512 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 16-22

Sections

Chapter 16: Load Handling Equipment (LHE)

This chapter outlines guidelines for the operation, inspection, and management of Load Handling Equipment (LHE) with a hoisting or lifting capacity over 2,000 lbs. This includes cranes, derricks, hoists, and power-operated equipment like excavators and forklifts, especially when used to raise, lower, and move suspended loads.

This chapter emphasizes the operation, inspection, and management of Load Handling Equipment (LHE).

It addresses the requirements for helicopter operations, the inspection and exemption criteria for various LHE types, and the necessary qualifications and training for personnel involved in load handling activities.

The chapter emphasizes the significance of adhering to manufacturer’s instructions, the necessity for operator certifications, and the critical nature of maintaining and inspecting equipment to ensure safety standards are met.

The chapter also covers procedures and safety measures for landing and placing loads, specifying conditions under which loads can be safely added to steel joists and the importance of distributing weight to avoid exceeding load capacities.

It also covers the erection of systems-engineered metal buildings, detailing the requirements for anchoring structural columns, the installation of bridging, and the precautions against placing construction loads prematurely.

Application.

a.  Helicopter Operations.  Refer to 29 CFR 1910.183 and 29 CFR 1926.551 for helicopter operations that are configured to hoist loads.

b.  Hoisting/Lifting Capacity.  Refer to 29 CFR 1926.1441  (29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC) for LHE with a rated hoisting/lifting capacity of 2,000 lbs. (907.2 kg) or less.

c.  Exemptions. All requirements of this chapter apply except as noted below:

(1)  Affixed A-frames or dredge-related operations, while performing anchor handling, are exempt from LHE operator training, physical requirements, and Naval Architectural Analysis (NAA).

(2)  Digger derricks used for utility pole installation.

(3)  Vehicle-mounted aerial devices (bucket trucks), vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms (aerial devices, lifts), and elevating aerial work platforms (AWPs).

(4)  Hydraulic excavators, wheeled, trackhoe or backhoe loaders used to hoist loads with rigging are exempt only from LHE operator training requirements (for example, crane operator certifications). Rigger qualifications still apply.

(5)  Powered industrial trucks (PIT’s) (forklifts, telehandlers) are exempt from crane operator certifications when configured to hoist and lower by a winch or hook and horizontally move a suspended (rigged) load.  Rigger qualifications still apply.

(6)  Machinery that hoists by using a come-along or chainfall, whether human, air, or electric powered, chain or wire rope type.

(7)  Operators of equipment with a maximum manufacturer-rated hoisting/lifting capacity of 2,000 lbs. (907.2 kg) or less are exempt from the operator qualification or certification requirements. Do not use this equipment to hoist personnel.

(8)  Operators of Class II hoisting equipment are exempt from medical requirements unless this equipment is used to hoist/lift personnel.

(9)  Dedicated drilling rigs.

(10)  Tree trimming and removal work.

(11)  Gin poles, when used for the erection of communication towers.

(12)  Helicopter cranes are exempt from paragraph 16-3.

(13)  Stacker cranes.

(14) Mechanic’s trucks with a hoisting device, when used in activities related to maintenance and repair.

(15)  Material Delivery.

(a)  Articulating/knuckle-boom truck cranes that deliver material to a construction site, when used to transfer materials from the truck crane to the ground without arranging the materials in a particular sequence for hoisting.

(b)  Articulating /knuckle-boom truck cranes that deliver material to a construction site when used to transfer building supply sheet goods or building supply packaged materials from the truck crane onto a structure, using a fork/cradle at the end of the boom, but only when the truck crane is equipped with a properly functioning automatic overload prevention device. Such sheet goods or packaged materials include but are not limited to sheets of sheet rock, sheets of plywood, bags of cement, sheets or packages of roofing shingles, and rolls of roofing felt.

(c-1)  The articulating crane is used to hold, support, or stabilize the material to facilitate a construction activity, such as holding material in place while it is attached to the structure.

(c-2)  The material being handled by the articulating crane is a prefabricated component. Prefabricated components include precast concrete members or panels, roof trusses (wooden, cold-formed metal, steel), prefabricated building sections floor panels, wall panels, roof panels, roof structures), and similar items.

(c-3)  The material being handled by the crane is a structural steel member (steel joists, beams, columns, steel decking (bundled or unbundled) or a component of a systems-engineered metal building).

(16) Rescue boat and lifeboat launch systems that are designated for launching rescue lifeboats and regulated by the USCG and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.

16-1. References.

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 16-1.

