Crane Operations and Lifting Equipment Risk Assessment

Assessment Date: [DATE]

Assessor: [ASSESSOR NAME]

Department/Area: [DEPARTMENT/AREA]

Review Date: [REVIEW DATE]

1. Assessment Scope

This risk assessment covers all crane operations and the use of lifting equipment on the construction site. It includes the lifting of materials and equipment, but excludes the lifting of personnel unless specifically addressed. The assessment considers all phases of crane operation, including setup, operation, and dismantling.

2. Risk Assessment Methodology

The risk assessment methodology used is a 5x5 risk matrix, where likelihood and severity are assessed for each hazard. The risk rating is determined by the intersection of likelihood and severity. Control measures are identified following the hierarchy of controls: Elimination, Substitution, Engineering controls, Administrative controls, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

3. Risk Matrix Reference

The following matrix is used to evaluate risk levels based on likelihood and severity:

		Likelihood
Rare	Unlikely	Possible	Likely	Almost Certain
Severity	Catastrophic	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	High
Major	Low	Medium	Medium	High	Extreme
Moderate	Medium	Medium	High	Extreme	Extreme
Minor	Medium	High	Extreme	Extreme	Extreme
Negligible	High	Extreme	Extreme	Extreme	Extreme

4. Hazard Identification and Risk Evaluation

1. Crane Overload

Potential Consequences: Crane collapse, dropped load, serious injury or fatality to workers and public.

Affected Persons: Crane operator, riggers, workers in the vicinity, public.

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Catastrophic	Extreme

Control Measures

• Ensure crane operator is trained and certified. "Prior to being allowed to operate the crane/equipment, the employer must train each operator on the safe operation of the type of crane/equipment the operator will be using."
• Verify load weight before lifting. "the operator has determined the accurate weight of the load; and (b) the load is less than the rated load for the operating conditions."
• Use load moment indicator (LMI) and overload protection systems.
• Regularly inspect and maintain the crane and lifting equipment.
• Do not exceed the crane's rated capacity. "An employer or contractor shall not require or permit the operator of a hoist, crane or lifting device to raise any load that is greater than the rated load determined by the manufacturer of the equipment or a professional engineer for the conditions in which the equipment is to be operated."

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Major	Medium

2. Dropped Load

Potential Consequences: Impact injury, crushing injury, fatality.

Affected Persons: Workers in the fall zone, public.

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Catastrophic	Extreme

Control Measures

• Use proper rigging techniques and equipment.
• Ensure all loads are properly secured.
• Implement a drop zone and exclusion zone.
• Regularly inspect rigging equipment for damage or wear.
• Hooks must be equipped with self-closing latches or self- locking devices, unless a qualified person determines that it is safer to hoist and place the load without latches (or with the latches re- moved/tied back or otherwise disabled).

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Major	Medium

3. Crane Contact with Power Lines

Potential Consequences: Electrocution, fire, equipment damage.

Affected Persons: Crane operator, ground crew, nearby workers.

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Catastrophic	Extreme

Control Measures

• Maintain safe clearance distances from power lines.
• Use a spotter to monitor power line proximity.
• De-energize or insulate power lines when possible.
• Install proximity warning devices on cranes.
• Allowing crane operation near electric power lines only when the requirements of WAC 296-155-53408, and any additional requirements determined by the site supervisor, have been met

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Rare	Catastrophic	High

4. Unstable Ground Conditions

Potential Consequences: Crane tip-over, equipment damage, injury to personnel.

Affected Persons: Crane operator, nearby workers.

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Major	High

Control Measures

• Assess ground conditions before crane setup.
• Use outriggers and stabilizers on firm footing. The crane must be located on firm footing and a qualified per- son must determine that the footing is sufficiently firm and stable. Outriggers or stabilizers must be extended, blocked and locked accord- ing to manufacturer's recommendations, if the crane is equipped with them.
• Use ground mats or cribbing to distribute weight.
• Monitor ground conditions for changes during operation.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Moderate	Medium

5. Improper Rigging

Potential Consequences: Load slippage, dropped load, equipment damage, injury to personnel.

Affected Persons: Riggers, crane operator, workers in the vicinity.

