Cranes Used For Construction Activities

Hazards at construction sites can change quickly, putting employees who operate cranes or work around them at high risk for serious injuries, and even death.

Electrocution, falls, moving machinery, excavations, and overhead loads are examples of a few common hazards that can plague rigging and other activities involving cranes. 

Ensuring that equipment and personnel meet certification and other safety requirements helps employers prevent accidents and ensure that everyone goes home safely at the end of a long day.

If rigging at construction sites is not associated with cranes, see the Rigging webpage for applicable rules and resources.

Rules for rigging personnel lifting

• Chapter 296-155, Part L WAC.
• Questions & Answers about the rule updates.

Rules for certification requirements

• The crane certifier requirements (WAC 296-155-531 through WAC 296-155-53112) are in effect to accredit crane certifiers. 
• Crane operator qualifications and certification.
• Summary of L&I's proposed crane rules compared with OSHA's (163 KB PDF).
• Construction Rule Activity Page.

Policies

• DD 7.00 - Rolling Outriggers on Mobile Cranes (153 KB PDF)
• DD 8.60 - Enforcement Policy for Construction Crane Certification and Crane Operator Qualifications and Certification Under WAC 296-155-529 through 53300 (111 KB PDF)
• DD 8.80 — Auditing Accredited Crane Certifiers (146 KB PDF).
• DD 29.72 - Tag Line Use (146 KB PDF).

Fatalities

• Electrocution — Mobile Crane Contacts Power Lines.
• Tree trimmer dies after falling from crane hook (903 KB PDF)
• Worker Killed When Struck by Suspended Crane Load (78 KB PDF).
• SHARP (FACE) Crane Operator Falls While Descending Crane (62 KB PDF).
• SHARP (FACE) Construction Laborer Struck by Headache Ball (27 KB PDF).

Hazard alerts

• Deadly Power-Line Contact with Cranes (274 KB PDF).

DVDs and videos

• Crane Safety Videos.
• Rigging Safety.

Other resources

• Rigging, Signals, Power Line Safety & Assembly / Disassembly in Construction (7.6 MB PPT / 22 min.) — A PowerPoint presentation that discusses the rule changes.
• SHARP (FACE Report) Construction Machinery Fatalities, WA State, 1998 – 2008 (862 KB PDF).
• Forms and Publications.
• OSHA Construction eTool — Cranes & Power Line Safety.
• OSHA Final Rule for Cranes and Derricks in Construction.
• OSHA Safety and Health Topics for Crane, Derrick, and Hoist.
• Tower Crane Electrical Safety Requirements (140 KB PDF).

Crane Operator Qualification Resources

• Declaration of Operator Hours and Experience (69 KB DOC).
• Crane Operator Training Facilities (133 KB PDF).
• DD 8.60 - Enforcement Policy for Construction Crane Certification and Crane Operator Qualifications and Certification Under WAC 296-155-529 through 53300 (111 KB PDF)
• National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO).
• National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER).
• Crane Institute Certification (CIC).
• Operating Engineers Certification Program.
• OSHA E-tool  for Cranes.

Construction Crane Certifier Accreditation

Handbook for Construction Crane Certifier Candidates (92 KB PDF).

Application for Accreditation (F416-063-000).

• Chapter 296-155, Part L WAC.
• DD 8.60 - Enforcement Policy for Construction Crane Certification and Crane Operator Qualifications and Certification Under WAC 296-155-529 through 53300 (111 KB PDF)
• List of Construction Crane Certifier Companies.

Properly completed worksheet examples

• Overhead Crane Bridge Example 416-141-000 (157 KB PDF).
• Construction Tower Crane Worksheet Example 416-044-000 (156 KB PDF).
• Construction Mobile Crane Worksheet Example 416-043-000 (195 KB PDF).
• Construction Cranes Notice of Deficiencies Example 416-054-000 (137 KB PDF).

Fillable worksheets

• Mobile Cranes/Derricks Worksheet (F416-043-000).
• Notice of Deficiencies Form (F416-054-000).
• Overhead Crane Bridge, Monorail, Gantry Worksheet for Construction (F416-141-000).
• Tower Crane Worksheet (F416-044-000).