Crane Training and Safety

The movement of metal at all of our locations is our number one safety risk. Learn more about how you can stay safe when you’re near cranes.

Written by: Tony Dominic, Vice President - Safety, Health and Environment

At Olympic Steel, Inc, Crane Operator Training is critically important. The movement of metal at our divisions/locations is our number one safety risk based on frequency and potential high severity. 

INDUSTRY REGULATIONS

The OSHA requirements for cranes can be found in 29 CFR 1910.179 of the OSHA regulations. The Operator Training Requirements for Overhead Bridge Cranes can be found in the ASME B30.2 standard. 

1. The company and the standards require that prior to permitting any employee to operate a crane (except for training purposes), the company shall ensure that each operator has successfully completed Crane Operator Training, even if they have prior experience.
2. Both the classroom and hands-on training must be completed prior to an employee operating a crane at Olympic Steel.
3. An employee may operate a crane while being supervised by a trainer to gain experience.
4. Crane Operators must also receive refresher training annually (every year).
5. Like forklifts, people providing crane training must take a “Train-the-Trainer” class every three years to maintain their credentials.
6. Retraining of Crane Operators should happen after any of the following events:
7. The operator has been observed to operate the crane in an unsafe manner,
8. The operator has been involved in an accident or near-miss incident,
9. The operator is assigned to operate a different type of crane; or
10. A condition in the workplace changes in a manner that could affect safe operation of the crane (i.e. construction, new equipment, new aisles/routes). 

WHY THIS MATTERS

Incidents related to cranes have the potential to be devastating. Previously, we’ve shared key subjects to include in any crane safety plan. Below are ways to help ALL EMPLOYEES stay safe when in a facility with cranes. Whether your job takes you to the production floor rarely or often, every employee who is near an operating overhead crane, even just once in a while, should remember the following:

• Stay alert and pay attention to warning signals from the crane. Do you know what the crane’s warning signal at your division sounds like?
• Never stand or walk under a load, whether it’s moving or stationary.
• If a crane is in motion or carrying a load, know where it’s going before you go where you’re going.
• Always warn others of moving and approaching overhead loads.
• Never distract signal persons or operators of the overhead equipment while they are performing their job.
• Always obey warning signs, lights and sirens - especially those that are in critical areas.
• All employees in an area where overhead cranes are in operation must wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

If overhead or gantry cranes are used in your facility, it’s a good idea to attend a general awareness crane safety training class to fully understand the hazards associated with cranes. And, more importantly, to understand ways to identify and avoid those hazards while in proximity to a crane. Reach out to your division’s Safety contact for more information about crane safety and training classes that might benefit you.

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about crane training for operators or otherwise, please reach out to your local Safety leader or Tony Dominic, Vice President – Safety, Health and Environment, at Tony.Dominic@olysteel.com.

Safety First. Always. And, it starts with me.