Section 385. Mobile crane requirements for personnel hoisting

A. The rated capacity of the crane at the radius at which the lift will be made shall be divided by four and this limit shall not be exceeded.

B. A full-cycle operational test lift shall be made prior to lifting of employees. The platform shall carry twice the intended load during the test lift.

C. All lifts shall be made in accordance with the manufacturer's lifting recommendations.

D. The stability of the footing shall be verified during the full-cycle operational test.

E. The load line on which the platform is suspended will have controlled load lowering. The free-fall option shall not be used with suspended work platforms.

F. The operating mechanism of the clutch of every man-hoist drum shall be provided with a locking mechanism, or interlocked electrically or mechanically with the brake, to prevent accidental withdrawal of the clutch.

G. Any boom crane used to hoist personnel shall be equipped with a brake or brakes which shall be capable of holding the work platform at any point.

H. Lifting bridles on working platforms suspended from cranes shall consist of four legs so attached that the stability of the platform is ensured. The lifting bridle on working platforms suspended from cranes shall be secured by a shackle or attached by a closed hook which cannot open due to load position in the hook.

I. Platform requirements.

1. The platform and its components must be capable of supporting, without failure, at least four times the maximum intended load.

2. The platform shall be enclosed with a guardrail system including a top guardrail of approximately 42 inches, a midrail, and a toe-board capable of keeping personnel and materials secured.

a. The number of employees to be hoisted shall be kept to a minimum and in no case shall the number exceed four.

b. Employees using the platform shall be considered to weigh 250 pounds each.

c. The platform shall not be used during high winds and electrical storms or other adverse weather conditions which could endanger employees on the platform.

d. A safety cable shall be attached from the hook to the work platform which would be capable of supporting the suspended load in an upright position in the event of a failure of the main lifting bridle.

e. Personnel shall not ride on the work platform with supplies, materials, or tools other than small hand tools.

f. A standard code of hoisting signals shall be used; one person shall be designated to give hoisting signals.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1998.

Statutory Authority

§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.