12 Aug Crane / Rigging Operations – JSA

Crane / Rigging Operations Job Safety Analysis (JSA)

Job / Task

Planning, setup, inspection, rigging, lifting, moving, positioning, and landing loads using cranes, hoists, rigging equipment, and associated lifting devices.

Purpose

This Job Safety Analysis (JSA), also known as a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), identifies hazards associated with crane and rigging operations and establishes controls to prevent struck-by, caught-between, dropped-load, tip-over, electrical, rigging, and other lifting-related incidents.

Personnel Qualifications

Crane and rigging operations shall be performed only by personnel who are trained, qualified, and authorized for their assigned duties. Operators, riggers, signal persons, and other employees shall understand their responsibilities and the hazards associated with the lift.

Personnel shall:

• Use only equipment and rigging for which they are trained and authorized.
• Understand the load, lifting equipment, rigging arrangement, communication method, and work area.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and applicable site lifting procedures.
• Stop the lift when an unsafe condition or uncertainty exists.
• Maintain clear communication between the operator, signal person, riggers, and other affected personnel.

Required PPE

PPE shall be selected based on the lifting operation and work environment and may include:

• Safety helmet or hard hat.
• Safety glasses with side protection.
• High-visibility clothing when required by the work area.
• Safety footwear with appropriate toe and sole protection.
• Work gloves appropriate for handling rigging and materials.
• Hearing protection where required.
• Fall protection when working at an elevated location and required by the applicable work practices.

PPE shall supplement, not replace, safe lifting practices, exclusion zones, equipment controls, and proper rigging.

JSA – Job Steps, Hazards, and Controls

Step 1 – Plan the Lift

Potential Hazards

• Dropped or uncontrolled load.
• Crane overload.
• Tip-over.
• Contact with structures or power lines.
• Inadequate lifting capacity.
• Poor communication.

Required Controls

• Determine the load weight, dimensions, center of gravity, and lifting points.
• Select a crane or lifting device with adequate capacity for the planned configuration and conditions.
• Review the lift path, landing area, ground conditions, overhead obstructions, power lines, weather, and surrounding work.
• Determine required rigging, lifting accessories, personnel, signal method, and exclusion zones.
• Conduct a lift plan or pre-lift meeting when required by the complexity or site procedure.
• Identify critical or unusual conditions before starting the lift.

Step 2 – Inspect the Crane and Lifting Equipment

Potential Hazards

• Equipment failure.
• Structural failure.
• Brake or control failure.
• Dropped load.

Required Controls

• Complete the required pre-use inspection of the crane or lifting equipment.
• Inspect hooks, latches, wire rope, chains, controls, brakes, outriggers, tires or tracks, safety devices, and other applicable components.
• Remove defective equipment from service and report deficiencies.
• Verify required inspections and maintenance are current.
• Do not operate equipment with a known condition that could affect safe operation.

Step 3 – Inspect Rigging Equipment

Potential Hazards

• Sling failure.
• Shackle or hook failure.
• Load shift.
• Dropped load.
• Hand injuries.

Required Controls

• Inspect slings, shackles, hooks, spreader bars, lifting beams, wire rope, chain, synthetic webbing, and other rigging before use.
• Verify identification and rated capacity are legible and appropriate for the planned load and configuration.
• Check for cuts, abrasion, broken wires, deformation, corrosion, heat damage, chemical damage, stretched links, damaged fittings, or other defects.
• Remove damaged or questionable rigging from service.
• Protect synthetic slings from sharp edges and abrasion.
• Use rigging only within its rated capacity and intended application.

Step 4 – Prepare the Crane Setup Area

Potential Hazards

• Crane tip-over.
• Ground failure.
• Struck-by incidents.
• Contact with utilities.
• Unstable setup.

Required Controls

• Verify the ground or supporting surface is suitable for the planned load and crane configuration.
• Position the crane according to the manufacturer’s requirements and site lift plan.
• Properly deploy outriggers, stabilizers, mats, cribbing, or other supports when required.
• Maintain required clearance from excavations, slopes, underground structures, and other hazards.
• Establish barriers and an exclusion zone around the lifting area.
• Control vehicle and pedestrian traffic around the crane.

