Mobile Crane Safety Management Guide Published by SC&RA

by ITI Marketing March 11, 2016

The Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) has released the new Guide to Mobile Crane Safety Management. Published to fortify SC&RA’s ongoing efforts to reduce crane and lifting accidents, this 104-page book reflects substantial changes in tools, technologies and perspectives over the last two decades. Among developments covered are those resulting from new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules and updated standards such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B30.5 – Mobile and Locomotive Cranes.

SC&RA’s Guide to Mobile Crane Safety Management was written by Ronald Kohner, P.E. and Robert Hontz. Both have over 40 years professional experience who have written extensively on crane and lifting safety throughout their careers.

On the book's release, Mr. Kohner commented that, "The crane and lifting industry has been blessed with an abundance of literature focused on the safe use of the crane and rigging hardware that is essential to everyday lifting work. These texts largely provide the detail for class and seminar discussions which present field workers with a basis for safe working practices. What has been largely absent in the industry is parallel literature that addresses good practice in MANAGING crane use. While blue collar workers are focused on the risks of hands-on, everyday efforts, engineering and supervisory personnel often have no concept of the broader risks associated the lifting work performed with cranes of all sizes. The SC&RA Guide to Mobile Crane Safety Management fills this gap by delineating the associated risks then presenting systems which have proven effective in mitigating those risks to maximize safety."

Chapters in the new publication cover:

Risk – Risk management issues of equipment, personnel and procedures; failure modes and causes; and a risk matrix
Lift classification – Criteria for critical lift, intermediate lift and standard lift, as well as risk mitigation tools for different lift categories
Lift Planning – Site factors, including overhead obstructions, underground facilities, crane set-up area, at-grade obstructions, logistics, drawing and bridges; load issues, including weight accuracy; gross vs. net weights; load dimensions and center of gravity; crane selection, focusing on crane load ratings, crane location, radius, boom length, and crane configuration; clearances; and load manipulations; contingency planning; rigging plan; levels of personal involvement; change management; and lift plan documentation and review
Jobsite Issues – Roles and responsibilities; equipment inspection for cranes and rigging; maintenance; crane assembly, disassembly and configuration changes; operational aids; safety devices; crane movement, including relocation and pick & carry operations; crane foundations, including general concepts, crane loading, mats and plates and foundation verification; best practices involving crane assembly/disassembly, crane set up, crane operation, rigging, and crane shutdown and security; hazard awareness; load testing; weather factors, including wind, rain and thunderstorms, cold weather and visibility limitations; and field audits

Also included are a number of useful appendices, including a shift/daily/monthly checklist; SC&RA’s annual checklists for lattice boom cranes and for telescopic boom cranes; operating in the twilight zone of crane capacities; personnel hoisting; glossary; lift planning checklist and additional resources.

The Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SC&RA) is an international trade association of more than 1,300 members from 46 nations. Members are involved in specialized transportation, machinery moving and erecting, industrial maintenance, millwrighting and crane and rigging operations, manufacturing and rental. SC&RA helps members run more efficient and safer businesses by monitoring and affecting pending legislation and regulatory policies at the state and national levels; researching and reporting on safety concerns and best business practices; and providing four yearly forums where these and other relevant member issues can be advanced.

The Guide to Mobile Crane Safety Management is available at the ITI Bookstore for $199.