluntary effort to remove it from off
to the on position.
5.4.1.2 The operating levers shall be located within convenient
reach of the operator.

5.4.2 Boom Stops. Booms shall have a device designed and constructed
to prevent the boom from falling over backwards.
5.4.3 Capacity Marking Substantial plates of metal or other durable
material shall be attached at a conspicuous place on the crane
have cast or stamped thereon the rated load at the maximum and
minimum radius and at least two other points for all boom and with
the boom both parallel and transverse to the line of travel. The
indications shall be given for loads both with and without outriggers
when such outriggers are provided.
5.4.4 Access to Cage, Cab, Machine and Boom Blocks
5.4.5.1 Boom type mobile cranes and boom type excavators shall
be provided with steps and handfolds or other safe means
so located as to give convenient and safe access to the
cage, cab, or machine house.
5.4.5.2 When necessary to go out on booms to oil the blocks or
other parts of machinery, each boom shall be equipped
with substantial oilers walkway or platform and grab-irons
giving access to the outring blocks and machinery. Booms
which can be safely lowered to the ground and which
are lowered thereto for necessary service are exempted
from this code.
5.4.6 Protection for Operators of Outdoor Cranes. The cages, cabs, or
machine house on outdoor cranes shall be enclosed to protect the
operator from the inclement weather except when such enclosure
would interfere with the safe operation of the crane.
5.4.4 Gage Glasses. Gage glasses shall be of the reflex type or shall be
guarded by means of wire mesh of similar guard to prevent injury from
flying pieces of glass.
5.4.10 Brake or Locking Device. Boom type mobile cranes shall be equipped
with an effective brake of swing lock for swinging mechanism. The
breaking mechanism shall be equipped with a device to secure it in
holding position,
5.4.13 Warning Devices. An adequate whistle, gong, bell or other warning
devices shall be provided for all boom type mobile crane.
5.4.16 Fire Extinguisher. A carbon tetrachloride , carbon dioxide , ansul, or other
non-conductive medium hand fire extinguisher shall be kept or just
outside the cage cab or machine house of each electric, internal
combustion engine of steam driven mobile boom type crane
5.4.17 Lighting. Boom type mobile cranes which operate as night shall have
loads hooks and working areas as equately illuminated. Such lighting can
be accomplished either by outside lighting placed on the booms or cabs.
Boomheads and hooks should be painted with high visibly yellow or other
contrasting colors.
Article 5.5 Hoists
5.5.1 Limit Switches. Each overheard electric hoist motor shall be
equipped with an effective enclosed type limit switch so placed
and arranged as to disconnect the motor and apply the brake in
time to stop the motor before the hook passes the highest point
of safe travel.
5.5.2 Brakes.
5.5.2.1 Each electric hoist motor shall be provided with an
electricallly or mechanically operated brake so arranged
that the brake will applied when the power is cut off from
the hoist. This brake shall have sufficient holding torque to
sustain not less than one and one-half times the rated
load.
 5.5.2.2 Each independent hoisting unit shall be equipped with two
braking means except worm geared hoists, the angle of whose
worms is such as to prevent the load from lowering and simple
drum hoists which need have but one braking means. One brake
will be so covered by:
(a) above and each braking means shall be capable of sustaining or
safety controlling and lowering not less that one and one-half times
the rated load.
(b) the hoisting drum of all hand power hoist shall be equipped with an
effective brake and shall be provided with a ratchet and pawi of
sufficient strength to hold the load in any position.
5.5.3 Hoist Trolley Frames. Trolley Frames shall be constructed so as to avoid
dangerous spreading under load. Trolley frames which shows sign of
excessive spreading under load shall not be used until repaired or
replaced.
5.5.4 Capacity Marking. Each hoist designed to lift its load vertically shall have
its rated load legibly marked on the hoist or load block or some equally
visible space.
5.5.5 Stops:
5.5.5.1 Stops shall be provided at the end of the monorails and crane
runways and may contact either the frame of the wheels. Stops
designed to contact the wheels shall be of a height not less than
the radius of the wheel.
