Safety Devices
OSHA 1926.1415 requires cranes/derricks be equipped with certain types of safety devices. Safety devices must be in proper working order for the equipment to be permitted to operate.
The following safety devices are required on all equipment unless otherwise specified:
- crane level indicator (except on portal cranes, derricks, floating cranes/derricks and land cranes/derricks on barges, pontoons, vessels or other means of flotation),
- boom stops (except for derricks and hydraulic booms),
- jib stops (if a jib is attached), except for derricks,
- locks on foot pedal brakes,
- integral holding device/check valve on hydraulic outrigger jacks and hydraulic stabilizer jacks,
- rail clamps and rail stops for equipment on rails (except portal cranes), and
- horn (both built into or on the equipment and immediately available to the operator).
Operational Aids
OSHA 1926.1416 covers requirements for operational aids.
If an operational aid is not working properly, the equipment may still be operated for a limited time as long as certain alternative precautions are taken. These are divided into two categories that differ in the amount of time the equipment may operate before they are repaired.
Category I aids must be repaired within seven calendar days after a deficiency occurs while equipment may operate for 30 calendar days before a Category II aid is repaired. In both cases, additional time is permitted if, a necessary part is ordered in a timely manner but is not received within the 7- or 30-day period.
Certain operational aids are only required on equipment manufactured after a specified date. In some cases, these are past dates that reflect when these devices began to be installed on equipment. In other cases, they are future dates that are intended to give manufacturers time to install the devices on new equipment.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
6-6. Which one of the following is considered a safety device?
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