Step 5 – Address Overhead Power Lines and Other Obstructions

Potential Hazards

• Arc flash.
• Crane or load contact.
• Property damage.

Required Controls

• Identify overhead power lines and other overhead hazards before the lift.
• Maintain required clearance distances from energized lines.
• Use a qualified person, spotter, barricades, or other controls as required.
• Do not rely solely on the operator’s ability to judge clearance.
• Control the load path so the load, rigging, boom, and equipment do not enter prohibited areas.
• Stop work if clearance cannot be maintained.

Step 6 – Attach and Rig the Load

Potential Hazards

• Pinched fingers.
• Improper sling angle.
• Load shift.
• Rigging failure.
• Dropped load.

Required Controls

• Verify the load weight and lifting points before attaching rigging.
• Select slings and hardware appropriate for the load and lifting configuration.
• Inspect hooks and ensure safety latches are properly positioned when required.
• Keep hands and feet clear of pinch points while connecting rigging.
• Protect slings from sharp edges and use appropriate edge protection.
• Center the load as practicable and account for the center of gravity.
• Ensure the rigging arrangement prevents unintended load movement.

Step 7 – Establish Communication and Signal Control

Potential Hazards

• Miscommunication
• Unexpected movement.
• Personnel struck by load or equipment.

Required Controls

• Establish one designated signal person when required.
• Use standardized hand signals or an agreed communication method.
• Ensure the operator can clearly receive and understand signals.
• Use radio communication when direct communication is not practical and verify radio function before lifting.
• The operator shall stop the operation when a signal is unclear or communication is lost.
• Any employee may give an emergency stop signal, and the operator shall respond appropriately.

Step 8 – Perform a Test Lift

Potential Hazards

• Load shift.
• Rigging failure.
• Unbalanced load.
• Unexpected movement.

Required Controls

• Lift the load only a short distance initially to verify balance, rigging, stability, and equipment response.
• Stop the lift if the load shifts, tilts, slips, or behaves unexpectedly.
• Lower and correct the rigging when necessary before continuing.
• Keep personnel clear of the suspended load during the test and subsequent lift.

Step 9 – Lift and Move the Load

Potential Hazards

• Dropped load.
• Swinging load.
• Struck-by or caught-between injuries.
• Crane overload.
• Contact with structures or people.

Required Controls

• Lift smoothly and avoid sudden starts, stops, or side loading.
• Keep the load as low as practicable while traveling or positioning when conditions allow.
• Maintain the planned load path and exclusion zone.
• Never allow personnel to stand or work beneath a suspended load unless a specific procedure and safe system permits it.
• Use tag lines when appropriate and safe to control load rotation or movement.
• Do not drag, side-pull, or use the crane for purposes not permitted by the equipment or lift plan.
• Monitor crane stability, capacity, weather, and changing conditions throughout the lift.

Step 10 – Position and Land the Load

Potential Hazards

• Pinch points.
• Load collapse.
• Unexpected movement.
• Foot injuries.
• Damaged load or structure.

Required Controls

• Prepare the landing area before the load is moved into position.
• Keep personnel out of pinch points and between the load and fixed objects.
• Use appropriate blocking, cribbing, or supports to prevent the load from shifting or rolling.
• Lower the load slowly and maintain control until it is fully supported.
• Do not place hands or feet beneath a suspended load or between the load and its support.
• Release rigging only after the load is stable.

Step 11 – Disconnect Rigging

Potential Hazards

• Dropped load.
• Rigging recoil or tension release.
• Pinch points.
• Hand injuries.

Required Controls

• Confirm the load is fully supported and stable before removing rigging.
• Release tension carefully and keep personnel clear of potential movement.
• Do not pull rigging from beneath a load where doing so could cause movement or damage.
• Inspect rigging after use and remove defective equipment from service.
• Store rigging to prevent damage and unauthorized use.