5.5.5.2 A stop, which operate automatically, shall be provided at each
switch, dead end rail or turn table to prevent the trolley from
running off when the switch is open.
5.5.5.3 Every overhead monorail system of tracks, which employs
the use of travelling transfer bridges between tracks, which
employ the use of travelling transfer bridges between stationary
rails, shall be equipped with automatic locking devices which will
positively lock the travelling transfer bridges rail to the stationary
rails when the bridges is positioned for trolley travel from
stationary rails or movable bridges or vice-versa.
5.5.6 Control Equipment. Operating controls shall be plainly marked to indicate
the direction travel.
5.5.7 Warning Device. Each cage controlled hoist shall be equipped with an
effective warning device.
 Article 5.6 Derricks in Permanent Location
5.6.1 Construction:
5.6.1.1 Derricks of appropriate design, proper strength and size for the work
to be performed shall be constructed of steel or suitable alloy or of
sound, seasoned lumber of adequate cross-section considering of its
use, unit strength, resistance to or protection against deterioration
and shall be anchored so as to prevent tripping or collapsing.
5.6.1.2 Guyed derricks should have at least 6 guys but under no
circumstances shall guyed derrick have less than 4 guys.
5.6.1.3 Guys shall be adequate strength and where exposed to the weather
shall be galvarized or other wise adequately protected against
deterioration.
5.6.2 Load Indication:
5.6.2.1 Every derrick shall have plainly marked on it the length of the boom,
the rated load and the corresponding radius.
5.6.3 Hoisting Ropes. Wire ropes running from hoisting machine to derrick shall
be guarded if within 2,135 mm of floor or platform.
5.6.4 Access to Sheaves, Bearings, and Blocks. If necessary to go out on derrick
booms to service sheaves, bearings or blocks, said boom must be
equipped with substantial oilers catwalk and necessary grab irons to give
access to the equipment to be serviced.
Article 5.7 Auxiliary Hoisting Equipment:
5.7.1 Hoisting Chains and Ropes
5.7.1.1 All chains, wire ropes and fiber ropes used for hoisting purposes
shall be sufficient strength to safely lift or otherwise handle the
loads. The maximum allowable working loads shall be based on
manufacturers tables.
5.7.1.2 Every hoist chain, wire rope and fiber rope in hoisting drums shall
be of sufficient length so that the hoist hook shall at least reach
the floor, ground, or lowest working level. (Exemption: Chain hoists
employing pocket sheaves instead of drums).
5.7.2 Hooks, Slings, and Fitting. All hooks, slings, and fittings shall be of correct
size for the work to be done and shall have strength sufficient to safely
sustain a loads impose upon them.
Article 5.8 Operating Rules:
5.8.1 Size of Load. A crane, derrick, or hoist shall not be loaded beyond the
railed capacity or safe working load whichever is smaller.
5.8.2 Attaching the Load:
5.8.2.1 The load shall attached to the hook by means of slings or other
suitable and effective means which shall be properly rigged
to the safe handling of the load.
5.8.2.2 Chains and wire rope slings shall be freed to kinks and twists
before use.
5.8.2.3 Basket, tubs, skips or similar containers used for hoisting bulk
materials shall be loaded so as not to exceed their safe carrying
capacity.
5.8.3 Riding on Loads. No employee shall be required to try shall ride on loads,
slings, hooks, buckets or skip boxes except under condition or exemptions
covered by other rules of the division.
 Article 5.9 Inspection
5.9.1 The employer shall require that fast moving parts such as wire ropes,
bearing gears, friction clutches, chain drives and other parts subject to
wear be inspected at adequate intervals and any unsafe conditions must
be corrected. The Engineer must be required to keep properly
accomplished logbooks indicating the dates of inspection in the action
made of each and every equipment under his area of supervision.
5.9.2 Mechanically and electrically operated brakes shall be inspected
periodically or as often as necessary. Repairs and adjustments when
necessary should be made immediately.
5.9.3 Cranes handling molten metal shall be inspected at least once a week
when in use and necessary repairs made accordingly.