Crane Base Fencing Safety Regulations in British Columbia

This document outlines the safety regulations and requirements in British Columbia for crane base fencing, focusing on public protection and site safety compliance. It is based on the British Columbia Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.

General Requirements

Cranes and hoists must be designed, constructed, assembled, erected, climbed, repositioned, adjusted, disassembled, dismantled, inspected, maintained, and operated as specified by the manufacturer or a professional engineer, and must meet the requirements of applicable standards. [6]

The regulations apply to cranes and hoists that meet a standard specified in Section 14.2 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and to any other equipment with a different primary design function that is being used in a hoisting or lifting application. [6]

Public Protection and Site Safety

Perimeter guarding or guardrails and a gate must be provided at the lower landing for a chimney hoist. [9]

If a hazard is created by the swing or shearing movement of a load, cab, counterweight, or any other part of a crane or hoist, the operator must not move the equipment when a person is within range of the swing or shearing movement. A person must not enter or remain within the range of the swing or shearing movement of the load or equipment if a hazard is created. [7] [7]

Equipment must be positioned so that no moving part of the equipment will come within 60 cm (2 ft) of any obstruction in any area accessible to workers. If the clearance cannot be provided, entry to such areas must be prevented by barriers or other effective means. [7] [7]

Specific Requirements for Tower Cranes

Tower crane structures must be kept clean and free of concrete and other debris that can hinder inspection, and the base area must be clear of debris and the accumulation of water. [5]

Audible warnings must be installed on cranes or hoists, unless operated by pendant or remote control with the operator in a safe position near the load. The operator must sound a warning signal when necessary to alert workers to hoisting operations. [4] [4]

Inspection and Maintenance

Cranes and hoists must be inspected and maintained to ensure every component can perform its design function with an adequate safety margin. Any condition that could endanger workers must be remedied before use. [10] [10]

Records of inspection and maintenance must be kept for cranes or hoists with a rated capacity of 900 kg (2,000 lbs) or more, cranes or hoists used to support a worker, tower cranes, mobile cranes, boom trucks, sign trucks, side boom tractors, pipe layers, construction material hoists, chimney hoists, logging truck trailer reload hoists, and any other type of hoisting equipment specified by the Board. [8] [8] [8] [8] [8] [8] [8] [8] [8] [8]

Pre-Use Inspection

Before using a crane or hoist, the operator must ensure that the crane or hoist was inspected for that work shift and that the control and safety devices were tested for that work shift. The inspection and testing must be carried out as specified by the manufacturer, in applicable design or safety standards, and in the Regulation. Any defects found must be recorded and reported immediately to the supervisor, who must determine the course of action. [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2]

Operator Qualifications and Certification

A crane or hoist must only be operated by a qualified person who has been instructed to operate the equipment. The person must demonstrate competency, including familiarity with the operating instructions and the code of signals for hoisting operations. [2] [2]

As of July 1, 2007, a mobile crane, tower crane, or boom truck must be operated only by a person with a valid operator's certificate issued by a person acceptable to the Board, and in accordance with any conditions stipulated on the certificate. [2] [2] [2]

Emergency Preparedness

Before a chimney hoist is used, a plan must be developed for the evacuation of personnel from the cage in the event of loss of power or equipment malfunction. Personnel and equipment must be immediately available to implement the plan. [1] [1]

Crane Safety around High Voltage Equipment

Before operating a crane or hoist near a source of induced voltage, such as a radio transmitter or energized high voltage electrical equipment, the crane or hoist must be effectively grounded, any induced electric charge on the load must be dissipated, and flammable materials must be removed from the work area. A crane or hoist must be operated in a manner that prevents any part of the crane or hoist from coming within the minimum distance of energized high voltage electrical conductors or equipment as specified in Part 19 (Electrical Safety). [11] [11] [11] [11] [11]

Crane Modifications and Repairs

Each crane or hoist must be assembled, erected, climbed, repositioned, adjusted, disassembled, dismantled, inspected, maintained, and operated as specified by the manufacturer's manual, unless otherwise approved by the original equipment manufacturer or a professional engineer. If a modification that affects the rated capacity or safe operation is made, the crane or hoist must be assessed, have its rated capacity adjusted, and be certified as safe for use by the original equipment manufacturer or a professional engineer. Modifications must be recorded in the inspection and maintenance records system, and equipment operation and maintenance manuals must be revised as necessary. [8] [8] [8] [8] [8] [8] [8] [8] [8]

Reporting Crane Activity

Every employer responsible for a crane activity at a workplace, and either the owner or any person engaged by the owner to be the prime contractor, must ensure that specific information is kept up to date and made readily available at the workplace. [3]

Conclusion

Compliance with the B.C. Occupational Health and Safety Regulation is essential for ensuring the safety of the public and workers during crane operations. Regular inspections, proper maintenance, qualified personnel, and adherence to safety protocols are critical for preventing accidents and maintaining a safe working environment.

Safety powered by SALUS