N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 12 §§ 23-8.1

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 50, December 11, 2024

Section 23-8.1 - General provisions

(a) Stability and strength. Mobile cranes, tower cranes and derricks used in construction, demolition and excavation operations shall be so constructed, placed and operated as to be stable. No component or part of any such crane or derrick shall be stressed beyond its rated capacity as determined by the manufacturer or builder.

(b) Inspection.

(1) Every mobile crane, tower crane and derrick shall be thoroughly inspected by a competent, designated employee or authorized agent of the owner or lessee of such mobile crane, tower crane or derrick at intervals not exceeding one month. Such inspections shall include but not be limited to all blocks, shackles, sheaves, wire rope, connectors, the various devices on the mast or boom, hooks, controls and braking mechanisms.

(2) A written, dated and signed record of each such inspection shall be completed by the competent, designated employee or authorized agent who made the inspection on an inspection form provided by the commissioner. The most recent record of inspection of a moble crane, tower crane or derrick shall be posted inside the cab of such crane or derrick under a transparent protective covering or shall be filed in an office on the job site available for examination by the commissioner. Attached to such record of inspection shall be a written designation naming the competent employee or authorized agent. Such attached designation shall be signed by the owner or lessee of such mobile crane, tower crane or derrick.

(3) Every mobile crane, tower crane and derrick shall be inspected before being erected or operated for the first time on any job.

(4) Adjustments and repairs to mobile cranes, tower cranes and derricks shall be made only by competent, designated persons.

(5) A preventive maintenance program shall be established for each mobile crane, tower crane and derrick based on the manufacturer's recommendations. Dated and detailed records of such programs shall be available on the job site for examination by the commissioner.

(c) Footings. A firm footing shall be provided for every mobile crane, tower crane and derrick.

(d) Hoisting mechanism brakes and locking devices.

(1) Every power-operated mobile crane, tower crane and derrick shall be provided with hoisting mechanism brakes capable of sustaining at rest one and one-half times the maximum rated load on a single part line. Hand or foot operated brakes shall be provided with a substantial locking device to lock any such brake in engagement. Pedals of foot-operated brakes shall be constructed so that the operators' feet cannot easily slip off. Nonslip pedal surfaces are acceptable for this purpose.

(2) Power-controlled lowering devices, when provided, shall be capable of handling rated loads and speeds in order to provide precision lowering and reduce demands on the brake loads.

Exception:This paragraph does not apply to any mobile crane provided with a clamshell or dragline used in excavation operations.

(3) Electrically-driven mobile cranes, tower cranes and derricks shall be provided with devices which will automatically hold the loads in cases of power failure.

(e) Load handling.

(1) Mobile cranes, tower cranes and derricks shall not be loaded beyond their rated capacities.

(2) Hoisting ropes for concrete buckets used with mobile cranes, tower cranes or derricks shall be provided with safety hooks or closed shackles.

(3) Where slings are used to hoist material of long length, spreader bars shall be used to space and keep the sling legs in proper balance.

(4) Reinforcing rods, conduit and lumber, when of uneven lengths as well as column clamps and similar items which cannot be easily secured to form safe drafts or loads shall be hoisted in boxes. Each such box shall be substantially constructed and supported from its four corners by individual lengths of wire rope having spliced or clipped loops for attachment to the load line. The construction and suspension of each such box shall be capable of holding at least four times the load for which it is intended.

(5) In steel erection, when a load is suspended from a mobile crane, tower crane or derrick at two or more points with slings, the eyes of the lifting legs of the slings shall be shackled together and this shackle or the eyes of the shackled slings shall be placed on the hook. Alternatively, the eyes of the lifting legs may be shackled directly to the hoisting block, ball or balance beam. The eyes may be placed on the lifting hook without shackles if the hook is of the safety type.

(6) No more than one load shall be suspended from the same load line of a mobile crane, tower crane or derrick at one time.

(f) Hoisting the load.

(1) Before starting to hoist with a mobile crane, tower crane or derrick the following inspection for unsafe conditions shall be made:

(i) The hoisting rope shall be free from kinks.

(ii) Multiple part lines shall not be twisted around each other.

(iii) The hook shall be brought over the load in such manner and location as to prevent the load from swinging when hoisting is started.

(iv) The load is well secured and properly balanced in the sling or lifting device before it is lifted more than a few inches.

(v) If there is a slack rope condition, it shall be determined that the hosting rope is properly seated on the drum and in the sheaves.

(2) During the hoisting operation the following conditions shall be met:

(i) There shall be no sudden acceleration or deceleration of the moving load unless required by emergency conditions.

(ii) The load shall not contact any obstruction.

(3) The side loading of booms on mobile cranes, tower cranes and derricks shall be limited to freely suspended loads.

(4) Mobile cranes, tower cranes and derricks shall not be used for dragging loads sideways.

(5) Mobile cranes, tower cranes and derricks shall not hoist, lower, swing or travel while any person is located on the load or hook.

(6) Mobile cranes, tower cranes and derricks shall not hoist or carry any load over and above any person except as otherwise provided in this Part (rule).

