820 Cranes and Derricks Safety I

Use Protective Procedures

The procedures required by the standard and any additional procedures developed at the planning meeting must be followed.

The following procedures are required by the standard and must be followed without exception:

• If the power line is equipped with a device that automatically re-energizes the circuit in the event of a power line contact, before the work begins, the automatic reclosing feature of the circuit interrupting device must be made inoperative if the design of the device permits.
• A dedicated spotter who is in continuous contact with the operator must be used to ensure the equipment does not breach the minimum clearance. The requirements for a dedicated spotter are discussed above.
• An elevated warning line, or barricade (not attached to the crane), in view of the operator (either directly or through video equipment), equipped with flags or similar high-visibility markings, must be erected.

• An insulating link/device must be installed at a point between the end of the load line (or below) and the load. Note: certain safety procedures or devices may be substituted for a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory-approved insulating link during an interim period. Refer to Standard 1926.1410(d)(4)(iv) and (v) of the standard for details.
• All employees who may come in contact with the equipment, the load line, or the load (except operators located on the equipment) must be insulated or guarded by wearing insulating gloves rated for the voltage involved or using another effective means of insulating them from the equipment.

• Barricades forming a perimeter at least 10 feet away from the equipment must be erected to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering the work area. In areas where obstacles prevent the barricade from being at least 10 feet away, the barricade must be as far from the equipment as feasible.
• Workers other than the operator must be prohibited from touching the load line above the insulating link/device and crane. The operator is excluded from this requirement because while, on the equipment, the operator is, in effect, touching the load line above the insulating link/device. However, if the operator is remotely operating the equipment from the ground, he/she must use either wireless controls that isolate the operator from the equipment or insulating mats that insulate the operator from the ground.
• Only personnel essential to the operation are permitted in the area of the crane and load.
• The equipment must be properly grounded.
• Insulating line hose or cover-up must be installed by the utility owner/operator except where such devices are unavailable for the line voltages involved.
• Each operator and crew member assigned to work with the equipment must be trained in the topics listed earlier in this section.

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