Employee Login
2601 Market Place, Suite 200, Harrisburg, PA 17110   |   CALL US: 717.657.0909
SAFETY GUIDES THE PROCESS. ALWAYS.

Safety Talks

We are committed to construction safety. It is a commitment and the first core value that we have built into our culture.

CRANE PLANNING

Dec 8, 2025

For construction, there are two major categories of cranes: Static Cranes and Mobile Cranes. This document focuses on planning for mobile cranes.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that approximately 44 people die in crane-related accidents each year. Improper crane assembly is a major cause of boom collapses, which lead to crane accidents. Most fatal crane injuries involve workers being struck by the boom or load, or coming into contact with power lines.

ISSUES:

  • Lack of planning, including no (THA) Task Hazard Analysis, Accident Protection Plan, or detailed Critical Lift Plan

  • 20% of issues are due to the operator or crane

  • 80% of issues are due to rigging “below the hook”

SOURCES OF HAZARDS – GENERAL:

  • Production dominance

  • Lack of extensive planning

  • Failure to recognize hazards

OPERATOR AND CRANE:

  • Operator not trained or evaluated on the specific crane

  • Annual crane inspection not completed

  • Daily crane inspection not completed

  • Failure to know foundation limitations

  • Overloading

  • Failure to evaluate the crane work zone

RIGGING:

  • Improper training or lack thereof

  • Sling failures due to inspection protocol violations

  • Improper sling angles

  • Load shifting

  • Lack of Control Access Zones (CAZs)

  • Lack of “STOP WORK” authority or application

REGULATIONS:

OSHA Standard Subpart CC 1926.1435(b)(1) – Sections 1926.1403 (Assembly/Disassembly—selection of manufacturer or employer procedures), §1926.1404 (Assembly/Disassembly—general requirements), §1926.1405 (Disassembly—additional requirements for dismantling of booms and jibs), and §1926.1406 (Assembly/Disassembly—employer procedures—general requirements) apply to tower cranes (except as otherwise specified). For tower cranes, the term “assembly/disassembly” is replaced by “erecting, climbing, and dismantling,” and the term “disassembly” is replaced by “dismantling.”

OSHA Standard Subpart CC 1926.1402(a)(1) defines ground conditions as the ability of the ground to support the equipment, including slope, compaction, and firmness.

OSHA Standard Subpart CC 1926.1408(a)(2) requires determining whether any part of the equipment, load line, or load (including rigging and lifting accessories), when operated to the equipment’s maximum working radius, could come within 20 feet of a power line. If so, the employer must meet the requirements of Option (1), Option (2), or Option (3) of this section.

OSHA Standard Subpart CC 1926.1412(c)(1) requires that upon completion of assembly, the equipment be inspected by a qualified person to ensure it is configured according to manufacturer criteria.

OSHA Standard Subpart CC 1926.1417(a) requires employers to comply with all manufacturer procedures applicable to equipment operation, including the use of attachments.

OSHA Standard Subpart CC 1926.1417(c)(1) requires that operating procedures, including rated capacities (load charts), recommended operating speeds, special hazard warnings, instructions, and the operator’s manual, be readily available in the cab at all times.

OSHA Standard Subpart CC 1926.1417(d) states that operators must not engage in activities that divert attention while operating equipment, such as using cellular phones, except for signal communications.

OSHA Standard Subpart CC 1926.1424(a)(1) applies where accessible areas exist in which the equipment’s rotating superstructure poses a foreseeable risk.

OSHA Standard Subpart CC 1926.1424(a)(3)(i) requires that before an employee enters a hazard area out of the operator’s view, the operator must be informed.

OSHA Standard Subpart CC 1926.1427(a) establishes general operator requirements, including training, certification/licensing, and evaluation prior to operating equipment covered under Subpart CC.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION – MOBILE CRANES:

  • These cranes are used in a single space and move loads along a predetermined path

  • They are designed to lift and move heavy loads along a preset path

  • They are designed to accomplish pre-planned tasks

  • As the name implies, these cranes are designed to move around the jobsite during construction

  • They are intended for temporary use in any given area

  • They frequently feature a telescoping arm to reach higher elevations

TYPES OF MOBILE CRANES:

  • Crawler

  • Rough-terrain

  • All-terrain

  • Vehicle-mounted

  • Carry deck

PLANNING TOOL REQUIREMENTS FOR SITE AND SUB-CONTRACTORS:

  • Completed (THA) Task Hazard Analysis / Accident Protection Plan for crane assembly, use, and teardown. Contractors may use their own format or request a model form from SRMS.
    Note: This must be submitted and approved at least 7 days prior to the lift.

  • Annual crane inspection and (LM) lifting machine certification. An inspection sticker is required on the LM. A photo of the inspection sticker or written proof must be submitted pre-lift and physically present on the LM on the day of the lift.

  • (CLP) Critical Lift Plan documentation including safe working loads and specific flight plans for each load, including:
    a. Correct capacities and load information based on lift radius and load weight
    b. Written (LFZ) Lift Failure Zone protection plan for the documented load path
    c. Written (CAZ) Control Access Zone plan ensuring no personnel are under suspended loads
    d. Engineered LFZ evaluation and plan if the load travels over occupied space

  • Details of crane and outrigger placement, including drawings/maps specific to the site identifying:
    a. Power lines
    b. Storm drains
    c. Gas and water lines
    d. Road locations

  • Traffic control and staging plans related to unloading zones, including required permits:
    a. Road closure information or permits
    b. Flagger and traffic control responsibilities and procedures

  • Operator checklist:
    a. NCCCO certification
    b. State operator license, if required
    c. Annual evaluation of the operator on the specific crane per OSHA 1926.1427(f)(1), available on site on the day of the lift

  • Rigging checklist:

    • Rigger certifications or skill training documentation

    • Sling inspection documentation

  • Established communication procedures for crane operators, riggers, and mechanics

  • Fall protection procedures established and followed per OSHA standards

IMPORTANT DO’S FOR MOBILE CRANES:

  • Do use the right crane for the right jobsite and application

  • Do conduct extensive planning before lifting

  • Do ensure all operator credentials are reviewed

  • Do require and review a Critical Lift Plan

  • Do analyze environmental conditions for crane placement (storm drains, utilities, excavations)

  • Do ensure all riggers are qualified

  • Do conduct a documented pre-lift meeting on the day of the lift

  • Do establish CAZs for workers and pedestrians

  • Do ensure all employees involved are physically and mentally capable

IMPORTANT DON’TS FOR MOBILE CRANES:

  • Don’t consider any crane pick “routine”

  • Don’t use cranes without documented inspections

  • Don’t assume all riggers are trained

  • Don’t allow anyone under a suspended load or within the load failure zone

  • Don’t operate beyond crane limitations

  • Don’t forget weather and ground conditions can change daily

  • Don’t lift loads that are not level and plumb unless engineered and approved

  • Don’t forget to follow OSHA regulations for fall protection and access

Contact Us Today

Quandel Enterprises can help you achieve your commercial construction goals.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Check Out More Articles

Read more of our informational articles below!