(7) The operator of any mobile crane, tower crane or derrick shall not leave his position at the controls while any load is suspended nor shall any person be permitted to work or pass under a stationary suspended load.

(g) Limitations on modifications of mobile cranes, tower cranes or derricks. No load-bearing component or part of any mobile crane, tower crane or power-driven derrick shall be replaced by another component or part nor shall any mobile crane, tower crane or derrick be modified by the addition thereto or the removal therefrom of any load-bearing component or part unless such replacement or modification shall be as certified by either the manufacturer or builder of such crane or derrick or by a professional engineer licensed to practice in the State of New York.

(h) Cast iron. Cast iron shall not be used for members or parts of any mobile crane, tower crane or derrick subject to tension or torsion except for brake and clutch drums.

(i) Guarding moving parts. Exposed moving components or parts of mobile cranes, tower cranes and derricks such as gears, set screws, projection keys, chains, chain sprockets and reciprocating parts which might constitute a hazard under normal operating conditions shall be guarded and such guards shall be securely fastened in place. Each such guard shall be capable of supporting without permanent distortion the weight of a 200 pound man, unless such guard is located where it is impossible for a person to step or ply his weight on it.

(j) Protection from the elements. Friction brakes and clutches of mobile cranes, tower cranes and derricks shall be provided with adequate protection from the elements.

(k) Wire ropes and reeving accessories.

(1) Rope safety factors. Wire rope provided for use on any mobile crane, tower crane or derrick shall be in compliance with the safety factor requirements listed as follows:

(i) For supporting rated loads (including boom suspensions):

(a) The safety factor for live or running ropes that wind on drums or pass over sheaves shall be not less than 3.5.

(b) The safety factor for boom pendants or standing ropes shall be not less than 3.0.

(ii) For supporting the boom and working attachments at recommended travel or transit positions and boom lengths:

(a) The safety factor for live or running ropes shall be not less than 3.5.

(b) The safety factor for boom pendants and standing ropes shall be not less than 3.0.

(iii) For supporting the boom under recommended boom erection conditions:

(a) The safety factor for live or running ropes shall be not less than 3.0.

(b) The safety factor for boom pendants or standing ropes shall be not less than 2.5.

(iv) The safety factors specified in subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above shall be determined on the basis of rope loads resulting from crane or derrick manufacturers' ratings, with approved reeving, published nominal breaking strengths of new ropes and with load and boom stationary.

(2) Hoisting rope. When the hook of the hoist of any mobile crane, tower crane or derrick is resting on the ground or equivalent elevation at least two full wraps of the hoisting rope shall remain on the drum of such crane or derrick.

(3) Replacement rope. Replacement ropes for any mobile crane, tower crane or derrick shall be at least the equivalent in strength and grade as the original ropes furnished by the manufacturer or builder of such crane or derrick.

(4) Eye splices. Eye splices shall be made in an acceptable manner and rope thimbles shall be used in the eye.

(5) U-bolt clips. U-bolt clips shall have the U-bolt section on the dead or short end, and the saddle on the live or long end of the rope. Spacing and number of clips shall be in accordance with manufacturer's recommendation. Clips shall be of drop-forged steel. When a newly installed rope has been in operation for at least one hour, all nuts on the clip bolts shall be re-tightened and they shall be re-checked for tightness at monthly intervals thereafter.

(6) Special fittings. Swaged, compressed or wedge-socket fittings shall be applied as recommended by the manufacturer of the rope or fittings or by the manufacturer or builder of the mobile crane, tower crane or derrick.

(7) Rope inspection.

(i) Daily. All running ropes in continuous service on a mobile crane, tower crane or derrick shall be visually inspected at least once every working day.

(ii) Monthly. All ropes in use on a mobile crane, tower crane or derrick shall be thoroughly inspected by a competent, designated person at least once a month. A full written, dated and signed report of each such inspection, which shall include the condition of all ropes, shall be kept on file on the job site available for examination by the commissioner. Any rope damage or deterioration which might result in appreciable loss of original rope strength shall be carefully noted and a determination shall be made by the designated person as to whether continued use of such damaged or deteriorated rope constitutes a hazard.

(l) Lubrication.

(1) Sheave bearings. All sheave bearings on mobile cranes, tower cranes and derricks shall be regularly lubricated according to the recommendations of the manufacturers or builders of such cranes or derricks.

(2) Moving parts. All moving parts of mobile cranes, tower cranes and derricks for which lubrication is specified, including ropes and chains, shall be regularly lubricated. Lubricating systems shall be frequently checked for proper delivery of the lubricant. Lubricating points shall be accessible without moving guards or other parts.

(m) Operation near power lines. The operation of any mobile crane, tower crane or derrick near or around any power line or power facility shall be done only in accordance with the provisions of Subpart 23-1 of this Part (rule).

(n) Use of mobile cranes in concrete work. In building construction where concrete is raised by mobile cranes, such loads raised to elevations more than 150 feet shall be deposited or discharged only in hoppers or other appropriate facilities which are so located as to permit operation of the boom of any such crane at a minimum load radius.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 12 §§ 23-8.1