16-1. References.

a.  American Petroleum Institute (API) Specification 2C (https://www.api.org/products-and-services/standards/important-standards- announcements/spec2c) (16-1.a)

b.  ANSI/ASSE A10.22, Construction and Demolition Operations - Safety Requirements for Rope-Guided and Non-Guided Worker’s Hoists (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (16-1.b)

c.  AR 600-85, The Army Substance Abuse Program (https://armypubs.army.mil/ProductMaps/PubForm/AR.aspx)  (16-1.c)

d.  ASME B30, Safety Standard for Cableways, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Hooks, Jacks, and Slings (https://www.ansi.org) (16-1.d)

e.  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/national-registry-certified- medical-examiners-search)  (16-1.e)

f.  NFPA 70, National Electric Code
(https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards)  (16-1.f)

g.  29 CFR 1910.178, Powered Industrial Trucks (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol5/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol5- sec1910-178.pdf)  (16-1.g)

h.  29 CFR 1910.179, Overhead and Gantry Cranes (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol5/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol5- sec1910-179.pdf)  (16-1.h)

i.  29 CFR 1910.180, Crawler Locomotive and Truck Cranes (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol5/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol5- sec1910-180.pdf)  (16-1.i)

j.  29 CFR 1910.181, Derricks (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020- title29-vol5/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol5-sec1910-181.pdf)  (16-1.j)

k.  29 CFR 1910.183, Helicopters (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol5/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol5-sec1910-183.pdf)  (16-1.k)

l.  29 CFR 1926.551, Helicopters (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020- title29-vol8/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol8-sec1926-551.pdf)  (16-1.l)

m. 29 CFR 1926.603, Pile Driving Equipment (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol8/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol8- sec1926-603.pdf)  (16-1.m)

n.  29 CFR 1926, Subpart CC Cranes and Derricks in Construction (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol8/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol8- part1926-subpartCC.pdf)  (16-1.n)

o.  46 CFR 173, Special Rules Pertaining to Vessel Use (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title46-vol7/pdf/CFR-2020-title46-vol7- part173.pdf)  (16-1.o)

16-2. Definitions.

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 16-2.

16-2. Definitions.

a.  Articulating Boom Crane (also known as, knuckle boom crane).  A crane with two or more boom sections that pivot (articulate) by hydraulic cylinders.  The boom may have a telescoping section.  The crane can be stationary or mounted on a vehicle, track, locomotive) and is used to lift, swing, and lower loads.  (16-2.a)

b.  Boom. A member hinged to the superstructure of cranes and derricks and used for supporting hoisting tackle.  (16-2.b)

c.  Boom Angle.  The angle of the boom relative to horizontal.  (16-2.c)

d.  Boom Angle Indicator.  A device that measures the angle of the boom relative to the horizontal.  (16-2.d)

e.  Boom Stop. A device used to limit the angle of the boom from moving above a certain maximum angle and toppling over backward.  (16-2.e)

f.  Bridge.  The part of a gantry or overhead crane that carries the trolley(s). (16-2.f)

g.  Class I Crane/Hoist Types.   (16-2.g)

(1)  Fixed cab telescopic hydraulic mobile cranes.

(2)  Swing cab telescopic hydraulic mobile cranes.

(3)  Lattice boom, truck, or crawler cranes.

(4)  Cab-operated overhead, bridge, gantry, under hung and monorail cranes.

(5)  Pedestal cranes.

(6)  Remote-operated (wireless) overhead, bridge, gantry, under hung and monorail cranes over 30 ton (T) (27.2 metric ton (MT)) capacity.

(7)  Hammerhead cranes.

(8)  Portal cranes.

(9)  Tower cranes.

(10)  Post or stiff leg type derricks.

(11)  Spider cranes.

(12) Floating or barge mounted LHE, temporarily or permanently mounted, that requires a NAA floating load chart according to this chapter.

h.  Class II Crane/Hoist Types.  (16-2.h)

(1)  All hard-wired, pendant-mounted operated overhead, bridge, and gantry cranes.

(2)  Under hung.

(3)  Monorail.

(4)  Wall-mounted jib cranes.

(5)  Any remote-operated (wireless) overhead, bridge, gantry, under hung and monorail cranes 30T (27.2 MT) capacity or less.

i.  Competent Person (CP), Cranes and Rigging.  A person designated in writing by the employer to be responsible for the immediate supervision, implementation, and monitoring of the Crane and Rigging Program.  Must have sufficient training, knowledge, and experience in crane(s) and rigging and be capable of identifying, evaluating, and addressing existing and potential hazards and must have the authority to take prompt corrective measures with regard to such hazards.  The term “Competent Person” (CP), as used in this chapter, refers to “Competent Person, Cranes and Rigging”.

j.  Critical Lift. A non-routine crane lift requiring detailed planning and additional or unusual safety precautions.  The following lifts are defined as critical lifts and require detailed planning and added safety precautions.

