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OSHA Clarifies Knuckle-Boom Truck Crane Regulations
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OSHA clarifies whether an articulating knuckle-boom truck crane is covered by the cranes and derricks construction standard
In an interpretation letter dated June 23, 2016, OSHA clarified that when using an articulating knuckle-boom truck crane equipped with an automatic overload prevention device to hoist packaged building materials stored on pallets supported underneath by forks or a cradle attached to a boom of a truck crane from the bed of a truck, to be unloaded at elevation, the activity is regulated under the cranes and derricks construction standard.
The use of an articulating knuckle-boom truck crane is only excluded from the crane standard when it is used to perform an activity that is not integral to a construction activity; or when: its forks/cradles are directly attached to the boom (not suspended from the boom by a load line); it is equipped with a properly functioning automatic overload prevention device; and it is used to deliver sheet goods or packaged material. When loads are hoisted from the bed of a truck and placed on the ground without arranging the materials in any particular sequence for hoisting; or set on an elevated area of a structure prior to being unpacked or unloaded from pallets, the general industry standard, not the construction standard, applies.
However, if the equipment holds, supports, or stabilizes building materials at elevated work areas of a structure to facilitate the construction activity, the use of the crane would be regulated under the construction crane standard. This might occur when it is safer for employees to unpack or unload the pallets at elevated work areas while the crane is holding, supporting, or stabilizing the materials.
Sources :
OSHA, Letter of interpretation, Whether unloading a pallet suspended by a crane is considered construction.[1926.1400(c)(17)], June 23, 2016 If you liked this article, here are a few more you might enjoy, too: Scope of Cranes and Derricks in Construction Standard Clarified (US) OSHA Finalizes New Confined Spaces in Construction Rule (US)Our EHS experts are happy to answer any questions you have.
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