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Major	High

Control Measures

• Use qualified and trained riggers. A qualified rigger is required whenever employees are engaged in hooking, unhooking, or guiding the load, or in the initial connec- tion of a load to a component or structure.
• Inspect rigging equipment before each use. A qualified rigger (a rigger who is also a qualified person) must inspect the rigging prior to each shift.
• Use the correct type and size of rigging for the load.
• Follow proper rigging procedures and techniques.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Moderate	Medium

6. Swing or Roll of Load

Potential Consequences: Workers being struck by the load, stacked material being knocked over, damage to equipment.

Affected Persons: Workers in the vicinity of the load.

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Moderate	Medium

Control Measures

• Anticipate the direction of the swing or roll and work away from it.
• Never place yourself between material, equipment, or other stationary objects and the load.
• Stay away from stacked material that may be knocked over by a swinging load.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Minor	Low

5. General Control Measures

• Conduct daily pre-shift inspections of cranes and lifting equipment. Cranes being used in steel erection activities must be visu- ally inspected prior to each shift by a competent person.

Use a checklist to ensure all critical components are inspected.

• Ensure all personnel involved in crane operations are properly trained and qualified. Ensuring that personnel involved in crane operations under- stand and are correctly performing their assigned duties, and under- stand the associated hazards

Provide documented training and competency assessments.

• Establish and enforce clear communication protocols between the crane operator, riggers, and signal person. Assigning qualified signal person(s) and conveying that in- formation to the crane operator

Use standard hand signals or radio communication.

• Implement a comprehensive lift plan for all crane operations.

The lift plan should include load weight, rigging, crane configuration, and potential hazards.

• Maintain a safe distance from the load. Where available, hoisting routes that minimize the exposure of employees to hoisted loads must be used.

Establish exclusion zones and use tag lines to control the load.

6. Emergency Preparedness

• In the event of a crane failure or dropped load, immediately evacuate the area and notify emergency services.
• Provide first aid and medical assistance to any injured personnel.
• Investigate all incidents to determine the root cause and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure that the preparation of the area needed to support crane operations has been completed before crane operations commence

7. Training Requirements

• Crane Operator Training: Training on crane operation, load charts, rigging, and safety procedures. Prior to being allowed to operate the crane/equipment, the employer must train each operator on the safe operation of the type of crane/equipment the operator will be using.
• Rigger Training: Training on proper rigging techniques, equipment inspection, and load securement. A qualified rigger is required whenever employees are engaged in hooking, unhooking, or guiding the load, or in the initial connec- tion of a load to a component or structure.
• Signal Person Training: Training on standard hand signals and communication protocols. Assigning qualified signal person(s) and conveying that in- formation to the crane operator
• Fall Protection Training: Training on the use of fall protection equipment when working at heights.
• Electrical Safety Training: Training on the hazards of working near power lines and safe clearance distances.

8. Monitoring and Review

Review Frequency: Annually, or after any incident or near-miss

Monitoring Type	Frequency	Responsible Party	Description
Regular Inspection	Daily	Competent Person	Inspect cranes and lifting equipment for any defects or damage. Cranes being used in steel erection activities must be visu- ally inspected prior to each shift by a competent person.
Performance Indicator	Monthly	Safety Manager	Track and analyze crane-related incidents and near misses.
Audit	Annually	Safety Auditor	Conduct a comprehensive audit of crane operations and safety procedures.
Observation	Weekly	Site Supervisor	Observe crane operations to ensure compliance with safety procedures.

9. Special Circumstances

• High winds can affect crane stability and load control. Prohibit cranes/equipment from hoisting when the wind speed exceeds the crane's/equipment's maximum wind speed limitation. A wind speed direction indicator shall be used;
• Night work reduces visibility and increases the risk of accidents. Ensure adequate lighting is provided.
• Lifting loads over occupied buildings requires a plan for minimizing public exposure. When lifting loads over occupied buildings, a plan for mini- mizing public exposure must be developed and utilized prior to the lifting beginning.

Approval and Sign-off

This risk assessment has been reviewed and approved by:

Assessor: _________________________ Date: __________

Manager/Supervisor: _________________________ Date: __________

Safety Representative: _________________________ Date: __________

This risk assessment must be reviewed annually, or after any incident or near-miss or when significant changes occur.

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