(1)  Lifts involving HAZMAT (for example, explosives, highly volatile substances).

(2)  Hoisting personnel with LHE.

(3)  Lifts made with more than one LHE.

(4)  Lifts where the center of gravity (CG) could change.

(5)  Lifts that exceed 75% of the load chart of the LHE during construction work.

(6)  Lifts without the use of outriggers using rubber tire load charts.

(7)  Lifts using more than one hoist on the same LHE.

(8)  Lifts involving MLR assemblies or other non-routine or technically difficult rigging arrangements.

(9)  Lifts involving submerged loads.

Note. Exception. Lifts that are engineered to travel in guided slots throughout the lift and have fixed rigging and/or lifting beams (for example, intake gates, tailgates/logs) are not considered critical lifts.

Note. Exception. Affixed A-frames or dredge-related operations, while performing tasks that the equipment was specifically designed to do, are exempt from critical lift requirements.

(10)  Lifts out of the operator’s view.

Note. Exception. If hand signals are used by a signal person in view of the operator or radio communications are available and in use, the load does not exceed 2T (1.8MT), and it is determined a routine lift by the lift director, then it is not considered a critical lift.

(11)  Load tests.

(12) When land based LHE mounted on barges, pontoons, or other means of flotation are required to travel while lifting the load.

(13)  When two or more tower cranes are set up in the same operating envelope.

(14)  Any lift the operator, lift director, supervisor, or employer believes should be considered critical.

k.  Derrick.  An apparatus consisting of a mast or equivalent member held at the end by guys or braces, with or without a boom, for use with a hoisting mechanism and operating ropes.

l.  Design Load. The maximum intended load, that is, the total of all loads including the worker(s), material, and the equipment placed on the unit.  (16-2.l)

m.  Jib.  On hammerhead cranes, the horizontal structural member attached to the rotating superstructure of a crane and upon which the load trolley travels.  On mobile cranes, an extension attached to the boom to provide added boom length for lifting specified loads.  (16-2.m)

n.  Lift Director.  The person designated to direct the load handling activity.  They must have a thorough knowledge of safety procedures for the crane, rigging, employee conduct, and be both a CP and a QP working with the specific LHE being used.  The person may be the crane operator or another individual.  (16-2.n)

o.  Load Handling Equipment (LHE).  A term used to describe cranes, hoists, and all other hoisting equipment (hoisting equipment means equipment, including excavators or forklifts, used with rigging to hoist and move a load).  (16-2.o)
p.  Load Indicator. A device that measures the weight of the load.  (16-2.p)

q.  Load Moment Indicator (LMI) (rated capacity indicator).  A device that indicates the bending moment on a crane by measuring both the load on a boom and the horizontal distance from the load (boom point) to the crane’s axis of rotation.  LMI are often equipped with warning devices or disengaging devices that are actuated before a crane is overloaded. (16-2.q)

r.  Operating Envelope.  The area surrounding any crane.  Inside this "envelope" is the crane, the 360-degree area up to the crane’s maximum working radius, the
operator, riggers, and crane walkers, rigging gear between the hook and the load, the load and the crane's supporting structure (for example, ground, rail).  (16-2.r)

s.  Operational Test.  A test to evaluate if the crane is operating properly and its ability to safely lift loads within its performance rating.  The test includes operational performance tests and load performance tests.  (16-2.s)

t.  Qualified Person (QP).  See paragraphs 1-2 or 2-2, as applicable. (16-2.t)

u.  Rated Load. The maximum allowable working load established by the rigging equipment manufacturer.  The terms “rated capacity” and “working load limit (WLL)” are commonly used to describe rated load.  (16-2.u)

v.  Registered Professional Engineer (RPE).  See paragraphs 1-2 or 2-2, as applicable.  (16-2.v)

w.  Two-Block Damage Prevention Device (also known as anti-two blocking (A2B). A system that stops the current function so that a hoist rope or crane machinery components are not damaged.  (16-2.w)

x.  Two-Block/A2B Warning Device.  A warning device to alert the operator of an impending two blocking condition.  (16-2.x)

y.  Working Load.  The external load applied to the crane or derrick, including the weight of load-attaching equipment such as load blocks, shackles, and slings.  (16-2.y)