Step 12 – Shut Down and Secure the Equipment

Potential Hazards

• Unauthorized operation.
• Equipment movement.
• Weather-related damage.
• Residual hazards.

Required Controls

• Park or secure the crane according to manufacturer instructions and site requirements.
• Lower or secure boom and attachments as required.
• Place controls in the proper shutdown position.
• Secure hooks, rigging, and accessories.
• Stow or remove rigging from the work area.
• Maintain barriers until the lifting area is safe for normal access.
• Report equipment deficiencies or incidents.

Suspended Load and Exclusion-Zone Requirements

• Keep personnel clear of suspended loads and the load path.
• Establish and maintain a controlled area around lifting operations.
• Do not permit unauthorized personnel to enter the lifting zone.
• Never use a suspended load to move or restrain personnel.
• Do not allow personnel to place themselves between a suspended load and a fixed object.
• Use tag lines when appropriate and when their use does not create an additional hazard.
• Stop the lift if personnel enter a hazardous area.

Weather and Environmental Conditions

Lifting operations shall be evaluated for changing weather and environmental conditions.

• Do not operate when wind, lightning, visibility, temperature, or other conditions exceed equipment limitations or create an unsafe condition.
• Account for wind loading on large or suspended loads.
• Use additional controls when rain, ice, mud, dust, or poor visibility affects footing, crane stability, communication, or load control.
• Stop work when conditions cannot be safely controlled.
• Follow the crane manufacturer’s operating limitations and site requirements.

Prohibited Practices

• Operate a crane or lifting device without required training or authorization.
• Exceed the rated capacity or applicable load chart limits.
• Use damaged, defective, or unidentified rigging.
• Stand or work beneath a suspended load.
• Allow personnel to ride on a suspended load, hook, or rigging unless specifically permitted by an applicable safe work procedure.
• Side-load, drag, or pull loads unless specifically permitted by the equipment and procedure.
• Use a crane or rigging arrangement for a purpose for which it was not designed.
• Operate when required communication is lost or signals are unclear.
• Lift loads with unknown weight or center of gravity when safe lifting capacity cannot be established.
• Continue a lift when ground conditions, weather, power-line clearance, or equipment conditions become unsafe.
• Leave a suspended load unattended.

Emergency Procedures

In the event of a dropped load, crane instability, rigging failure, electrical contact, equipment malfunction, or other lifting emergency:

1. Stop the lifting operation immediately and keep personnel away from the hazard area.
2. Do not approach a suspended, unstable, or energized load until the hazard has been controlled.
3. If electrical contact occurs, keep personnel away and do not touch the crane or load until the electrical hazard has been safely addressed.
4. Activate the site emergency response process and obtain emergency assistance when necessary.
5. Provide first aid within the limits of training after the area has been made safe.
6. Secure the equipment and affected area to prevent additional injury or property damage.
7. Report the incident or near miss.
8. Do not resume lifting until the cause has been evaluated and required corrective actions are complete.

Training Requirements

Employees involved in crane and rigging operations shall receive training appropriate to their assigned duties.

Training shall address:

• Crane and lifting hazards.
• Operator responsibilities and equipment limitations.
• Rigging inspection and selection.
• Rated capacities and load-handling limitations.
• Sling configurations and effects of sling angles.
• Signal person communication and emergency stop signals.
• Suspended-load and exclusion-zone controls.
• Overhead power-line hazards.
• Ground conditions and crane stability.
• PPE and safe work practices.
• Emergency procedures and incident reporting.

Additional training shall be provided when employees are assigned new equipment or duties, demonstrate unsafe practices, or when changes in the work create new hazards.

JSA Review

This JSA shall be reviewed with affected employees before work begins.

The JSA shall be revised or supplemented when:

• The crane, rigging, load, or lifting method changes.
• The work area or ground conditions change.
• New hazards are identified.
• Weather or environmental conditions affect the lift.
• An incident, dropped load, rigging failure, or near miss occurs.
• Existing controls are ineffective.
• Employees identify additional hazards.